How to Work in Cardiac Rehab
Look into different cardiac rehab career paths., Get a college degree., Attend events to learn more and to network., Obtain necessary licenses and certifications., Volunteer or intern at cardiac rehab facilities., Practice caring for patients...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Look into different cardiac rehab career paths.
If you know that you have an interest in working in cardiac rehabilitation, you first need to compare the different jobs you could have within that field.
Go online and research these different jobs, including: physical therapy, nursing, nutrition, and more.Compare the job descriptions, educational requirements, and potential salaries of different careers to help narrow down your list of potential focuses. -
Step 2: Get a college degree.
In order to start a career related to cardiac rehab, you’ll most likely need to acquire a bachelor’s degree.
However, some positions only require an Associate’s degree.
Earn a degree that requires classes that teach human anatomy, nutrition metabolism, physical therapy, electrocardiography, stress management, emergency care, and personal safety in order to set yourself up for a career.
Some degrees that teach these subjects include:
Physical Therapy, Exercise Science, Exercise Therapy, Nursing, and Kinesiology., Go to seminars, conferences and job fairs for health profession workers within the field of cardiac rehab.
At these events, you can educate yourself further and also meet others that are working as cardiac rehab technicians or therapists.
This is a great way to network, socialize, explore and learn. , Depending on which career path you pursue within cardiac rehab, you may be required to earn specific licenses and certifications.
These are typically earned by passing a test.
If you aren’t required to do this, willingly obtaining them may give you a leg up on the competition when applying for jobs.
Most cardiac rehab professionals are required to obtain a license by their state board of health.
Consider getting certified by the American Dietetic Association if you’re pursuing a career as a dietician or nutritionist.
If you’re going into nursing you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)., During your summer breaks, make use of your time off and apply for internships or volunteer your time at hospitals, clinics, or other cardiac rehab facilities near you.
This will allow you to see first-hand what cardiac rehab workers do by being in an actual work environment and observing., If you want to be successful in the cardiac rehab field, you’ll need to be highly skilled at interacting with patients.
Take advantage of your hands-on opportunities to practice expressing empathy and compassion to patients, assisting them with their physical and emotional struggles, communicating with them in a comforting and appropriate way, and giving them thorough medical care., Most healthcare facilities use computers, software programs, and technologically advanced equipment to input patient data, run tests, and complete other daily tasks in order to keep things running smoothly.
Familiarize yourself with the basic technologies used in facilities where you volunteer or intern so that you can better adjust to their evolvement later in your career., Most people who work in medical fields are required to work long shifts.
The sooner you can get used to this kind of schedule, the better.
While you might not be able to focus for several hours at a time at first, asking for long shifts initially may help you adjust to it over time.
It is also important for the health and safety of others that you’re skilled at paying attention to detail.
Working long hours will challenge your ability to do this well, but will strengthen it in the long run., Job positions that are legitimate and will help you establish your career should always be approved by the The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
This association’s mission is to improve quality of life for patients and their families struggling with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases., First, your patient should be informed about their health condition and the causes of it.
The next step is developing and implementing a plan.
Suggest a well thought out plan for your patient that will lead to a healthier overall lifestyle.
Explain how positive changes, such as increasing physical activity and quitting smoking, will benefit the patient’s health and well-being.Nutritionists play a key role in developing a diet plan for patients.Physical therapists may assist with the creation and execution of exercise schedules and activities. , Patients who have just been diagnosed with a heart disease or condition are often motivated to make positive changes.
However, over time it can be challenging to stick with the plan, especially if progress isn’t well monitored.
No matter your role in their rehabilitation, it is important that you consistently interact with patients in a positive and encouraging way.Cardiac rehab nurses monitor patients by giving them frequent stress tests and by often checking their vital signs. -
Step 3: Attend events to learn more and to network.
-
Step 4: Obtain necessary licenses and certifications.
-
Step 5: Volunteer or intern at cardiac rehab facilities.
-
Step 6: Practice caring for patients.
-
Step 7: Develop an understanding of basic technologies.
-
Step 8: Practice working long hours.
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Step 9: Apply for jobs that are AACVPR-certified programs.
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Step 10: Put your patient on a path to success.
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Step 11: Monitor and motivate your patient.
Detailed Guide
If you know that you have an interest in working in cardiac rehabilitation, you first need to compare the different jobs you could have within that field.
Go online and research these different jobs, including: physical therapy, nursing, nutrition, and more.Compare the job descriptions, educational requirements, and potential salaries of different careers to help narrow down your list of potential focuses.
In order to start a career related to cardiac rehab, you’ll most likely need to acquire a bachelor’s degree.
However, some positions only require an Associate’s degree.
Earn a degree that requires classes that teach human anatomy, nutrition metabolism, physical therapy, electrocardiography, stress management, emergency care, and personal safety in order to set yourself up for a career.
Some degrees that teach these subjects include:
Physical Therapy, Exercise Science, Exercise Therapy, Nursing, and Kinesiology., Go to seminars, conferences and job fairs for health profession workers within the field of cardiac rehab.
At these events, you can educate yourself further and also meet others that are working as cardiac rehab technicians or therapists.
This is a great way to network, socialize, explore and learn. , Depending on which career path you pursue within cardiac rehab, you may be required to earn specific licenses and certifications.
These are typically earned by passing a test.
If you aren’t required to do this, willingly obtaining them may give you a leg up on the competition when applying for jobs.
Most cardiac rehab professionals are required to obtain a license by their state board of health.
Consider getting certified by the American Dietetic Association if you’re pursuing a career as a dietician or nutritionist.
If you’re going into nursing you’ll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)., During your summer breaks, make use of your time off and apply for internships or volunteer your time at hospitals, clinics, or other cardiac rehab facilities near you.
This will allow you to see first-hand what cardiac rehab workers do by being in an actual work environment and observing., If you want to be successful in the cardiac rehab field, you’ll need to be highly skilled at interacting with patients.
Take advantage of your hands-on opportunities to practice expressing empathy and compassion to patients, assisting them with their physical and emotional struggles, communicating with them in a comforting and appropriate way, and giving them thorough medical care., Most healthcare facilities use computers, software programs, and technologically advanced equipment to input patient data, run tests, and complete other daily tasks in order to keep things running smoothly.
Familiarize yourself with the basic technologies used in facilities where you volunteer or intern so that you can better adjust to their evolvement later in your career., Most people who work in medical fields are required to work long shifts.
The sooner you can get used to this kind of schedule, the better.
While you might not be able to focus for several hours at a time at first, asking for long shifts initially may help you adjust to it over time.
It is also important for the health and safety of others that you’re skilled at paying attention to detail.
Working long hours will challenge your ability to do this well, but will strengthen it in the long run., Job positions that are legitimate and will help you establish your career should always be approved by the The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
This association’s mission is to improve quality of life for patients and their families struggling with cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases., First, your patient should be informed about their health condition and the causes of it.
The next step is developing and implementing a plan.
Suggest a well thought out plan for your patient that will lead to a healthier overall lifestyle.
Explain how positive changes, such as increasing physical activity and quitting smoking, will benefit the patient’s health and well-being.Nutritionists play a key role in developing a diet plan for patients.Physical therapists may assist with the creation and execution of exercise schedules and activities. , Patients who have just been diagnosed with a heart disease or condition are often motivated to make positive changes.
However, over time it can be challenging to stick with the plan, especially if progress isn’t well monitored.
No matter your role in their rehabilitation, it is important that you consistently interact with patients in a positive and encouraging way.Cardiac rehab nurses monitor patients by giving them frequent stress tests and by often checking their vital signs.
About the Author
Maria Coleman
Specializes in breaking down complex home improvement topics into simple steps.
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