Clinical Exercise Physiologists in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

To describe the prevalence of clinical exercise physiologists (CEPs), hiring criteria, and job tasks in early outpatient cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation (CR/PR) programs in the United States.

In this cross-sectional study, a survey was sent by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation to CR/PR program leaders. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Among 311 programs, 96% (n = 297) offered CR, 71% (n = 222) offered PR, and CEPs were the most frequently reported staff in both CR (86%; n = 256) and PR (83%; n = 185). Staff were exclusively CEPs in 10% (n = 30) of CR and 5% (n = 12) of PR. Hiring criteria for CEPs were a bachelor's degree in 92% (n = 240) and a master's in the remaining programs. Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification was required before or within 1 year of hire in 70% (n = 183) of programs. The American College of Sports Medicine Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) credential was required before or within 1 year of hire in 24% (n = 62) of programs. In 75% (n = 196) of programs, CEPs were responsible for the majority (≥23 of 29) of job tasks that are common to CR/PR.

Clinical exercise physiologists serve integral roles in CR/PR programs in the United States with job responsibilities that allow them to work at the top of their scope of practice in many programs. Underutilization of CEPs at some institutions might be improved by better understanding the variability in academic preparation and the importance of the ACSM-CEP credential.