Surgical Athletic Trainer - Spine

JOB SUMMARY

The Surgical Athletic Trainer supports one of our orthopedic physicians in both the clinic and operating room environment. The Surgical Athletic Trainer performs injury assessments, assists the physician with treatment and performs follow-up care. The Surgical Athletic Trainer acts as a first assist in the operating room. The Surgical Athletic Trainer will be joining an operative and non-operative spine care team for all age groups with specigic experise in orthopaedic spine trauma, complex deformities, and cervical spine conditions.

This is a full-time, hourly position with a standard 40 hour work week and occasional overtime. This position works Monday through Friday from 8a-5p. This position is eligible for full-time benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, employer-paid long-term disability, continuing education credits, PTO, 401K, and birthday time off! This position is also eligible for a monthly productivity based bonus.

This position is required to work in Edwards, Vail, and Frisco, Colorado.

This position is posted until December 30th, 2026 or until filled.

THE DETAILS OF THE JOB

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists team in maintaining an efficient clinic schedule including but not limited to scheduling appointments, chart preparation, patient flow. Acts as liaison between patient, physician, and office staff.
• Assists the physician including but not limited to the following: taking patient history, taking vital signs, initial physical examination, ordering appropriate imaging, Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision (ICD-10) coding, and other necessary documentation.
• Discuss patient’s history, initial physical examination, imaging, assessment, and plan of care with physician and/or PA-C.
• Carry out prescribed treatments and recommendations by the team physician or PA-C.
• Responsible for patient setup and education of in office procedures. Prepares for and assists physician with in-office procedures.
• Responsible for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) fitting and product education, casting application and removal, suture/staple removal, and wound care.
• Document all evaluations and treatments in Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.
• Triages and responds timely and appropriately to patient messages, phone calls and questions, relaying imaging/tests results and physician recommendations, whether it is resolving issues within the scope of duties or utilizing physician or other team members as needed.
• Assist with daily operations of cleaning and maintaining orderly exam rooms, stocking medical supplies, cleaning, and maintaining workspace, etc.
• Cleans, disinfects, and sterilizes instruments used in the office following standardized procedures.
• Liaison with surgery schedulers and ensure appropriate information is shared for accurate surgery set-up.
• Acts as a first assistant to the physician including but not limited to the following: patient setup, sterile preparation of the surgical area, retraction, graft preparation, wound closure, dressing/splint application in the hospital or surgery center, post-operative instruction and education.
• Use proper infection control procedures adopted by affiliated Surgery Centers and hospitals.
• Meet the Company’s expectations as described in the VSON Policies and Practices.
• Maintain confidentiality of Personal Identifiable Information (PII) in accordance with company Policies and State and Federal laws, including OHSA and HIPAA regulations.
• Perform job in accordance with all company safety practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND DECISION-MAKING

• Decisions and actions made on the job affect safety and the levels of service provided and have an impact on patient experience by serving as a representative of the company.
• This position is on a team or acts as an individual contributor and does not supervise employees.
• The position receives high-level guidance in performing multifaceted or complex functions, establishes priorities, resolves issues, and sometimes refers to a supervisor.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Physician and Team
• Cross-departmental relationships
• Patients and patients’ family members
• Hospital and surgery center staff

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND CONDITIONS

This job operates in a medical office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, fax machines, etc.

This role may have frequent exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, ionizing radiation, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a clinic environment.

Work may be stressful at times. Interaction with others is constant and may be interruptive. Contact involves dealing with injured people who may be upset or angry with their situation.

The noise level is usually moderate but can occasionally be loud due to the volume of physicians and patients in the office.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The position is very physical and requires standing for long periods of time, stooping, kneeling, crouching, bending, stretching, supporting of patients’ body weight.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or listen. It is necessary to view a computer monitor for medium periods of time.

Duties require manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard and mouse, telephone, copier, scanner, and other office equipment as necessary.

Requirements

WHAT IT TAKES TO DO THE JOB

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Skilled understanding of anatomy, physical evaluation, surgical procedures, orthopaedic recovery/rehabilitation procedures, and emergency procedures.
• Ability to provide comprehensive, clear documentation in the patient’s EMR including but not limited to history, physical examination, and progress.
• Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, building rapport, trust, confidence, and goodwill with potential and assigned patients. Must proactively and effectively communicate with office team and physician.
• Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Ability to use deductive reasoning to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense, as well as inductive reasoning to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Ability to keep detailed reports, and use information technology including email, web navigation, Microsoft Suite programs, clinic information systems.
• Ability to communicate with different audiences in a simple, clear, and concise manner.
• Ability to work under pressure and with strict deadlines.
• Ability to have self-direction and efficient time management.
• Ability to identify when confidentiality, discretion and judgment are needed, and exhibit these traits appropriately.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATES

• Master’s Degree in Athletic Training or related field required
• Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) through Board of Certification (BOC) required
• American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Certification required
• Colorado Athletic Training License or eligible required
• Colorado Surgical Assistant License or eligible required
• Completion of an AT fellowship or residency program highly preferred, or minimum of 2 years of clinic and Operating Room experience required
• Orthopaedic Technologist Certification (OTC) or Orthopaedic Physician Extender (OPE) preferred but not required

ABOUT THIS POSITION

NOTICE

This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities for this job. The duties, expectations and actions listed for this role may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO STATEMENT

We believe diversity makes us stronger. Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetics, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.