Exercise Physiology Internship

This is an unpaid internship working under degreed and certified Exercise Specialists in the fields of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab and Clinical Exercise Testing.

UMC Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab is nationally certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehab. This designation ensures that the best service is provided to patients and provides an excellent learning environment for interns to learn.

Accepted students will enroll under the Intro to Health Careers Program at UMC Health System and must attend orientation, meet pre-program requirements (listed below), and arrange a schedule with the Internship Coordinator. Students typically need to complete 20-25 hours per week to meet the 300 hour requirement.

This semester-long internship will allow the student to experience several aspects of the clinical exercise field including exercise prescription and programming, health evaluation, treatment plan design, diagnostic exercise testing, inpatient/post-surgical ambulation therapy, cardiovascular echocardiography, fitness facility management, health promotion and risk factor education. Students will also be educated on electrocardiography, ACSM and AACVPR guidelines, referral and marketing processes, and the goals of physical medicine and rehabilitation at UMC.

Interns will also acquire skills such as how to work in a professional environment, use of exercise monitoring software, working with a diverse team, as well as other health care related tasks and processes. The intern will work hands-on with patients and will develop an understanding of proper management and care of patients with a variety of conditions, including cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic diseases. In addition, the intern will be required to develop, implement and maintain a semester-long project related to clinical exercise or cardiac rehab.

Requirements

• Be enrolled in an internship class and be in the final year of an accredited Exercise Science/Physiology (or related) program.
• Possess knowledge from course work in exercise prescription, exercise testing, fitness assessment and exercise prescription for special populations.
• Positive and encouraging attitude
• CPR certification is preferred, but not required.
• All students must have a negative Tuberculin Skin Test (or negative TB blood test/IGRA if skin test is positive) completed within the previous 12 months.
• Fall and Spring candidates must receive a seasonal Flu Vaccination
• Submit schedule and availability to the Intern Coordinator
• Submit the completed Internship Application