Exercise Physiologist

Description

Be part of Watertown Regional Medical Center, an acute-care hospital in southeastern Wisconsin that consistently earns national awards for its high-quality care from the likes of Becker's Hospital Review, Chartis, Healthgrades, The Leapfrog Group, and parent company ScionHealth. Watertown Regional's exceptional care across multiple specialty services is also reflected in its numerous accreditations and certifications. Join our team and grow your career in a hospital where everyday excellence meets or exceeds expectations.

Job Summary

Schedule:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Dayshift

The Exercise Physiologist is responsible for evaluating clinical and fitness data to design individualized exercise prescriptions and facilitate lifestyle changes. This role supports patient-centered care through exercise-based interventions, cardiac rehabilitation coordination, patient education, and multidisciplinary team collaboration to promote cardiovascular health and functional improvement.

Essential Functions

Exercise Evaluation & Programming

• Conducts fitness and clinical assessments based on evidence-based protocols.
• Interprets test results and formulates individualized exercise prescriptions.
• Monitors patient progress and adapts exercise plans as appropriate.
• Collaborates with physicians to establish patient-specific exercise goals and secure medical orders.

Patient Interaction & Supervision

• Onboards patients into exercise or cardiac rehabilitation programs.
• Supervises exercise sessions and provides guidance on technique, progression, and adherence.
• Provides timely feedback and support to patients throughout their care journey.
• Educates patients and families on lifestyle changes, functional goals, and health promotion.

Documentation & Data Management

• Completes thorough and accurate documentation in the medical record and data management systems.
• Tracks patient progress, outcomes, and compliance with department and professional standards.
• Prepares reports or outcome metrics for program evaluation and quality improvement.

Safety, Compliance & Facility Maintenance

• Maintains a safe and clean exercise environment, including documentation of equipment maintenance.
• Identifies and reports safety concerns in compliance with policy.
• Assists with emergency response and telemetry monitoring during exercise sessions.

Team Participation & Program Development

• Participates in interdisciplinary care team meetings and communication per HIPAA guidelines.
• Supports specialty programming (e.g., cancer, pulmonary, geriatric fitness) as assigned.
• Assists in community outreach and education events.
• Participates in ongoing education, quality improvement initiatives, and departmental projects.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Proficient in exercise testing, prescription, and risk stratification.
• Strong interpersonal and motivational skills for patient coaching.
• Familiarity with telemetry monitoring and emergency protocols.
• Excellent documentation and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and within an interdisciplinary team environment.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting patients or equipment (up to 75 lbs).
• Regular visual, auditory, and physical stamina for supervising and interacting with patients during physical activity.
• Clinical and fitness environments, including cardiac rehab, hospital-based gyms, and outpatient settings.
• Occasional exposure to bloodborne pathogens and biohazardous materials.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, or a related field required, or active enrollment in an accredited degree program with demonstrated progress toward completion and degree conferral expected within six (6) months of hire.

Licenses/Certifications

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• Nationally recognized certification in clinical exercise physiology preferred (e.g., ACSM-CEP).
• Telemetry certification required within one year of hire.

Experience

• Minimum 1 year of experience in exercise testing, cardiac rehabilitation, or fitness instruction preferred.
• Experience with high-risk or special populations (e.g., cardiac, pulmonary, cancer, geriatrics) strongly preferred.