1. Cardiac Rehab Specialist
Dana Villasin, Jenna Galezniak, Elise Wood,
Bridgett Passarella

2. What is Cardiac Rehab?
Cardiac rehabilitation (cardiac rehab) is a professionally supervised program to help people recover from :
Heart attacks
Heart surgery
Percutaneous Coronary intervention procedures such as stenting and angioplasty
Cardiac rehab programs usually provide education and counseling services to help heart patients increase physical fitness, reduce cardiac symptoms, improve health and reduce the risk of a future heart problems, including heart attack

3. What does a Cardiac Rehab Specialist do?
Conduct initial assessment of patient
Gather information on patient history and information related to risk factors for heart disease
Establish an exercise program for the patient
Perform blood and glucose monitoring
Develop care plan for the patient, including nutrition and medication
Give direction on appropriate rehabilitation activities based on patient’s physical response to exercise
Identify EKG rhythm abnormalities
Respond appropriately to emergency situations

4. Programs Temple University West Chester University
– Master in Integrative Exercise Physiology
West Chester University
- Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Physiology
Rutgers New Brunswick University
– Master’s in Nursing

5. Temple University Master of Science in Kinesiology
Pre-requisites : Bachelor Degree with Lab sciences – Biology, Anatomy and Phys, Chemistry, And Physics
GRE score of 153 verbal and 144 quantitative
Course Requirements ( listed on Handout)
Some include: Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology, Exercise Physiology, and Exercise Testing and Prescription
Credit Hours: 30-33
Will conduct : Master Research Project , Thesis, and Clinical Internship/ Practicum

6. Temple University Graduate Assistantship
Can receive an assistantship at Temple University
Awarded directly by departments in form of research or teaching
20 hours per week of students time – research activities or grad related activities
Carry full tuition remission and stipend $11,000 per year

7. West Chester University - Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Physiology
Science based program of credit hours – depending on research or thesis based program
Out of state tuitions – approx. $18,000
Some Courses include:
Advanced Motor Learning
Biomechanics
Advance Ex Phys
Muscular Physiology
And more

8. West Chester University Graduate Assistantship
Must be a degree-seeking, graduate student; certifications do not count
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for current graduate students         
Offered by departments outside individual colleges
Such as: Academic Programs and Services Division and Residence Life and Housing
Students must give 20 hours a week in duties to receive tuition remission and a stipend
West Chester has multiple different GA programs – cost and stipend depends on chosen program
GA revoked if 3.0 is not kept

9. Rutgers University: Master’s of Science in Nursing
Requirements for Application
BSN
3.2 GPA
Nurse license in New Jersey
Three recommendation letters
Program is 42 credits
Cost is 8,000$ to 12,000$

10. MSN at Rutgers University
Fall: Year 1 9
Spring: Year 1
-Found. Of Research & Evidence- Based Practice
-Theoretical Foundations
-Social determinants of Health
-Principles &Methods of Epidemiology
-Healthcare Economics & Business Practices
-Elective
Fall: Year 2
Spring: Year 2
-Theory & Practicum: Transformational Leadership
-Managing Human Capital
-Theory & Practicum: Quality & Safety in Health Care
Fall: Year 3 6
-Theory & Practicum:
Organization Complexity

11. Financial Aid College of Nursing Scholarships
-Academic Performance
College of Nursing Awards
College of Nursing Fellowships
-Graduate Students ONLY

12. Biology Kinesiology Nutrition Masters Degree is Not a Requirement
Other Master Degrees
Biology Kinesiology Nutrition Masters Degree is Not a Requirement

13. What do I do with my graduate degree?
Cardiovascular related courses
Volunteer/ Shadow
Training
Certification
Exam
“American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation”
Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist is NOT a Degree

14. Professional Organizations
AACVPR: American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
AHA : American Heart Association
UPCRA : Upper Plains Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Association

15. American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR)
Networking opportunities
Great resource of information for upcoming graduates
Four types of memberships: SHOULD TALKE ABOUT INFO SEPEARATLY NOT ON SLIDE
Professional
Education Advantage
Joint Affiliate
Student

16. American Heart Association (AHA)
Five types of memberships:
Premium Profession Plus ($450/year)
Premium Professional ($250/year)
Early Career ($75/year)
Student/Trainee ($75/year)
General Professional ($75/year)
Benefits : See Handout

17. Upper Plains Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Association (UPCRA)
Three types of annual membership:
Professional- Dues $25/year
Professional regularly involved in cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation
Student – Dues $10/year
Anyone interested in graduate or undergraduate school in health profession
Associate - Dues $10/year
Anyone interested in cardiac rehabilitation currently not eligible for other memberships

18. JOBS POSITIONS LOCATIONS Director Manager Assistant Therapist
Hospitals
Outpatient Clinics
Rehabilitation Centers
Nursing facility
Home health care services

19. Cardiac Rehab in Our Area
Virtua Cardiac Rehabilitation Performance Center
Sewell, NJ 08080
Thomas Jefferson Hospital
Philadelphia, PA 19145
Bacharach Institute for Rehabilitation
Pomona, NJ 08240

20. Our Site Visit – Bacharach
Out-patient program
Only facility in the region equipped with EECP, a revolutionary non-surgical cardiac treatment system
Center looks like a health club
Unlike a health club, the Cardiac Rehab center is staffed by therapists and physiologists specially trained to oversee a physician-supervised controlled exercise program
Ron Franzeschini
Director of Cardiac/Pulmonary Services/Emergency Preparedness

21. References
ehab/What-is-Cardiac-Rehabilitation_UCM_307049_Article.jsp
academicinvest.com
tive_exercise_physiology_MS.htm#1
rehab/