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Cardiac Exercise Physiologist Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Clinical Exercise Physiologist

Raleigh, NC ยท On-site

$23.24 - $33.41/hr

... โ€ข Advanced Cardiac Life Support preferred โ€ข Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) required within twelve (12) months of hire* or licensed Physical Therapist Professional Experience ...

... โ€ข Advanced Cardiac Life Support preferred โ€ข Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) required within twelve (12) months of hire* or licensed Physical Therapist Professional Experience ...

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Cardiac Exercise Physiologist information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$12

$27

$46

How much do cardiac exercise physiologist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for cardiac exercise physiologist in Raleigh, NC is $27.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.10 and $32.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cardiac exercise physiologist?

A Cardiac Exercise Physiologist is a healthcare professional who specializes in designing and supervising exercise programs for individuals with heart conditions. They assess patients' cardiovascular health, develop safe exercise routines, and monitor progress to help improve heart function and overall fitness. These specialists often work as part of a cardiac rehabilitation team in hospitals, clinics, or wellness centers, helping patients recover after heart attacks, surgeries, or manage chronic heart diseases.

How does a cardiac exercise physiologist collaborate with other healthcare professionals in a cardiac rehabilitation setting?

Cardiac Exercise Physiologists work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including cardiologists, nurses, physical therapists, and dietitians, to develop and implement tailored exercise programs for patients recovering from cardiac events. They regularly communicate patient progress, share assessment findings, and adjust exercise prescriptions based on input from the broader care team. This collaborative approach ensures that each patient's rehabilitation plan is safe, effective, and aligned with their overall treatment goals, fostering a supportive work environment and comprehensive patient care.

What is the difference between Cardiac Exercise Physiologist vs Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist?

AspectCardiac Exercise PhysiologistCardiac Rehabilitation Specialist
CredentialsCertified Exercise Physiologist, ACSM or CSEP certificationCertified in cardiac rehab, often with additional certifications
Work EnvironmentClinics, hospitals, fitness centersRehabilitation centers, hospitals, outpatient programs
Employer & IndustryHealthcare, fitness, cardiac rehab programsHospitals, rehab clinics, cardiac centers

Both roles focus on cardiac health, but Cardiac Exercise Physiologists primarily design exercise programs, while Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialists often oversee comprehensive rehab programs, including education and counseling.

Where do cardiac exercise physiologists make the most money?

Cardiac exercise physiologists tend to earn higher salaries in regions with a higher cost of living and greater demand for specialized healthcare services, such as urban areas or states with advanced healthcare infrastructure. Salaries can also increase with experience, certifications, and working in hospital or private clinic settings. Overall, geographic location significantly influences earning potential for this role.

How much does a cardiac rehab exercise physiologist make?

The average salary for a cardiac rehab exercise physiologist in New Jersey ranges from $55,000 to $75,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and work setting. Salaries may be higher in hospitals or specialized clinics, and additional certifications can enhance earning potential.

What jobs can I do with a cardiac exercise physiologist degree?

A cardiac exercise physiologist can work in hospitals, cardiac rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, or fitness facilities, designing and supervising exercise programs for patients with heart conditions. They often collaborate with healthcare teams, utilize exercise testing equipment, and may obtain certifications such as ACSM or CSEP to enhance employment opportunities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cardiac exercise physiologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cardiac Exercise Physiologist, you need a solid understanding of exercise physiology, cardiac anatomy, and rehabilitation principles, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree and professional certification (such as ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist). Familiarity with ECG interpretation, metabolic testing equipment, and electronic health records is essential for monitoring and documenting patient progress. Outstanding interpersonal communication, empathy, and the ability to motivate patients set top performers apart in this role. These skills and qualities are critical for safely guiding cardiac patients through rehabilitation and promoting positive health outcomes.
Infographic showing various Cardiac Exercise Physiologist job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,325 per year, or $27.6 per hour.

Clinical Exercise Physiologist

UNC Health Careers

Raleigh, NC โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Summary:

The Clinical Exercise Physiologist works closely with theย multidisciplinary healthcare team to provide evidence-based exercise therapy
that is integrated and compatible with the patient-focused medical goals.ย Primary responsibilities include development and implementation of the exerciseย prescription through initial patient assessment, exercise testing, monitoring,ย and evaluation of the patient's progress.ย 
The Clinical Exercise Physiologist uses evidence-based practice,ย protocols, and guidelines to determine exercise intervention.ย  As part of the multidisciplinary team, theย Clinical Exercise Physiologist is directly involved in patient care, patientย education, program development, and quality performance improvement.


Responsibilities:
1. Assesses exercise therapy needs using standardized practice and critical thinking. Conducts exercise testing where applicable. Recognizes potential medical problems in all clinical situations and works in collaboration with the healthcare team to resolve these issues. Recognizes unsafe exercise situations and intervenes to ensure patient safety. Monitors response to exercise such as heart rate and rhythm, ratings of perceived exertion, blood pressures, blood glucoses, and O2 Sats. Attends and participates in patient care conferences.
2. Develops exercise prescriptions according to age, disease, medical history, comorbidities, and individual needs for patients. Implements, monitors, and modifies exercise prescriptions and individual treatment plans. Participates in reassessments and discharge planning process. Demonstrates clinical and age-specific competency as evidenced by clinical competency tools, forms, chart audits, tests, observation, etc.
3. Provides initial orientation to exercise program, educating patient on untoward signs and symptoms to recognize and report, safe use of exercise equipment, and program processes. Provides patient education on a variety of topics, such as disease management, safe exercise principles, risk factor modification, medication compliance, stress management, and behavior modification.
4. Documents all aspects of exercise therapy in the medical record. Demonstrates compliance with regulatory agency standards as evidenced by chart audits and organizational / regulatory agency surveys. Communicates effectively with physicians, medical director, other providers, and co-workers. Provides patient education using established behavioral change techniques. Communicates with patients in a clear and effective manner.
5. Assists in achieving compliance with the Joint Commission, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), American Association for Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) or other accrediting agency standards to continuously improve the safety and quality of care to the public and to the organization's performance improvement. Performs business functions, such as management of resources in a cost-effective manner, and participates in compliance and quality performance improvement efforts to ensure that clinical care is safe and effective.
6. Attends and participates in staff meetings, and continuing education opportunities. Participates in quality improvement initiatives and cross training. Maintains professional competency and skills required for professional practice. Act as a resource for community-based exercise programs.
7. Participates in the training of clinical exercise physiology students and orienting new staff members as directed by supervisor.


Other Information

Other information:
Education Requirements:
Bachelor's degree at a US regionally accredited university in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or related field
Master's degree in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or related field preferred Completion of a clinical internship preferred
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Advanced Cardiac Life Support preferred
Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) required within twelve (12) months of hire* or licensed Physical Therapist
Professional Experience Requirements:
One (1) year of experience working in a clinical exercise setting.
No minimum clinical experience required with Master's degree
*Note: Current teammates hired before Dec 15, 2019 are not required to hold CEP certification.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form to patients, public, hospital and medical staff, and physicians. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of patients and their guests, community members, and others outside of the organization. Possess ability to time manage, complete tasks, and meet operational timelines. Ability to function independently on assignments. Demonstrate a passion for using skills and knowledge to help patients, guests and coworkers. Ability to efficiently, calmly, and tactfully deal with in-person interactions, telephone calls, email correspondence, and related patient and customer services issues. Working knowledge and skills of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Proficient keyboarding skills. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations by collecting data, establishing facts, and drawing valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Critical thinking to integrate facts, informed opinion, active listening, and observations. Ability to use good judgment and make decisions regarding patient care.


Job Details

Legal Employer: NCHEALTH

Entity: UNC REX Healthcare

Organization Unit: Rex Rehab-Cardio

Work Type: Per Diem

Standard Hours Per Week: 12.00

Salary Range:ย $23.24 - $33.41 per hour (Hiring Range)

Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: US:NC:Raleigh

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No


This position is employed by NC Health (Rex Healthcare, Inc., d/b/a NC Health), a private, fully-owned subsidiary of UNC Heath Care System. This is not a State employed position.


Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.

Employment Type: