Senior Cardiac Rehabilitation Therapist

Senior Cardiac Rehab Therapist is a core member of the multidisciplinary cardiovascular care team, responsible to develop, implement and monitor individualized comprehensive treatment plans for patients recovering from cardiac events or living with chronic cardiovascular conditions to optimize patient’s cardiovascular health, functional capacity, and quality of life. This role combines monitored exercise training, education and behavioral modification provide to patients starting from the in-patient settings and continue in out-patient settings over a period of three to four months duration.

Cardiac Rehab therapist works collaboratively with cardiologists, nurses, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to ensure holistic care and bridging care gap for patients.

Key Functions and Responsibilities

1. Patient Assessment and Evaluation

- Conduct comprehensive initial assessments for patients referred to the cardiac rehabilitation program, including review of medical history, current medications, risk factors, and lifestyle habits

- Perform and/or interpret baseline cardiovascular assessments, including electrocardiograms (ECGs), blood pressure measurements, and exercise stress tests results

- Evaluate patients' psychological well-being and readiness for behavior change using validated screening tools

- Identify and prioritize individual patient needs, goals, and potential barriers to participation in cardiac rehabilitation

2. Treatment Plan Development and Implementation

- Develop individualized cardiac rehabilitation treatment plan tailored to each patient's medical condition, risk factors, functional capacity, and personal goals

- Develop individualized exercise prescription, considering patient’s comorbidities or physical limitations

- Implement progressive monitored exercise training sessions, including aerobic exercises, resistance training, and flexibility exercises

- Monitor patients' vital signs, ECG rhythm, and symptoms during exercise sessions to ensure safety and appropriate progression

- Adjust exercise intensity and prescriptions based on patient response and progress

- Perform periodic reassessments of patient’s goals and clinical outcome measures, to evaluate patient’s progress and adjust/progress care plan as appropriate

- Adhere to established safety protocols for cardiac rehabilitation, including emergency response procedures

- Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to integrate various components of cardiac rehabilitation, which may include nutrition counseling, stress management, and smoking cessation support

3. Patient Education and Counseling

- Provide comprehensive education and counseling on cardiovascular disease, risk factors, and lifestyle modifications to enhance secondary prevention

- Provide detailed instructions on how to begin proper exercise program and how to progress safely

- Educate patients on self-monitoring techniques to promote safe and effective independent exercise

- Educate patients on medication adherence and recognition of cardiac symptoms that require medical attention

- Empower patients to develop strategies for long-term adherence to exercise and healthy lifestyle

- Address patients' concerns and provide emotional support throughout the rehabilitation program

Minimum Education Requirement

Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy/ Cardiac Rehabilitation and classified as specialist by SCFHS.

Professional Certifications Requirement

Current BLS Certification. Completion of at least 2 certificate of recognized physical Therapy management methods (e.g. Kenesio taping Technique, Mulligan Technique, dry needeling, PNF....etc) with at least 1 in a specialized PT focused patietn population. (e.g. Sports medicine, pelvic floor, Post op rehab Vestibular Rehab, MLD, Motor relearning...etc) Preferred

Years of Experience

more than 5 years of experience required

Languages

English: Advanced; Arabic: Basic

Functional Competencies

• Due Diligence
• Audit Reporting
• Data Collection