Athletic Trainer / Orthopedics

About the role

Practices according to the NATABOC standards of professional practice and complies with all the legal requirements regulating the practice of athletic training.

Athletic training intervention is managed under the direction of a physician, ensuring the needs of the patient are met within a clinic setting.

Documentation of the evaluation, intervention, and change in health status is performed as required in Standard 7 of the BOC standards of professional practice.

Participation in the education of student athletic trainers is facilitated.

Specialty duties include performing athletic training services at special events as requested by department leadership.

Responsibilities

• Conducts holistic age-specific patient/family assessments upon visit according to defined standards.
• Ongoing patient/family assessments/reassessments are completed according to the appropriate protocols and unit standard of care.
• Data collection and documentation related to patient’s physical, mental, developmental, emotional, and social condition.
• Interpreting information in terms of patients' needs, knowledge of growth and development, and understanding the range of treatment needed by these patients.
• Assessing family expectations for, and involvement in the assessment and continuous care or treatment of the patient.
• Communicating a plan of care to the patient/family so they can understand.
• Identifying/assessing the need for physician involvement or a potential change in plan of care.
• Coordinating patient care to ensure continuity of care.
• Facilitating timely communication to/from patient/family and other healthcare disciplines; answering patient care related questions, requests etc.
• Returning phone calls in the same business day received.
• Reviewing patient charts as assigned to facilitate coordination of care by assuring completion of tests, consultations and procedures, interdisciplinary follow-up and referrals as needed for the clinic visit.
• Following up on tests, lab results, thoroughly and within established time frames.
• Considering cultural, cognitive, emotional, and social influences on the patient/families ability and readiness to learn.
• Documenting teaching on the EMR to include understanding of topics taught.
• Working in conjunction with physicians, physician assistants, nurses, medical assistants, and physical therapists to provide appropriate treatments to injured children in the clinic setting.
• Gathering patient information in a timely, concise, thorough manner and conveying this to the Physician.
• Maintaining a good workflow and meeting expectations of customers in relation to being on time.
• Demonstrating effective delegation techniques.
• Instructing patients and families in therapeutic exercise and developing Home Exercise Programs for individual patients in clinic.
• Instructing patients in walker/crutch/gait training.
• Acting as a liaison between physician and patients/parents/physical therapists/athletic trainers/coaches with regard to athlete's rehabilitation and return to practice/play status following acute injury evaluation and/or surgical intervention by sports medicine staff physicians.
• Communicating with patients/parents/physical therapists/athletic trainers/coaches to answer questions and concerns as well as to ensure proper injury and post-surgical care is being followed.
• Performing and being accountable for specialized projects, tasks or office functions as negotiated with the management team.
• Working as part of a team to coordinate smooth functioning of the clinic.
• Coordinating, developing and implementing injury and illness prevention strategies for athletes and the physically active.
• Communicating with Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Sports Physical Therapy teams to provide integrated home exercise programs.
• Providing sports injury prevention instruction and techniques to patients, parents, coaches and others in the community.
• Developing evidence-based education programs for sport-specific, gender-specific or injury-specific conditions.
• Presenting educational programs to patients, parents, coaches and other members of the community.
• Communicating effectively with patients, parents, other providers (MD, ATCs, PTs, etc...) and the community.
• Speaking clearly and intelligibly, using professional language that is suited to the educational level of the recipient in communicating with others.
• Demonstrating organizational and analytical skills to solve problems, make decisions and develop systems and processes for effective workflow and financial viability.
• Developing, implementing and monitoring systems and processes to promote effective and efficient operations of programs and services.
• Supporting organizational strategic imperatives.
• Maintaining effective and efficient use of providers, personnel, equipment, and capital.
• Participating in seminars, clinical programs and lecture series for physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, coaches, allied health and applied science professionals.
• Providing positive and effective customer service in support of the Program and health system operations.
• Performing therapeutic modalities as prescribed in accordance with Nebraska state law and NATABOC standards of care.
• Ordering of orthopedic casting supplies/appliances/soft wear appliances within established budget as approved by manager.
• Maintaining inventory of instruments, casting, splinting, bracing supplies, and other DME as necessary.
• Applying and adjusting plaster casts/fiberglass casts and assembling orthopedic traction equipment and devices.
• Caring for patients with injured joints and bones under the direction of a provider.
• Modifying and replacing casts as needed, under the direction of a provider.
• Instructing orthopedic patients in caring for their injuries, understanding and adjusting traction equipment, adjusting crutches, walkers, and other aids and providing instructions to patients in their use.
• Serving as a contact for families with children in casts to provide additional information and resources as necessary.
• Developing educational material for patients and families about various types of casts and cast care related to immobilization.
• Maintaining current knowledge of national standards, research based practice guidelines, best practice protocols and utilizing knowledge to enhance and direct clinical care.
• Supporting a marketing plan to position facility as the medical clinic and therapy center of choice for youth sports medicine.
• Facilitating the development of trusting relationships and partnerships with physicians, high school athletic trainers, community agencies, peers and other professionals.
• Performing treatments, procedures and medication administration in a compassionate manner under the direction of a licensed practitioner.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Training or an accredited educational program by the NATA-BOC. Equivalent work experience may substitute for education.

Required and Master's Degree in a related field preferred.

Skills

Knowledge and experience in the administration of a variety of assessment tools, treatment plans and equipment.

Benefits

N/A

Pay

N/A

Schedule

Mon-Fri, 0800-1630