Exercise Specialist ACSM

FirstHealth of the Carolinas is a nationally recognized health care system located in central North Carolina. Comprised of four hospitals with more than 600 beds, the system also offers leading-edge heart care in the Reid Heart Center, the area’s only dedicated heart and vascular center. Our growing health system has more than 6,200 employees serving in more than 75 locations throughout a 15-county service area. In addition, FirstHealth has received numerous accolades for its patient care and outcomes, including recognitions from Healthgrades, U.S. News & World Report, and Becker's Healthcare. 

FirstHealth of the Carolinas is a nationally recognized health care system in central North Carolina with headquarters in Pinehurst, N.C. FirstHealth of the Carolinas has been nationally recognized as a top 150 place to work in health care by Becker's Healthcare for two consecutive years.

Join our dynamic team as an Exercise Specialist at our cardiac rehabilitation center! You'll play a crucial role in designing and implementing personalized exercise programs for patients recovering from cardiovascular conditions. Collaborate with a dedicated medical team to help patients achieve their health goals and improve their quality of life through tailored exercise prescriptions and comprehensive care.

• Design Individual Exercise Prescriptions: Create customized exercise plans in consultation with the medical director, based on valid training principles and medical diagnoses.
• Monitor and Update Plans: Adjust exercise prescriptions weekly, considering clinical status and patient responses.
• Conduct Physical Examinations: Perform thorough cardiovascular assessments, including heart rate, blood pressure, and inspection for edema and surgical wounds.
• Data Reporting: Accurately report significant clinical data to the appropriate healthcare professionals.
• Develop Risk Reduction Strategies: Create risk factor profiles and strategies for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction.
• Perform Basic Tests: Conduct tests such as blood pressure readings, ECG telemetry, 12-lead ECG, pulse oximetry, blood glucose, and lipid interpretation.
• Collaborate with Healthcare Professionals: Work with other health professionals to develop individualized treatment plans, incorporating patient preferences and goals.
• Revise Exercise Plans: Update exercise plans based on patient outcomes and progress.
• Develop Discharge Plans: Create comprehensive discharge plans detailing exercise intensity, duration, and frequency.
• Maintain Records: Keep detailed records of patient sessions and interpret clinical data.
• Educational Classes: Provide individual and group education on illness, treatment plans, and disease management.
• Patient Counseling: Engage in interactive communication and counseling with patients and their families to support shared decision-making.

• Education: Bachelor's degree in exercise physiology or a related health field; Master's degree preferred.
• Certifications: Certification by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Certified in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS).
• Experience: Minimum of two years of experience in cardiac rehabilitation or a related field. Proven experience in developing, implementing, and updating exercise prescriptions for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), respiratory disease, and vascular disease.
• Skills: Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, excellent communication and collaboration abilities, and proficiency in interpreting EKG and blood pressure responses.