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Cardiac Fitness Therapist
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Glendale, CA, 91204
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Salary : 32.32-48.07 HOUR
Date Posted : 8 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
- Provides the professional care necessary to achieve the goals of the Cardiac Fitness center program; the achievement and maintenance of optimal physical and psychological functions in patients with post acute coronary heart disease.
- Serves as a role model of cardiac fitness by integrating the role components of clinician, teacher and consultant.
Job Requirements
- Exercise Physiologist, must have a Masters degree in Exercise Physiology and training in cardiopulmonary from an accredited University.
- One year's internship or work experience in cardiac rehabilitation preferred.
- Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification from American Heart.
- Proficient in basic arrhythmia recognition. Completed a basic arrhythmia course.
- Must have knowledge and experience of the following: Cardiovascular anatomy and physiology.
- Pathophysiology of coronary artery disease.
- Patient education methods
Founded in 1926, Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center is a 334-bed, acute care, nonprofit, community hospital located in Glendale, California. The hospital offers a full complement of services, including its award winning heart center, the colorectal surgery institute, a gastrointestinal program, and is a Los Angeles County approved primary stroke center. The hospital shares a legacy of humankindness with Dignity Health, one of the nation’s five largest health care systems. Visit here https://www.dignityhealth.org/socal/locations/glendalememorial for more information.
One Community. One Mission. One California
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Frequently asked questions
Glendale's healthcare sector shows steady demand for cardiac fitness therapists, driven by its aging population and robust hospital network. Candidates with ACLS certification and cardiac rehab experience often find competitive opportunities, though the market rewards those with specialized cardiopulmonary expertise and strong patient education skills.
Beyond BCLS and ACLS certifications, Los Angeles area hospitals like Glendale Memorial value proficiency in arrhythmia recognition and cardiopulmonary training. Employers look for exercise physiologists with accredited degrees and hands-on cardiac rehab internships to ensure safe, expert patient care.
Cardiac fitness therapists uniquely concentrate on post-acute coronary patients, blending clinical care with tailored exercise physiology and patient education. Unlike general physical therapists, they specialize in cardiovascular pathophysiology and rehabilitation strategies to optimize heart health recovery.
Starting as a cardiac fitness therapist opens doors to leadership roles like cardiac rehab program manager or clinical consultant. With experience, professionals can specialize further in cardiac clinical research or transition into advanced practice roles such as cardiac nurse practitioner or exercise physiologist educator.
Daily duties involve evaluating cardiac patients’ fitness levels, designing personalized rehab exercise plans, monitoring physiological responses, teaching lifestyle modifications, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure holistic cardiac recovery aligned with clinical safety standards.
At Catholic Health Initiatives’ Glendale Memorial, cardiac fitness therapists serve as vital clinicians and educators, promoting humankindness while delivering evidence-based cardiac rehab. Their role supports the hospital’s mission by enhancing patient recovery through expert exercise coaching and cardiovascular health monitoring.
In Glendale, CA, cardiac fitness therapists typically earn between $65,000 and $85,000 annually, depending on experience and certifications like ACLS. This aligns with the region’s healthcare pay scales, reflecting the specialized skill set required for effective cardiac rehabilitation.
Glendale’s cardiac rehab roles benefit from a community-focused, nonprofit healthcare environment emphasizing patient-centered care, slightly less competitive than major hubs like Los Angeles. The demand remains strong due to local demographics, offering a balanced pace and collaborative workplace culture.
A master's degree in exercise physiology with cardiopulmonary specialization is crucial, complemented by practical internships or work experience in cardiac rehab. This foundation ensures therapists grasp cardiovascular anatomy, pathophysiology, and patient-centered education techniques vital for success.
Therapists at Catholic Health Initiatives often navigate integrating evidence-based practices within a large, multifaceted health system while fostering compassionate care. Balancing clinical precision with patient empowerment in a diverse urban population requires adaptability and strong communication skills.