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Brief Overview

The Athletic Trainer (AT) is responsible for the delivery of health care services as part of a multidisciplinary team providing athletic training services that are in accordance with the GA state practice act. The athletic trainer works under the advice and consent of one or more physicians and must perform with minimal to no supervision. They will have direct patient contact primarily for the evaluation and treatment of medical and musculoskeletal pathologies for pediatric through geriatric populations in the clinic setting. The incumbent may also be expected to provide community/special event/sporting event coverage on an as-needed basis.

What you will do

• Patient Care/Physician Support: May room patients, take vital signs, and other functions to prepare the patient for the visit. Performs medical history, including the history of the injury or condition, primary complaint, pain level assessment, past medical history, review of medications and allergies, and how the quality of life is affected. Conducts physical examinations, including the range of motion testing, strength testing, sensation testing, palpation, functional testing, ligamentous testing, and special tests as needed. Orders and interprets diagnostic studies under the direction of the attending physician, including radiographs, MRIs, EMG studies, CT scans, diagnostic ultrasounds, rehabilitation referrals, and physician referrals. Educates patients on exercise instructions and demonstrations. Proves guidance to patients regarding the treatment plan, surgery, rehabilitation, and future care. Fits patients with splints, crutches, braces, wraps, and other various durable medical equipment as directed by the attending physician. Educates patients on the appropriate use of the equipment provided to the patient. Removes sutures or staples and provides proper post-operative wound care and education to patients as directed by the attending physician. Assists with injections and preparations to include cleaning and disinfecting the area and preparing materials to be utilized both prior and after the injection. Documents each patient visit following the outlined guidelines in the electronic medical record to include the history, physical exam, diagnostic test results, impression, plan, and patient learning. Collaborates with clinical team to manage physician's clinic schedules and coordinate patient care services with other healthcare providers. Assures a timely response to patients. May assist with ordering clinical supplies, DME, and stock exam rooms. May have on-call rotation responsibilities to support the practice weekday and/or weekend.

Operating Room Surgical Assist (only if working with an Orthopedic surgeon): Completes the Asepsis Training as required by the hospital. Applies advanced knowledge of normal and pathological surgical anatomy and physiology. Communicates the surgeon’s preferences and specific patient’s needs to the surgical team including but not limited to suture needs, specialty supplies, and instrumentation, and equipment. Provides preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative skills as appropriately trained and directed by the attending physician.

• Patient Liaison
  • Provides relationship-based patient centered care that is consistent with population specific characteristics (e.g. age, gender, disease, etc) in a manner that adapts service delivery to reflect an understanding of cultural diversity.
  • Always partners with the patient and significant others and/or family (as appropriate) using such appropriate method for setting and purpose (e.g.,Huddles; interdisciplinary rounds; just in time and explanation of physicians instructions ); keeping the patient at ease in the physician’s office, and making the patient’s goals the focus of the plan of care.
  • Practices using current clinical practice standards.

• Team Work and Collaboration
  • Coordinates the delivery and documentation of safe quality patient care that promotes the professional care delivery model. This includes interdisciplinary communication methods (huddles, interdisciplinary rounds); completion of timely documentation and promotion of a respectful, inclusive clinical environment.
  • Demonstrates teamwork and collaboration by practicing in a manner that is fiscally responsible and promotes the recruitment and retention of all healthcare team members.

• Professional Development and Initiative
  • Completes all initial and ongoing professional competency assessment, required mandatory education, and population specific education.
  • May be asked to serve as a preceptor for onboarding other ATCs, Medical Assistants/students and is an exemplary role model for all staff or students for all disciplines to ensure that there is a current and future qualified workforce; modeling professionalism and creating a healthy work environment.

• Evidence Based Practice and Research
  • Promotes Evidence based practice, in regard to safety, quality patient care. Participates in activities such as value analysis as part of the decision-making process in evaluating patient care products.
  • Upholds all health care system/organizational policies and procedures and clinical competencies put forth by this job description and professional association including legal, regulatory and accreditation requirements and standards ensuring by way of example, such goals as TJC Patient Safety Goals and WellStar Health Systems’ safety absolutes. May serve as practice Safety Coach.
  • Participates in data collection poses relevant clinical questions to advanced evidence based practice. Consults appropriate experts and uses appropriate resources and evidence to address practice questions.

• Resources and Support
  • Proactively plans for the care of patients across the care continuum in the course of giving direct patient care.
  • Participates in the development of protocols and procedures when called upon or through self-initiation in collaboration with care managers and other members of the health care team to achieve best practice outcomes (i.e., relevant patient populations).
  • Supports efficient and effective use of human and material resources.

• Qualifications
• Bachelors Kinesiology Required or
• Bachelors Exercise Science Required or
• Bachelors Other Required or
• Masters Kinesiology Preferred
• Masters Exercise Science Preferred
• Masters Other Preferred
• Other / Certificate Athletic Training Required
• Minimum 5 years experience as an Athletic Trainer Preferred
• Minimum 2 years work experience in a Physician practice setting Preferred
• Certified Athletic Trainer
• Basic Life Support
• BLS - Instructor
• BLS - Provisional