Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Coordinator

Description

We are looking for an experienced clinical exercise physiologist or cardiac rehab RN to help build and manage our cardiac rehabilitation program.

This person will provide patient care while taking responsibility for the daily coordination, clinical documentation and performance of the cardiac program. We want someone who understands what a successful program looks like and can recognize where patients, staff or processes need more attention. Patients entering cardiac rehab may be anxious about exercise or unsure of what they can safely do. The ability to listen, explain the purpose of treatment and build confidence is an important part of this role. Patients should understand their plan and feel supported throughout their recovery. 

What makes this opportunity different

You will help build the program from the beginning, including clinical workflows, patient education, documentation processes and daily routines. Your experience will help shape how the program operates and how patients experience their care. You will report to the clinic director for daily operations and work closely with the cardiac medical director on clinical protocols, patient progression and program requirements. 

Requirements

• Coordinate patient intake and review physician orders, qualifying diagnoses, relevant medical records and information needed for participation 
• Complete initial assessments and risk stratification within your professional scope and established protocols 
• Guide exercise within the physician prescribed plan and monitor ECG, vital signs, symptoms and exercise response. 
• Recognize concerning symptoms or rhythm changes, stop exercise when indicated and activate the emergency response process. 
• Prepare individualized treatment plans with the medical director. Coordinate initial physician approval and physician review and signatures at least every 30 days. 
• Provide education on exercise, cardiac risk factors and strategies for maintaining progress. 
• Complete or coordinate psychosocial and nutrition assessments and connect patients with additional support when needed. 
• Listen to patient concerns, identify barriers to participation and help patients understand the value of completing their prescribed care. 
• Maintain accurate session documentation, reassessments and discharge records within program and payer deadlines. 
• Track visits per FTE, clinician productivity, coding utilization, documentation compliance, no show rates, plan of care compliance and patient satisfaction. 
• Monitor referral conversion, attendance, program completion and clinical outcomes. 
• Review program performance with the clinic director and medical director. Explain what is driving results and recommend specific improvements. 
• Coordinate daily patient flow, session scheduling and clinical staffing with the clinic director based on patient risk and program capacity 
• Confirm required supervising practitioner coverage and arrange appropriate clinical backup before sessions begin. 
• Review charts for required assessments, treatment plans, signatures and documentation supporting medical necessity. 
• Work with billing and authorization staff to address missing information, visit limits, coding questions and denials, including documentation supporting CPT 93798. 
• Address patient concerns and report incidents, clinical changes and unresolved issues promptly. 
• Maintain equipment checks, supplies, emergency readiness and infection control procedures. 
• Support staff onboarding, education, competency tracking and emergency response drills 
• Assist with payer audits and program certification efforts when applicable. 

Who we’re looking for

• An RN with an active Texas license or valid multistate license allowing practice in Texas, or a clinical exercise physiologist with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in exercise physiology, exercise science or a related field. 
• At least two years of direct cardiac rehabilitation experience 
• Experience with monitored exercise, ECG interpretation, risk stratification and individualized treatment plans. 
• A working understanding of Medicare cardiac rehab requirements, including qualifying conditions, required program components, physician treatment plan approval, supervision and session documentation. 
• Familiarity with cardiac rehabilitation billing and documentation supporting CPT 93798. 
• Experience tracking clinical and operational performance and using that information to improve program results. 
• Experience working under a medical director or physician lead. 
• Strong clinical judgment and the ability to respond calmly to changes in patient condition. 
• Someone who communicates clearly, follows through on concerns and helps patients build confidence in their recovery. 
• Current BLS and ACLS certifications. 
• Previous program coordination, chart audit or quality improvement experience is preferred. 
• ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification or experience with AACVPR program certification is preferred. 

Clinical responsibilities will reflect the selected clinician’s credentials and professional scope. The coordinator will work with the clinic director and medical director to ensure the program has appropriate staffing and supervision.