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Cardiac Rehab Exercise Physiologist

Advocate Health · Park Ridge, IL · $25.30–$37.95 an hour · Full time

Posted Oct 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you noticed a patient's symptoms that others had missed.

What they are checking: Whether they observe closely and speak up to the cardiology team.

What would you do

A patient keeps skipping sessions and says they feel fine now. How do you keep them engaged?

What they are checking: Whether they can motivate patients and explain the risk of stopping early.

The posting mentions building referral relationships. How would you get more eligible patients into rehab?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that many cardiac patients are never referred and can work with physicians to fix it.

The schedule rotates 8- and 12-hour shifts with Saturday coverage. How does that work for you?

What they are checking: Whether they can handle the rotating hours the department runs on.

About the work

Walk me through how you use a patient's stress test to write their exercise prescription.

What they are checking: Whether they can turn heart rate, METs and ischemic threshold into a safe, specific prescription.

A patient in phase II rehab develops chest pain and ST changes on the monitor mid-session. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stop exercise, assess, and follow the emergency protocol without hesitation.

How do you adjust a prescription for a patient on beta blockers, where heart rate won't rise normally?

What they are checking: Whether they use perceived exertion and other measures when heart rate targets do not apply.

How do you progress someone after a valve surgery who also has bad knees?

What they are checking: Whether they handle sternal precautions and orthopedic limits together in one plan.

How do you decide with the physician when a patient is ready for a home program or phase III?

What they are checking: Whether they can make and defend a clinical case for progression based on data.

How would you teach a group class on risk factor reduction so people actually change habits?

What they are checking: Whether they can teach diet, smoking and activity changes in practical, personal terms.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 37000 Advocate Lutheran General Hospital - Cardiac Rehabilitation Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 36 Schedule Details/Additional Information: Department Hours: • M, W, Th 0630-1900 • Tu, F 0630-1500 • Sat 0700-1130 (rotating coverage) 72 hours per pay period with rotating shifts/various start times • 8 and 12-hour shifts • AM and PM (until 1900) Pay Range: $25.30 - $37.95 Major Responsibilities: • Interprets physiological data from stress tests for determination of individualized exercise prescription. Plans and implements treatment programs based upon patient evaluation. Modifies exercise prescription based on cardiac symptomatology, signs and symptoms of exercise intolerance, or musculoskeletal, orthopedic, and/or accessory medical problems. • Works with physicians to determine program eligibility, progress, and timing of progression to unmonitored home program or Phase III participation. • Establishes and presents a coordinated health education program for patients on exercise and risk factor reduction. Participates in family and patient conferences as necessary and works closely with cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, physician assistants, and medical staff regarding patient physical status and rehabilitation program. • Promotes referral to rehabilitation program by developing a sound working relationship with referral sources - physicians and nurses. • Places electrodes on patient for various cardiac monitors and tests. • Counsels patient in home activity and exercise programs and purchase of exercise equipment. • Assists in the resolution of cardiac emergencies or symptoms of exercise intolerance. Assists the in-program planning and implementation. • May serve as a mentor for staff working for certification by American College of Sports Medicine in Exercise Technologist or Specialist category. Serves as a hospital consultant in area of exercise physiology. Participates in appropriate professional organizations for personal development. • Assists in monitoring outpatient cardiac rehabilitation exercise groups. • Performs various patient positioning and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique. • Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards. Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required: • Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required. Education Required: • Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Physiology, or • Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology. Experience Required: • No experience required. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • Must be able to make independent decisions and be able to deal with complex clinical situations as presented by many cardiac patients. • Good communication skills and effective team functioning is required. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions: • Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, twist, crawl, kneel, climb, and reach above shoulders at various times in each workday. • Must be able to: • lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist. • lift up to 10 lbs. from waist to overhead. • lift and carry up to 40 lbs. at waist height a reasonable distance. • Must be able to: • push/pull with 30 lbs. of force. • perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present. • Must be able to use hands with fine manipulation when using computer keyboard and testing equipment. • Must have functional vision, speech, and hearing. • Potential for exposure to mechanical, electrical, and chemical hazards and therefore must be able to take precautions and wear protective clothing as necessary. • May be exposed to blood or body fluids and thus appropriate protective clothing must be worn as necessary (gloves, mask, etc.). This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties. Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

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