Exercise Physiologist, Sr at Brigham & Women's Hospital(BWH) in Boston, Massachusetts

Job Description:

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT: Summarize
the nature and level of work performed.



Under supervision from the Chief Exercise Physiologist, the Lead Senior Exercise Physiologist and the Directors of the Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Imaging Center, the Staff Senior Clinical Exercise Physiologist is primarily responsible for performing cardiac stress tests in a clinically independent manner.


Responsibilities include: performing both standard exercise stress tests, and exercise, pharmacological and Cardio-Pulmonary stress tests within the larger context of various imaging protocols (Nuclear Medicine SPECT and PET/CT, Echocardiogram and MRI), interpreting and reporting ECG and other clinical data, assisting with education and training of fellows, residents and student interns, assisting in ongoing research projects, and assisting in administrative duties as needed.



PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Indicate key areas of responsibility, major job duties, special projects and key objectives for this position. These items should be evaluated throughout the year and included in the written annual evaluation.




For all positions that include direct patient care, indicate with an "X" the age(s) of all patient populations served



No Direct Patient Care


All age groups



X



Adolescence (13 to 17 years)


Neonates (birth to 1 month)


Young Adult (18 to 25 years)


Infant (1 month to1year)


Adult (26 to 54 years)


Early Childhood (12 months to 5 years)


Senior Adult (55 to 64 years)


Late Childhood (6 to 12 years)


Geriatric (65 years and up)

Clinically assess patients prior to testing, decide on adequate informed consent and appropriate procedures to follow, protocols to use, and special precautions if needed. Provide independent and direct supervision of stress testing and if applicable, the technologist assigned to the test (Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Echocardiogram Sonographer, MRI Technologist...).

Conducts independent exercise and pharmacological stress testing and performs the following:

Preparation of patient and equipment prior to testing; including baseline ECG and hemodynamic measurement/interpretation, informed consent and if necessary, preparation of cardiac stress medications and infusion pump.

Provide constant ECG, hemodynamic and equipment monitoring during testing as per established protocols and policies.

Determine appropriate endpoints for test termination; including the ability to recognize clinically unstable and/or hazardous conditions and initiate emergency medical response when necessary (CPR, Code Blue...).

Carefully monitor the patient during post-stress conditions to determine appropriate completion of the recovery period thus facilitating the safe departure of the patient from the testing area.

Communicate effectively with covering physicians concerning any medically hazardous and/or clinically unstable conditions.

Completes the exercise testing data forms and collates the exercise test results into a package of information in preparation for the final report to be approved by the laboratory director or his designate.

Waived Point of Care for blood glucose testing.

Performs regular inspection of all equipment, in accordance with departmental and hospital policies for operation and safety. Ensures proper function and maintenance before lab opens in the morning. Documents inspection and collates information. Follows up with Biomedical Engineering when necessary.

Replenishes station supplies and linen. Lends input as to maintaining supply inventory.

Assists in the development and updating of policy and procedure manuals, program development, as well as maintaining emergency preparedness through departmental in-services and bi-annual recertification.

Assists in orienting and training new clinical exercise physiologists in department policies and protocols.

Assists in the administration and supervision of student internships, residents and fellows in training.

Assists with evaluating and maintaining the quality and quantity of patient care services in relation to:

quality management program

interviewing of prospective employees

counseling, warning and termination of employees

Maintains professional knowledge base by professional organization membership and regular attendance at in-service programs, workshops etc.

Participates in clinical research and teaching/educational activities as deemed appropriate.

The primary responsibility of the exercise physiologist will be to conduct stress tests in an independent manner. However, he/she will also participate in other duties as needed.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:
(MUST be realistic, neither overstated nor understated, and related to the essential functions of the job.)



- Master of Science in exercise physiology required or equivalent experience.


- ASCM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist and /or ASCM Exercise Specialist


preferred.


- ACLS certification required.


- Testing experience in clinical setting required; three years preferred.



SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
(MUST be realistic, neither overstated nor understated, and related to the essential functions of the job.)




SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED



1. Must possess sound medical knowledge, clinical judgment, and analytical abilities necessary for the screening, conduct, and interpretation of stress tests.


2. Demonstrate an extensive and advanced understanding of both normal and pathological cardiopulmonary physiology, exercise metabolism, and abnormal ECG presentations, both at rest and during exercise and pharmacologic stress.


3. Ability to recognize clinical instability during all phases of testing: clinically significant arrhythmia's, evidence of severe ischemia, changes in blood pressure, symptoms, and patient appearance.


4. Ability to initiate management of complications during testing including rhythm disturbances, hypo/hypertension, chest discomfort, and evidence of severe persistent ischemia.


5. Demonstrate competence in responding with the appropriate emergency procedures to situations in the clinical setting that may arise prior to, during, or after exercise.


6. Knowledge of use of standard exercise testing equipment including treadmill, leg and arm ergometers, electrocardiographic monitoring equipment, and metabolic carts. First hand knowledge preferred, use of specific equipment may be learned on job.


7. Work requires the ability to organize and execute an efficient work plan in a large volume, fast turnover team oriented service frequently requiring immediate and rapid decision-making (90% of day).


8. Work requires at least 3 to 6 months of orientation to acquire necessary familiarity with department and hospital policies and procedures and to decide on appropriateness of employee suitability for the position.


9. Possesses refined interpersonal skills in order to effectively communicate, facilitate, and negotiate with patients, staff, physicians and other hospital personnel.


10. Ability to concentrate on details of patient care and respond to questions from patients, doctors, colleagues and other health care providers, which may result in mental stress (80% of day).


11. Ability to effectively manage people of all ages.


12. Work requires a high level of knowledge and ability to teach and train student interns and others in the technical aspects of the job, and to departmental/hospital policies and procedures.


13. Ability to stand and walk (80% of day); lift, position, transport patients and equipment for exercise testing (25% of day).



WORKING CONDITIONS:
Describe the conditions in which the work is performed.



1. Works with patient care environments where there are some exposures to communicable disease (up to 25% of work time) and unpleasant odors (up to 10% of work time).


2. Work requires lifting, transporting and positioning of patients and/or equipment (up to 25% of work time), which could result in musculoskeletal strain or injury.


3. Work requires adjustment of equipment (up to 10% of work time), which could result in minor cuts to fingers and hands.


4. Radioactive materials are used for the testing, but the handling of those materials will be done by qualified nuclear technologists. There may be some exposure to low level (harmless), levels of radiation.



5. Work requires flexibility in scheduling to accommodate changes/variations in unit volume needs.



SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
List the number of FTEs supervised.



Supervision of the technicians, students and support staff that is assisting with the conduct of the exercise and pharmacological testing.



FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:
Indicate financial "scope" information, i.e.: size of budget, volume, revenue, etc.



NONE



APPROVAL:



(NAME)


Department Mgr. __________________________ Title: ___________________ Date: ____________


(NAME)


Other, As Appropriate __________________________ Title: ___________________ Date: ___________



PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OF JOB




Indicate requirements and frequency by placing an "X" in the appropriate box.




Work Environment:


Activity




Amount of Time Spent




None




1 - 25%




25 - 50%




50 - 75%




Over 75%



Outdoor weather conditions



ü



Extreme cold (non weather)



ü



Work in high place(s)



ü



Work in confined space(s)



ü



Risk of electrical shock



ü



Risk of radiation exposure



ü



Exposure to blood borne pathogens



ü



Flammable/explosive gases



ü



Toxic / caustic chemicals



ü



Dust or other irritants



ü



Grease or oils



ü



Hazardous specimens



ü



Exposure to lab animals



ü



Infectious / contagious disease



ü



Cleaning agents/chemicals



ü



Hot equipment



ü



Noisy equipment



ü



Humid or wet conditions (non -weather)



ü



Other



Lifting/Carry Requirements of this job




Number of pounds


Amount of Time




1 - 25%




25 - 50%




50 - 75%




Over 75%




Lift


Carry


Lift


Carry


Lift


Carry


Lift


Carry



Up to 10 pounds



X




X



Up to 25 pounds



X




X



Up to 50 pounds


Up to 100 pounds


Over 100 pounds



Push/Pull Requirements of this job:




Number of pounds


Amount of Time




1 - 25%




25 - 50%




50 - 75%




Over 75%




Push


Pull


Push


Pull


Push


Pull


Push


Pull



Up to 10 pounds


Up to 25 pounds


X


X


Up to 50 pounds


X


X


Up to 100 pounds


Over 100 pounds



Physical Activity requirements of this job:


Activity


Amount of Time Spent




None




1 - 25%




25 - 50%




50 - 75%




Over 75%



Stand



ü



Walk



ü



Sit



ü



Use of hands requiring fine motor skills and sense of touch



ü



Move / rotate / bend wrist(s)



ü



Type / use keyboard or other data entry device



ü



Reach with hands & arms



ü



Climb stairs



ü



Climb ladder or other equipment



ü



Drive / operate motor vehicle



ü



Balance



ü



Stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, crawl



ü



Speak



ü



Hear



ü



Taste



ü



Smell



ü



Other



Vision Requirements of this job:


Vision Requirement




Required




Not Required



Close vision



ü



Distance vision



ü



Color vision



ü



Peripheral vision



ü



Depth perception



ü



Ability to adjust focus



ü



Other



Safety equipment used while performing this job:


Safety eye glasses


Gowns


Filter lens (welding/soldering)


Scrubs



ü



Face shields


Boots


Ear plugs or Mufflers


Hard hat


Surgical mask / dust mask



ü



Coveralls


Self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)


Gloves



ü



Other


Level of noise typical in this work environment:


Very quiet


Quiet


Moderate



ü



Loud


Very loud


The above is intended to describe the general contents and requirements of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to construe as an


exhaustive statement of all duties, responsibilities or skills of personnel so classified.



EEO Statement

BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Apply Now