Clinical Exercise Physiologist

Reporting to the designated Physiotherapy Site Leader, and/or receiving guidance and support from the Professional Practice Leader and/or the Research Education and Practice Coordinator, the position supports the interdisciplinary program/team, which is under the direction of the Patient Care Manager, by

• Providing and implementing exercise prescriptions based on the results of patient's exercise stress tests or metabolic tests and clinical status, and monitors patients' responses to exercise.
• Provides education to patients and their families and other health care professionals.
• As a member of the Healthy Heart team, consults with and maintains ongoing communication with all team members and the community at large, and participates in team business and planning for the Healthy Heart Program.
• Provides mentorship, education and clinical supervision for undergraduate and graduate students as required.

Education

• Bachelor's degree from a recognized program such as exercise physiology, or Kinesiology, plus two (2) years of recent related experience as a clinical exercise physiologist in a tertiary care cardiac rehabilitation environment.
• Eligibility for registration/membership with the appropriate professional association and eligible for registration with the Canadian Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (CACPR).
• Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist with either the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or with the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiologists (CSEP).

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of 12 lead ECG interpretation.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with patients, families, team members and the community.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to teach.

• Competitive salary: $40.19 - $50.20 CAD per hour, depending on experience 
• Comprehensive benefits: Eligible employees receive a robust medical and dental benefits package, including unlimited physiotherapy and massage, as well as paid vacation.
• Pension plan: Work towards a comfortable retirement through employer-matched contributions to one of Canada's strongest pension plans! 
• Meaningful impact: Your dedication and expertise will directly impact the lives of patients, including many from marginalized communities.  
• Growth opportunities: We welcome individuals at all stages of their career, offering opportunities for professional development and growth.
• State-of-the-art facilities:  The new St. Paul’s Hospital and health campus will be the most innovative approach to the delivery of integrated care in B.C. and Canada, designed to appropriately address the future health needs of patients, families and our communities. From hospital care to primary and community health solutions, the new St. Paul’s Hospital and health campus will continue to lead innovations in care, research, and teaching. The new St. Paul’s Hospital is expected to open in 2027.
• Inclusive culture: We respect the diversity, dignity and interdependence of all persons. We value the cultural richness that our diverse workforce brings to the care of our equally diverse population of patients and residents. 

Your Day to Day

• Reviews physician reports related to clinical stress and metabolic test data and cardiac investigations (e.g. MIBI, ECHO etc) for appropriate exercise prescription. Follows up with appropriate health care provider if any questions or further clarity is needed.
• Provides exercise prescription such as aerobic and strength exercises and establishes progression of exercise training based on initial and on-going patient evaluation.
• Designs, conducts and supervises exercise sessions such as interval training and graduated return to running programs that meet the goals of the individual given the limitations of their cardiopulmonary status. Consults with cardiologist and physiotherapists as required.
• Ensures patient safety in exercise class by directing and monitoring exercise leaders, responds to complications and modifies exercise for cardiopulmonary limitations. Before beginning the exercise session, confirms with patient that he/she has complied with the physician's orders and activity levels.
• Educates patients and their families by developing and providing presentations and information sessions and by conducting one-on-one interviews.
• Provides ongoing support for risk factor management by ensuring that an individual's prescribed exercise program considers and addresses all risk factors.
• Ensures that exercise equipment is maintained and makes recommendations to the programme for replacement or purchase of new equipment.
• Provides explanation/application of results of exercise stress testing and related exercise prescriptions for patients and their families and other health care professionals.
• Maintains effective communication with members of the patient care team through informal communication with RN, exercise leader, cardiologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, etc. or through communication with various specialists or family doctors as required. Participates in information sharing through rounds.
• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings regarding planning and implementation of patient care to provide input on patient evaluation and progress and address scheduling and program planning issues in the Healthy Heart Program.
• Maintains patient clinical records pertaining to patient condition and progress, and maintains statistical data for facility and government reporting including the number of patients seen and time.
• Provides education, clinical supervision and evaluation of students as required.
• Participates in clinical research in collaboration with other team members.
• Provides input as to current methods of exercise prescription in the Healthy Heart Program and supervises participants to ensure patient safety and adherence to research protocol.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

We acknowledge that Providence Health Care and the new St. Paul’s Hospital site is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.