Exercise Physiologist ll

Massachusetts General Hospital
United States, Massachusetts, Boston
32 Fruit Street (Show on map)
Sep 12, 2025
Under medical supervision, the Clinical Exercise Physiologist is primarily responsible for performing exercise cardiac stress tests in a clinically independent manner. Responsibilities include: performing both standard exercise stress tests, and exercise, pharmacological within the larger context of various imaging protocols (Nuclear Medicine SPECT and PET/CT and MRI), interpreting and reporting ECG and other clinical data, assisting with education and training of fellows, residents, technicians, student interns, assisting in ongoing research projects, and assisting in administrative duties as needed. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: * The primary responsibility of the exercise physiologist will be to conduct stress tests in an independent manner.* 1. Provides direct patient care to patients from late childhood to geriatric. Clinically assess patients prior to testing, decide appropriate procedures to follow, protocols to use, and special precautions if needed. 2. Conducts independent exercise stress testing and performs the following: - Preparation of patient and equipment prior to testing; including baseline ECG and hemodynamic measurement/interpretation. - Provide constant ECG, hemodynamic and equipment monitoring during testing as per established protocols and policies. - Determine appropriate endpoints for test termination; including the ability to recognize clinically unstable and/or hazardous conditions and initiate emergency medical response when necessary (CPR, Code Blue...). - Carefully monitor the patient during post-stress conditions to determine appropriate completion of the recovery period thus facilitating the safe departure of the patient from the testing area. - Communicate effectively with covering physicians concerning any medically hazardous and/or clinically unstable conditions. - Completes the exercise testing data forms and collates the exercise test results into a package of information in preparation for the final report, includes electronic documentation of test data/details, to be approved by the laboratory director or his designate. Performs regular inspection of all equipment, in accordance with departmental and hospital policies for operation and safety. Ensures proper function and maintenance before lab opens in the morning. Documents inspection and collates information. Follows up with Biomedical Engineering and equipment vendors when necessary. QUALIFICATIONS: Master of Science in exercise physiology required ACLS certification required. Independent stress testing experience in clinical setting required; three years preferred. SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED: Must possess sound medical knowledge, clinical judgment, and analytical abilities necessary for the screening, conduct, and interpretation of stress tests. Demonstrate an extensive and advanced understanding of both normal and pathological cardiopulmonary physiology, exercise metabolism, and abnormal ECG presentations, both at rest and during exercise and pharmacologic stress. Ability to recognize clinical instability during all phases of testing: clinically significant arrhythmia's, evidence of severe ischemia, changes in blood pressure, symptoms, and patient appearance. Ability to initiate management of complications during testing including rhythm disturbances, hypo/hypertension, chest discomfort, and evidence of severe persistent ischemia, etc. Demonstrate competence in responding with the appropriate emergency procedures to situations in the clinical setting that may arise prior to, during, or after exercise. Knowledge of use of standard exercise testing equipment including treadmill, leg and arm ergometers, electrocardiographic monitoring equipment, and metabolic carts. First hand knowledge preferred, use of specific equipment may be learned on job. Work requires the ability to organize and execute an efficient work plan in a large volume, fast turnover team oriented service frequently requiring immediate and rapid decision-making (90% of day). WORKING CONDITIONS: Works with patient care environments where there are some exposures to communicable disease (up to 25% of work time) and unpleasant odors (up to 10% of work time). Work requires lifting, transporting and positioning of patients and/or equipment (up to 25% of work time), which could result in musculoskeletal strain or injury. Work requires adjustment of equipment (up to 10% of work time), which could result in minor cuts to fingers and hands. Radioactive materials are used for the testing, but the handling of those materials will be done by qualified nuclear technologists. There may be some exposure to low level (harmless), levels of radiation. Work requires flexibility in scheduling to accommodate changes/variations in unit volume needs. The General Hospital Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.