Exercise Specialist - Preventive Cardiology

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

6/26/2026

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

930021BD

Job Title:

Exercise Specialist - Preventive Cardiology

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Preventive Cardiology Clinic Manager this position is responsible for supervising and providing a safe exercise environment for Phase 2 and 3 cardiac rehabilitation patients and performing exercise tolerance tests under medical supervision. This position will provide assessment in developing multi-disciplinary treatment plans for those at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Based upon clinical experience, incumbent may develop multi-disciplinary treatment plans to meet clinical and education needs of heart patients in the hospital or clinical setting. Assistance in developing these multidisciplinary treatment plans would be provided by Clinic Manager and clinical exercise physiologists when needed. 

Problems encountered are of a low-moderate level of difficulty and can usually be solved by referring to the Clinic Manager or senior clinical exercise physiologist.  Complex medical situations may occur requiring a high degree of skill; i.e. patient resuscitation and assessing medical status.  Good communication skills are necessary to manage and provide quality patient care.  General supervision may be provided by the Clinic Manager.   A wide variety of internal and external professional relationships are involved in performance of the duties of this position.  The incumbent interacts with internal employees at all levels; i.e. medical, clerical and administrative. External contacts necessary in this position include outside referring physicians, students, patients and families.  The clinical site for providing patient care may change. As a result, the incumbent must be willing and flexible to change work location.  This position may perform any combination of the responsibilities listed in this position description.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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Administer pre-test interview, medical history and test preparation.

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Demonstrate mastery in the use of testing equipment, protocol selection, indications and contraindications, and termination criteria for graded exercise testing. This includes use of testing equipment for cardiopulmonary or pediatric stress tests.

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Administer sub-maximal and maximal exercise tests on low and high risk populations and determine appropriate endpoints.

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Record, analyze, and interpret results of test and prepare appropriate exercise prescriptions if necessary.

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Provide technical support for resting 12-lead ECG, holter and event monitors.

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Complete needs assessment on referred patient to develop a multidisciplinary treatment plan which includes: exercise, risk factor intervention and psychosocial needs.

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Demonstrate appropriate patient assessment to include physical, emotional and social status.

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Assist in conducting supervised cardiopulmonary rehab sessions.

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Demonstrate knowledge of proper exercise guidelines for low, moderate and high risk populations and modify exercise prescription due to changes in medical status, medications or environmental conditions.

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Evaluate and document hemodynamic, electrocardiographic, and symptomatic responses to exercise and assess appropriateness of responses and exercise intensity.

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Educate patients in principles of exercise theory, risk factor modification and other behavioral modifications. Refer patients to appropriate services and materials as needed.

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Document progress note in electronic medical record and send results to referring provider.

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Schedule appropriate follow-up clinic appointments.

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Demonstrate knowledge of proper use of equipment and exercise modalities.

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Demonstrate ability to correctly put ambulatory blood pressure on patient, calibrate instrument and download data.

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Demonstrate ability to provide Vascular Health Screening results to patient and referring health care provider.

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Supervise self-pay exercise classes.

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Work with staff to facilitate an Active Living and Learning Class to include pre-post participant assessments and reports. Actively participate in development of Program.

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Educate patients and families in principles of exercise theory, risk factor modification and other behavioral modifications. Use a variety of educational aids based on cognitive assessment and readiness to learn.

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Facilitate referral to outpatient cardiac rehab program.

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Assist clinical exercise physiologist with metabolic cardiopulmonary stress tests.

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Demonstrate working knowledge chest tubes, multiple IV’s and balloon pumps in order to functionally assess hemodynamic responses to ambulation/exercise.

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Document assessments, education provided and clinical recommendations in electronic medical record

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Participate in daily rounds for CVM and CTS services.

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

X

Clinical

Will provide all patients age and culturally appropriate assessment/screening and interpretation of clinical and laboratory data. Develops and implements age appropriate interventional plans of care including education within the parameters of their position responsibilities and licensure

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor's Degree

in exercise science, exercise physiology or kinesiology with emphasis in cardiac rehabilitation and diagnostic exercise testing

Required

Successful completion of supervised cardiac rehab internship

Required

2 years

of clinical experience in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation setting

Preferred

Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR certification

within 90 Days

Required

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification

within 90 Days

Required

Current ACSM Clinical Exercise Specialist certification

Preferred

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

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Experience and working knowledge of Windows software system

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

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Sedentary: Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10 lbs.

Negligible Weight

No Weight

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Light: Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all of these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that they can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

11-25 lbs.

1 - 10 lbs.

Negligible weight

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Medium: Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. If someone can do medium work, we determine that they can also do sedentary and light work.

26-50 lbs.

11-25 lbs.

1 - 10 lbs.

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Heavy: Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. If someone can do heavy work, we determine that they can also do medium, light, and sedentary work.

51-100 lbs.

26-50 lbs.

11-25 lbs.

☐

Very Heavy: Very heavy work involves lifting objects weighing more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more. If someone can do very heavy work, we determine that they can also do heavy, medium, light, and sedentary work.

Over 100 lbs.

Over 50 lbs.

Over 25 lbs.

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.