Description
Evaluate, prescribe, and supervise medically based exercise for patients with cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, or orthopedic conditions; perform clinical exercise testing and risk stratification; monitor physiologic responses; educate on lifestyle modification; and coordinate care with the medical team to ensure safe, evidence-based rehabilitation.
- • Conduct symptom-limited graded exercise tests with 12-lead ECG, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation monitoring.
- • Perform cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess VO2, ventilatory thresholds, and hemodynamic responses.
- • Interpret exercise ECGs, vital signs, and symptoms to guide clinical decisions within scope.
- • Develop individualized, medically supervised exercise prescriptions per ACSM/AACVPR guidelines and physician orders.
- • Supervise exercise sessions for low-, moderate-, and high-risk patients, adjusting workloads to physiologic responses.
- • Explain testing procedures, risks, and exercise plans to patients and obtain informed participation.
- • Complete pre-exercise screening, medical history, medication review, and risk stratification.
- • Measure body composition using skinfolds, bioelectrical impedance, circumferences, or hydrostatic methods.
- • Assess pulmonary function with spirometry and monitor oxygen needs during activity.
- • Evaluate functional capacity using METs, RPE, 6-minute walk tests, or other standardized measures.
- • Perform point-of-care testing such as capillary glucose or lipid panels per protocol.
- • Document assessments, exercise prescriptions, session notes, and outcomes in the electronic health record.
- • Track patient progress and modify exercise plans based on data and clinical status.
- • Educate patients and caregivers on physical activity, nutrition basics, medication timing, hydration, and symptom self-monitoring.
- • Teach behavior change and risk-factor classes on weight control, stress management, and smoking cessation.
- • Recommend methods to increase daily lifestyle physical activity and safe home exercise.
- • Provide emergency response and initiate BLS/ACLS protocols for signs of distress.
- • Calibrate, troubleshoot, and maintain ECG systems, metabolic carts, treadmills, and cycle ergometers.
- • Ensure compliance with safety, HIPAA, and accrediting standards for cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation.
- • Coordinate care and communicate findings with physicians, nurses, and other clinicians.
- • Mentor, train, and evaluate staff leading group rehabilitation or conducting tests.
- • Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment and safe movement techniques to patients.
- • Supervise facility and equipment readiness, including infection control and crash cart checks.
- • Recommend additional diagnostic evaluation, such as stress imaging or ambulatory ECG, to the provider when indicated.
- • Plan or participate in clinical research and quality improvement projects.
- • Present program information, outcomes, or research findings to patients, staff, or professional audiences.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
