Exercise Physiologist – Cardiac Rehab (Outpatient)

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center : Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research. Organization: VCH Cardiac Rehabilitation Job Summary: The Exercise Physiologist supports the health and wellness of patients by assessing fitness levels, prescribing safe and effective exercise programs, and providing education to promote long-term health improvements. This role collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to develop and adjust individualized care plans, ensuring optimal patient outcomes through exercise interventions, risk factor management, and education. . Exercise Physiologist – Cardiac Rehab (Outpatient) Location: Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital – Outpatient Rehabilitation Schedule: 4 ten-hour shifts | 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM Early release on Tuesdays (typically around 2:00 PM) Closed on Fridays About the Role Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital is seeking an Exercise Physiologist to join our Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation program as part of the Vanderbilt Health system. This role supports adult cardiac patients recovering from open-heart surgery, STEMI, cardiac catheterization, stent placement, and an increasing population of LVAD and transplant-related patients connected to Vanderbilt’s advanced cardiovascular services. This position is primarily focused on leading structured cardiac rehabilitation exercise classes, which make up approximately 90% of the role, with the remaining 10% dedicated to patient assessments and evaluations. Clinicians typically lead three to four classes per day, with up to six classes on Thursdays. Classes generally consist of 5–10 patients per session, with patient groupings scheduled based on convenience rather than acuity. The Exercise Physiologist works closely with a registered nurse and the interdisciplinary rehab team to monitor patient response to exercise, ensure safety, support recovery goals, and deliver a consistent, high-quality outpatient experience. This role offers the opportunity to build strong patient relationships while working within a predictable schedule in a supportive clinical environment. Key Responsibilities Assess patients’ functional capacity and develop individualized exercise prescriptions based on physician orders, diagnostic testing, and patient goals Lead and supervise group cardiac rehabilitation exercise sessions, ensuring patient safety and adherence to established protocols Continuously monitor patient response during exercise, including telemetry, vital signs, oxygen saturation, and reported symptoms Modify exercise intensity and progression based on patient tolerance, clinical presentation, and approved protocols Provide education to patients and families related to exercise performance, lifestyle modification, and long-term cardiac health Collaborate with registered nurses, physicians, and other members of the healthcare team to support continuity of care Participate in reassessments, progress tracking, and discharge planning, including education on home exercise programs Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, or a related field Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist (ACSM-CEP) – required Minimum of one year of cardiac-related experience in an outpatient, acute care, or skilled nursing setting Strong patient-facing communication skills and comfort leading group exercise sessions Knowledge of cardiac anatomy, physiology, and exercise response in cardiac populations Preferred Qualifications Experience working in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programs Familiarity with ScottCare cardiac rehabilitation documentation systems (VersaCare or Aermos) Experience working with post–open heart, STEMI, stent, LVAD, or transplant-adjacent patient populations Additional cardiac or clinical exercise certifications