Exercise Physiology Technician- Cardiology Testing (Per Diem)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under supervision, and according to established policies and procedures, provides direct patient assessment and management in the BMC Stress Testing Laboratories and/or Cardiac Rehabilitation & Prevention Program. Duties vary but may include: evaluating and performing stress testing, exercise tolerance tests, stress echocardiograms, dobutamine echocardiograms, metabolic stress tests, exercise nuclear stress tests, pharmacological nuclear stress tests, etc. Calculates and records all necessary parameters, and provides initial interpretation of electrocardiographic tracings for diagnostic purposes.

Position: Exercise Physiology Technician

Department: Cardiology Testing

Schedule: Part Time, Per Diem

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

Stress Testing management responsibilities include:

• Evaluates patients for appropriateness of testing, patient safety, and correct type of test and protocol
• Evaluates and performs stress testing of outpatients and inpatients; including, exercise tolerance tests, stress echocardiograms, dobutamine echocardiograms, metabolic stress tests, exercise nuclear stress tests, pharmacological nuclear stress tests.
• Provides patient information, explains testing methods and procedures, and obtains patient consent
• Selects specific testing protocol according to patient clinical presentation
• Performs ongoing clinical assessment throughout the test by monitoring cardiovascular parameters including symptoms, appearance, heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram
• Determines test duration and test termination as per BMC Stress Testing Lab Policy
• Calculates and records all necessary parameters, and provides initial interpretation of electrocardiographic tracings for diagnostic purposes
• Creates the electronic record of exam, documentation of pertinent exam information, and data entry for charge capture
• Evaluates and communicates findings to medical personnel as required, following departmental practices and procedures
• Responds to medical emergencies for Stress Testing Labs and BMC Non Invasive Cardiovascular Laboratories, and assists-physicians according to BMC Non-Invasive Lab policy.
• Provides education and instruction to hospital personnel and students in methods and theories of stress testing
• Inserts peripheral intravenous lines as needed according to BMC Non Invasive Lab Policy

Nuclear Stress Testing ( specific additional duties to those as outlined above)

• Coordinates patient-specific imaging protocol with physician staff (Cardiology and/or Radiology)
• Assists with pre-exam day patient phone call communication (reminder phone calls)
• Enters basic pre-test patient data and imaging data into Apollo (medical history, radiopharmaceutical doses and administration time, etc.)

Equipment Management

• Ensures that all equipment is in working condition before each test, and troubleshoots all equipment needs
• Manages all technical components of equipment including use of exercise stress test systems, treadmills & bicycles, metabolic cart, vital sign monitors, mobile language interpretation devices
• Ensures recordings are of the best quality for diagnosis according to departmental practices and procedures.
• Monitors Daily Quality Control including: glucometer, electronic refrigerator indicators, and defibrillator
• Maintains equipment and mobilizes service personnel as needed

Cardiac Rehabilitation & Prevention Program management responsibilities include:

• Provides patient orientation to the Cardiac Rehab Program
• Reviews medical evaluation and implements treatment plan as developed by the Program Medical Director
• Develops specific exercise training program and training goals for each individual patient with reference to underlying medical conditions and risks of exercise;
• Performs ongoing clinical assessment throughout sessions by monitoring all relevant cardiovascular parameters
• Coordination & scheduling of all adjunctive rehab services including behavioral medicine, social work, nutrition, and tobacco treatment
• Evaluates and manages periodic Individualized Treatment Plans to achieve comprehensive risk reduction goals, interventions, outcomes, and effectiveness
• Utilizes behavior modification techniques to implement change: goal setting, support, feedback, and patient empowerment
• Educates patients on cardiovascular topics including (but not limited to): Anatomy & Physiology, Cardiac Risk Factors, Stress Management, Exercise, and Medications.
• Assists in the scheduling of ancillary patient needs: interpreters, transportation, parkingetc.
• Completes and maintains clinical documentation of daily sessions, treatment plans, and patient discharge information, using available documentation programs.
• Analyzes cardiac rehab program outcomes for group data as a foundation for quality improvement
• Collaborates and communicates with referring providers, including the provision of a written discharge summary
• Documents and reports exercise sessions, manages appointment scheduling, and initiates and ensures charge capture processes
• Maintains Cardiac Rehab Program standards to meet American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) accreditation requirements
• Develops individual student programs including, supervision, instruction, and training all student interns
• Responds to medical emergencies for Stress Testing Laboratories and BMC Non Invasive Cardiovascular Laboratories, and assists-physicians according to BMC Non-Invasive Lab policy.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Maintains current knowledge in exercise testing and cardiac rehabilitation through regular study of emerging literature, individual instruction by supervising staff, and participation in conferences at the department , local and national level
• Maintains a working knowledge of cardiovascular medications
• Has a working knowledge of 12-lead EKGs and rhythm strip interpretation
• Communicates/collaborates with members of multidisciplinary team (nursing, physicians, sonographers, local health centers, dieticians, behavioral medicine)
• Maintains necessary records and files according to departmental practices and procedures.
• Orders equipment and supplies as needed.
• Actively participates in quality improvement initiatives in the Non-Invasive Cardiac Laboratories
• Demonstrates an ability to manage several concurrent tasks
• Work in flexible, team environment
• Maintains Boston Medical Center Behavioral Standards
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to age groups of adult and geriatric patients regularly served.
• Utilizes BMC Values as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the department and hospital's mission.
• Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.
• Performs other duties as needed.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology or related field (or equivalent combination of education and/or related work experience)

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required.
• ACLS preferred or can be achieved within 6 months of hire

EXPERIENCE:

• At least one year on-the job training (clinical internships/externships counted towards the year requirement).

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Work requires knowledge to effectively utilize the Electrocardiograph, and stress testing procedures, medical terminology and basic sciences such as Physics, Math, Anatomy and Physiology.
• Interpersonal skills sufficient to work directly with patients and effectively interact with physicians, nurses, and other staff members.

Req id: 29002