My name is Anton Pecha and I am the supervisor for Cardiopulmonary Rehab at Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, VA. I am reaching out because our facility is once again able to accept interns. This program was put on hold during the height of COVID-19 pandemic. Our program consists of cardiac, pulmonary, enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP), supervised exercise therapy for peripheral vascular disease exercise programs. The main function is to incorporate exercise training, emotional support and education about lifestyle changes to reduce heart disease risk, pulmonary exacerbations, and symptomatic claudication.
At WMC, Cardiopulmonary Rehab interns will have the opportunity to gain experience in the fields of cardiac rehab, pulmonary rehab, enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP), and supervised exercise therapy for peripheral vascular disease patients. Cardiopulmonary rehab interns learn to work with patients in a clinical setting. Activities involve patient assessment, blood pressure measurement, patient education, EKG interpretation, exercise prescription, conduct warm ups and cool downs, strength conditioning workouts, and chart documentation.
We are a hands-on teaching facility. Our focus is on outpatient Cardiopulmonary Rehab, working in Phase II and III cardiac rehab, pulmonary rehab, enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP), and supervised exercise therapy. Additional possible observation opportunities include open heart surgery, cardiac catheterizations, stress testing, echocardiography, vascular testing, TEEs, and pulmonary function testing. WMC’s Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation programs are AACVPR Certified.
Program specifics and requirements
o CPR certification is required prior to your start date.
o Undergraduate and Graduate students are accepted for all semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer).
o Interns must be enrolled in a university-required internship program that provides liability insurance. Students cannot apply for internships independently
o This internship is unpaid.
o Preference is given to interns that have had an ECG class and experience with taking blood pressure.
o Experience with exercise leadership is a plus.
o Our facility is open Monday through Friday 7am-5pm, intern hours can flex to accommodate classes.
If students are interested in applying for the internship please have them email their resume, cover letter and details on what semester and year they are interested in doing their internship to:
Anton Pecha
Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Supervisor
apecha@valleyhealthlink.com
thank you,
Anton Pecha, MS, ACSM-CEP, EP, AACVPR-CCRP
Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Supervisor
Winchester Medical Center
1872 Amherst Street, Suite 010
Winchester, VA 22601
540-536-8186 Direct Line
540-536-2005 Fax
