Program overview

Program length: 12 weeks
Class size: 2 students
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Affiliated schools: Jacksonville University, University of North Florida

The Cardiovascular Medicine Exercise Physiology Internship is a 12-week program designed to provide observational and practical experience to exercise physiology, exercise science, and kinesiology students. Learners will gain clinical experience in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and cardiac stress testing (including standard stress ECG, exercise imaging, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing).

Students will gain needed practical experience, including observation and assistance with exercise testing, exercise counseling and prescription, as well as exercise supervision which is required to become eligible to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) certification exam.

Application process

Prerequisites

Students must be enrolled in a bachelor's or master's in exercise physiology, kinesiology, exercise science, or equivalent at one of these affiliated academic institutions:

• Jacksonville University
• University of North Florida

How to apply

If you are interested in the Cardiovascular Medicine Exercise Physiology Internship, you must have support from your university's program director and clinical director.

1. Your affiliate university's program director or clinical director should email the Clinical Exercise Physiology Internship Director at Mayo Clinic to indicate their support for your acceptance in addition to providing your email and phone contact information. Students should not contact the Clinical Exercise Physiology Internship Director directly.
2. If approved, you will be contacted by Mayo Clinic and instructed to complete the online application process. 

Tuition and financial aid

There is no tuition. Interns do not receive a stipend. You are responsible for your living accommodations and transportation.

Curriculum

 During this internship, you will engage in the following learning experiences:

• Be mentored in hospital and clinic settings by clinical instructors who are committed to teaching and have exceptional skills and specialties in the profession.
• Gain experience with adult patients with a variety of cardiac and pulmonary diagnoses.
• Gain practical hands-on experience with the operation of telemetry systems in cardiopulmonary rehab and stress testing lab.
• Become familiar with the aspects of patient entry and completion of the cardiopulmonary rehab program.
• Become proficient in obtaining vitals, prescribing exercise, and providing patient education on modifying patient risk factors.
• Learn to obtain preliminary medical histories, appropriately prepare patients for stress testing, and conduct tests from beginning to end.
• Participate in a mock interview and complete a case study presentation.
• Potentially have the opportunity to observe other areas within the Cardiovascular Medicine Department at Mayo Clinic.

Accreditation information

See accreditation information for Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.