Cardiac Rehab Specialist II - UI Heart and Vascular Center

The UI Heart and Vascular Center is seeking a full-time (100%) Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist II to provide exercise assessment, patient education, and supervision of stress tests (treadmill EKG, exercise stress echocardiograms and nuclear stress tests) based on advanced EKG interpretation utilized for rhythm and ischemic changes and physiologic response to aerobic and strength training in a cardiac rehabilitation setting and stress testing environment. This position will provide cross-coverage at both the Iowa River Landing (IRL) and UI Health Care - Main Campus University. 

We are the best heart hospital in Iowa

UI Heart & Vascular Center is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the best hospital in the state for cardiology and heart surgery patient care. The best hospitals nationally received this rating based on patient outcomes, number of high-risk patients seen, patient experience, advanced clinical technologies, and more.

Work authorization in the U.S. is required; sponsorship is not available for this role.

Position Responsibilities

·         Lead, develop, manage, and determine maximal or sub-maximal functional capacity within cardiac ischemic threshold for high-risk inpatients.

·         Determine patient return-to-work status and ability to resume daily living, sport, and sexual activities.

·         Chart assessment findings and interpretations (inpatients and outpatients) prior to implementing exercise plan, document continued care plan post-implementation.

·         Identify real or potential cardiovascular complications prior to, during, or following exercise, and determine the necessity for medical and emergency intervention as well as modification of exercise intensity, duration, and target heart rate. 

·         Perform symptom-limited and maximal graded exercise testing (inpatients and outpatients), 6-miunute walk tests and return-to-work evaluations.

·   Develop and manage at-home and return-to-work exercise plan(s) for high-risk, discharged patients.  Prepare individualized patient education regarding risk factor status and modification plans.

·         Educate patients about coronary artery disese risk factors; counsel patients in smoking cessation.

·         Communicate with attending Cardiologists, Surgeons, Residents/Fellows, Advanced Practice Providers and other Health Care staff to plan care and determine medical management.  Prepare Primary Care Provider and specialists reports.

·         Train Family Practice Residents and Cardiology Fellows how to prescribe exercise for cardiac patients; serve as Teaching Assistant for departmental students and interns.

·         Exercises high-risk patients with VADs (Ventricular Assist Devices) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.  Exercise may be performed in areas other than unit where patient is housed.

·         Responsible for establishing, building and maintaining collaborative and positive working relationships across departments, units, and organizations within a multi-disciplinary, team environment.

·         Perform all other duties as assigned.

UI Health Care—recognized as one of the best hospitals in the United States—is Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center and a regional ref