Cardiac Rehab Internship - Spring 2024 - Exercise Science Students

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Internship Program is designed to develop the skills of students majoring in Exercise Science-related fields in order to prepare them for a successful career as a clinical Exercise Physiologist. The intern will provide useful assistance for the department while also gaining on-the-job training that will assist them with their future career. Under the supervision of the Exercise Physiologists and Intern Supervisor, the intern will be exposed to the duties and responsibilities of the Exercise Physiologist in the Cardiac Rehabilitation setting, as well as professional and career-related resources. Specifically, the intern will be responsible for assisting in inpatient and outpatient duties by taking blood pressures, assessing and educating patients, performing exercise tests and writing exercise prescriptions, and both small and large creative projects for the department. Students will also have the opportunity to observe other partnership programs and medical procedures.

Baylor Scott & White’s Cardiac Rehab is a medically supervised inpatient and outpatient program to help a patient recover after a heart attack, heart surgery, or other forms of heart disease. This comprehensive service includes Inpatient (Phase I) and Outpatient (Phase II & III) rehabilitation. All phases include medical evaluation, prescribed exercise, cardiac risk factor modification and prevention, education/counseling, and behavioral modification. Our team approach offers the most comprehensive care from a group of health care professionals working together to improve patient outcomes and promote healthy lifestyle changes.

Interns must be an undergraduate or graduate student working towards a degree in Health Promotion, Exercise Science or a related field. Familiarity with fitness testing, exercise prescription, resistance training, and taking resting and exercise blood pressure is highly recommended. Students are required to have taken Exercise Physiology I and Exercise Testing & Prescription (or related course) before their internship start date and in addition are recommended to have taken a Principles of Strength Training/Conditioning course. A current BLS certification is also required. Patient care experience and exposure are highly recommended as they give the intern more time to explore the education and practical “hard” skills instead of first learning the “soft” skills of educating and caring for patients. Interns who are accepted have the understanding that our program requires a minimum of 200 contact hours for credit in addition to their specific university requirements. 

Interns will also be required to check off on specific skills/competencies prior to the first day of their internship. These skills include but are not limited to: manual blood pressure measurement, basic EKG interpretation, knowledge of principles of strength training and exercise, and formulating exercise prescription based on risk stratification. These competencies are to be completed utilizing university resources and information provided from the internship coordinator.

The below outline is for a 12-week internship however it can be adapted for a 10-week or 15-week internship under certain circumstances. It is tentative.

1. Make sure you meet the above prerequisites and those required by your college or university.

2. Submit your application, cover letter, resume, and references by email, fax, Handshake or in person to: