Athletic Trainer / Orthopedics

Athletic Trainer

Schedule: Mon-Fri, 0800-1630

At Children's, the region's only full-service pediatric healthcare center, our people make us the very best for kids. Come cultivate your passion, purpose and professional development in an environment of excellence and inclusion, where team members are supported and deeply valued. Opportunities for career growth abound as we grow our services and spaces, including the cutting-edge Hubbard Center for Children. Join our highly engaged, caring teamand join us in providing brighter, healthier tomorrows for the children we serve. Children's is committed to diversity and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer including veterans and people with disabilities.

A Brief Overview: Practices according to the NATABOC standards of professional practice and complies with all the legal requirements regulating the practice of athletic training. Assures continued competency of professional performance, knowledge and skill evidenced by professional development and maintaining current knowledge related to all aspects of practice. Under the direction of a physician, manages the needs of the patient within a clinic setting and provides athletic training intervention by reviewing, revising, and implementing techniques or discharging athletic training services as deemed appropriate. Documentation of the evaluation, intervention and change in health status is performed as required in Standard 7 of the BOC standards of professional practice. Participates in the education of student athletic trainers. Performs athletic training duties at special events as requested by department leadership.

Essential Functions:

• 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.
• Collects and documents data related to patient's physical, mental, developmental, emotional and social condition.
• Demonstrates age-specific competency in assessment of patients by the ability to obtain and interpret information in terms of the patients' needs, knowledge of growth and development, and understanding the range of treatment needed by these patients.
• Assesses family expectations for, and involvement in the assessment and continuous care or treatment of the patient.
• Able to meet families' expectations during their visit to the clinic.
• Communicates plan of care to the patient/family so they can understand.
• Able to identify/assess the need for Physician involvement or a potential change in plan of care.
• Coordinates patient care to ensure continuity of care.
• Documentation and evaluation of patient care actions
• Facilitates timely communication to/from patient/family and other healthcare disciplines; answers patient care related questions, requests etc. Phone calls are returned in the same business day received.
• Reviews 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.
• Follows up on tests, lab results, thoroughly and within established time frames. Lab tests are followed up on within 48 hours after test results obtained.
• Considers cultural, cognitive, emotional, and social influences on the patient/families ability and readiness to learn.
• All teaching is documented on the EMR to include understanding of topics taught.
• Works in conjunction with physicians, physician assistants, nurses, medical assistants, and physical therapists, to provide appropriate treatments to injured children in the clinic setting.
• Gathers patient information in a timely, concise, thorough manner and conveys this to the Physician.
• Assists Physician in clinic to maintain a good workflow and meet expectations of customers in relation to being on time.
• Demonstrates effective delegation techniques.
• Instructs patients and families in therapeutic exercise and develops Home Exercise Programs for individual patients in clinic.
• Instructs patients in walker/crutch/gait training.
• Acts 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.
• Communicates 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.
• Performs and is accountable for specialized projects, tasks or office functions as negotiated with the management team.
• Works as part of a team to coordinate smooth functioning of the clinic.
• Coordinates, develops and implements injury and illness prevention strategies for athletes and the physically active.
• Communicates with Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Sports Physical Therapy teams to provide integrated home exercise programs.
• Provides sports injury prevention instruction and techniques to patients, parents, coaches and others in the community.
• Develops evidence-based education programs for sport-specific, gender-specific or injury-specific conditions.
• Presents educational programs to patients, parents, coaches and other members of the community.
• Communicates effectively with patients, parents, other providers (MD, ATCs, PTs, etc...) and the community.
• Speaks clearly and intelligibly, using professional language that is suited to the educational level of the recipient in communicating with others.
• Demonstrates organizational and analytical skills to solve problems, make decisions and develop systems and processes for effective workflow and financial viability.
• Develops, implements and monitors systems and processes to promote effective and efficient operations of programs and services.
• Supports organizational strategic imperatives. Maintains effective and efficient use of providers, personnel, equipment, and capital.
• Participates in seminars, clinical programs and lecture series for physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, coaches, allied health and applied science professionals.
• Provides positive and effective customer service in support of the Program and health system operations.
• Applies therapeutic modalities as prescribed in accordance with Nebraska state law and NATABOC standards of care.
• Performs a variety of pediatric orthopedic clinical support functions
• Orders of orthopedic casting supplies /appliances/soft wear appliances/within established budget as approved by manager.
• Maintain inventory of instruments, casting, splinting, bracing supplies, and other DME as necessary
• Applies and adjusts plaster casts/fiberglass casts and assembles orthopedic traction equipment and devices
• Works with the orthopedic provider in caring for patients with injured joints and bones.
• Modify and replace casts as needed, under the direction of a provider
• Instructs orthopedic patients in caring for their injuries, understand and adjust traction equipment, adjust crutches, walkers, and other aids and provide instructions to patients in their use.
• Serve as a contact for families with children in casts to provide additional information and resources as necessary.
• Develop educational material for patients and families about various types of casts and cast care related to immobilization.
• Responsible for the accurate recording and reporting of facts, including evaluation and treatment rendered to the patient; all entries in the medical record must be reviewed and signed by the supervising physician.
• May assist orthopedic provider with plan of treatment for patients
• Instruct and supervise Residents, Medical students, and PA students in the application of various types of casts and splints.
• Applies and removes all types of traction, casts, splints and other non-invasive immobilization devices and equipment
• Train new employees in the removal of casts and application of casts, splints, and other DME as necessary.
• Ensure cast saws and other cast related equipment are in proper working order.
• Assist with the removal of superficial orthopedic hardware such as pins.
• Post operatively: Application of casts, splints and other non-invasive orthopedic devices and equipment; Cast and splint changes, dressing changes with routine wound care as necessary; Chart progress notes as necessary.

Education Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Athletic Training or an accredited educational program by the NATA-BOC. Equivalent work experience may substitute for education Required
• Master's Degree in a related field Preferred

Experience Qualifications:

• 1-3 years experience working as an athletic trainer in orthopedics/sports medicine Required

Skills and Abilities:

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