Exercise Physiologist – ACSM-CEP (Cardiac ICU)
Location: Vanderbilt University Medical Center – Nashville, TN
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 7:00 AM–3:30 PM | No Weekends or Holidays
Vanderbilt University Medical Center is seeking an ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) to join the Medical and Surgical Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (Cardiac ICU) within the nationally recognized Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute.
This Exercise Physiologist role focuses on cardiac rehabilitation, early mobility, exercise prescription, and physiologic monitoring for critically ill cardiovascular patients, including those recovering from cardiac surgery, advanced heart failure, ECMO support, and heart transplantation. Working alongside physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and rehabilitation specialists, you will play a vital role in helping patients recover from complex cardiac conditions within an advanced critical care environment.
Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute is home to some of the nation's leading cardiovascular specialists and provides comprehensive care for patients with complex heart and vascular conditions. Patients are referred to Vanderbilt from across the region and throughout the country for advanced treatments and specialized expertise.
Conditions We Treat
Aortic aneurysm, stenosis, and regurgitation
Arrhythmias
Cardiomyopathy and advanced heart failure
Congenital heart defects
Coronary artery disease
Endocarditis
Structural heart disease
Advanced vascular disorders
Nationally Recognized Excellence
Consistently ranked among the nation's leading hospitals for cardiovascular care.
Depth of Experience
One of the busiest and most advanced heart programs in the United States, caring for highly complex cardiac patients.
Specialized Cardiac Programs
Access to nationally recognized programs in heart failure, cardiac electrophysiology, vascular medicine, cardio-oncology, autonomic dysfunction, and geriatric cardiology.
Innovation in Patient Care
Leaders in advanced cardiovascular procedures, ECMO mobility programs, and critical care rehabilitation.
Collaborative Team-Based Care
Work alongside a multidisciplinary team committed to exceptional patient outcomes.
World-Class Transplant Services
One of the nation's premier heart and multi-organ transplant programs.
Practice as a dedicated Exercise Physiologist within a leading Cardiac ICU environment.
Work with advanced heart failure, ECMO, ventricular assist device (VAD), cardiac surgery, and transplant populations.
Deliver innovative ICU-based mobility and exercise interventions.
Collaborate with nationally recognized cardiovascular physicians and critical care specialists.
Help advance one of the nation's most progressive cardiac recovery and rehabilitation programs.
Contribute to improving outcomes for some of the most critically ill cardiovascular patients.
Day One medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits
Tennessee's #1 hospital and nationally ranked academic medical center
One of the nation's largest and most experienced transplant programs
Culture of innovation, collaboration, learning, and professional development
Opportunities for growth, leadership, and continuing education
Perform comprehensive patient assessments and develop individualized exercise prescriptions for critically ill cardiac patients.
Deliver early mobility and therapeutic exercise interventions, including bedside exercise and cycling activities for ICU patients.
Monitor heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and continuous EKG telemetry during exercise sessions.
Recognize abnormal physiologic responses, contraindications, and signs of clinical instability while modifying interventions appropriately.
Support patients recovering from cardiac surgery, advanced heart failure, ECMO therapy, ventricular assist device placement, and heart transplantation.
Collaborate daily with physicians, advanced practice providers, ICU nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
Educate patients and families regarding exercise, recovery progression, and long-term cardiovascular wellness.
Coordinate referrals to outpatient cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation programs.
Document patient care accurately and efficiently within the electronic medical record.
Participate in interdisciplinary rounds, quality improvement initiatives, and program development activities.
Serve as a clinical resource and mentor for Exercise Physiologists, students, and team members.
We are seeking an Exercise Physiologist with experience in:
Cardiac rehabilitation and cardiovascular disease management
Clinical exercise physiology and exercise prescription
Continuous telemetry and EKG monitoring
Heart failure, cardiac surgery, transplant, or ECMO patient populations
Acute care, critical care, Cardiac ICU, CVICU, or hospital-based rehabilitation settings
Early mobility and functional recovery programs
Interdisciplinary patient care within a healthcare or academic medical center environment
Required
ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP)
Minimum of three years of clinical Exercise Physiology experience
Demonstrated experience in cardiac rehabilitation and cardiovascular patient care
Strong clinical judgment and ability to work effectively in acute care or critical care environments
Preferred
Direct experience in a Cardiac ICU or CVICU setting
Experience working with advanced heart failure, ECMO, VAD, or transplant populations
BLS/CPR for Healthcare Providers
Join Vanderbilt Health as an Exercise Physiologist supporting patients in one of the nation's leading cardiovascular and cardiac intensive care programs. Whether your experience includes cardiac rehabilitation, clinical exercise physiology, cardiovascular recovery, or critical care mobility programs, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes while advancing your career within a nationally ranked academic medical center.
Apply today and help shape the future of cardiovascular recovery and critical care rehabilitation at Vanderbilt Health.
