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Clinical exercise physiologist vs clinical specialist

The differences between clinical exercise physiologists and clinical specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a clinical exercise physiologist, becoming a clinical specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a clinical specialist has an average salary of $67,002, which is higher than the $53,276 average annual salary of a clinical exercise physiologist.

The top three skills for a clinical exercise physiologist include patients, rehabilitation and cardiac rehabilitation. The most important skills for a clinical specialist are patients, excellent interpersonal, and patient care.

Clinical exercise physiologist vs clinical specialist overview

Clinical Exercise PhysiologistClinical Specialist
Yearly salary$53,276$67,002
Hourly rate$25.61$32.21
Growth rate9%6%
Number of jobs108,09955,670
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age3844
Years of experience24

What does a clinical exercise physiologist do?

Clinical exercise physiologists, or CEP, are health professionals who utilize scientific rationale for designing, enforcing, and supervising exercise programming. The physiologists set exercise programs for people with conditions, diseases, and/or physical issues. They analyze the fitness of their patients to improve or main their health. Their job includes the assessment of patients' needs and making sure that they are following the safe exercise practices set for them. In addition, CEP may work with patients who have been recovering from any medical emergency or those who need to regain their physical strength.

What does a clinical specialist do?

A Clinical Specialists role is to assist in the selling of particular medical devices that need more detailed and complex knowledge. They work in laboratories as part of a team of technologists, technicians, and supervisors.

Clinical exercise physiologist vs clinical specialist salary

Clinical exercise physiologists and clinical specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinical Exercise PhysiologistClinical Specialist
Average salary$53,276$67,002
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $95,000Between $39,000 And $113,000
Highest paying CityBakersfield, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyConnecticut
Best paying companyBoston Medical CenterGenentech
Best paying industryHealth CarePharmaceutical

Differences between clinical exercise physiologist and clinical specialist education

There are a few differences between a clinical exercise physiologist and a clinical specialist in terms of educational background:

Clinical Exercise PhysiologistClinical Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorKinesiologyNursing
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of Pennsylvania

Clinical exercise physiologist vs clinical specialist demographics

Here are the differences between clinical exercise physiologists' and clinical specialists' demographics:

Clinical Exercise PhysiologistClinical Specialist
Average age3844
Gender ratioMale, 48.3% Female, 51.7%Male, 29.6% Female, 70.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 5.6% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 9.0% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage13%9%

Differences between clinical exercise physiologist and clinical specialist duties and responsibilities

Clinical exercise physiologist example responsibilities.

  • Interpret ECG test results and work with the cardiologist to diagnose specific cardiac conditions.
  • Perform pulmonary function testing, ECG's, and BP monitoring.
  • Assist physicians with ACLS/BLS procedures, chest tube insertions and catheter angiogramsite management.
  • Utilize the components of the nursing process and the applications of nursing diagnosis in the client setting.
  • Assess new-starts, monitor vitals, adjust workload intensities, and interpret EKG responses to varying exercise intensities.
  • Trouble shooting device issues and arrhythmia problems, aiding the physician in adjusting treatment plans tailor to patient specific needs.
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Clinical specialist example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with teams managing Medicare / Medicaid (CMS) requirements to increase care access for all patients.
  • Manage CNS supervise hospital base cardiac surgery clinic.
  • Collaborate with ambulatory practice managers as lead patient scheduler to develop back office scheduler position to manage all disease group patients.
  • Monitor patients with implant devices and provide ongoing programming recommendations to cardiologists and surgical staff.
  • Monitor documentation to ensure compliance with ICH GCP guidelines and interact with regulatory team members.
  • Serve as NRP and BLS instructor.
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Clinical exercise physiologist vs clinical specialist skills

Common clinical exercise physiologist skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Rehabilitation, 13%
  • Cardiac Rehabilitation, 8%
  • Acls, 6%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • EKG, 5%
Common clinical specialist skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 7%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Clinical Support, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Technical Support, 4%

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