Adv Pract Prof - Ortho, Sports Medicine

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE: 

1. BOC National Board Certification as an Athletic Trainer required. 

2. Licensed Athletic Trainer by the WV Board of Physical Therapy.   

3. Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree as Athletic Trainer required.   

4. American Heart Association BLS Certification required with additional Advanced Life Support training at the discretion of the department.   

EXPERIENCE: 

1. Eligible new Athletic Trainer graduates will be considered; however, two years of Athletic Training is preferred.     

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND/OR LICENSURE: 

1. Master’s Degree in Athletic Training preferred. 

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties.  Other duties may be assigned. 

1. Utilize Athletic Training skills to perform evaluation/ assessment of patients. 

2. Perform athlete injury evaluations and administer appropriate treatment/ first aid.  

3. Provide rehabilitation services to injured athletes.  

4. Perform patient education and design/ implement exercise program as indicated by provider.  

5. Provide education to sports medicine patients for the prevention of athletic injuries and refer to provider when appropriate.  

6. Perform casting and splinting of extremities, basic wound care, and dressing changes using sterile procedures.  

7. Prepare injection and procedure trays in a sterile fashion and remove sutures and staples as indicated by the provider. 

8. Take messages for providers and return calls to patients. 

9. Evaluates sports medicine patients and serves as a coordinator for follow up procedures and tests in the ambulatory setting (as applicable). 

10. Assists in the collection of outcome measures (as applicable). 

11. Demonstrates the ability to utilize equipment in a safe manner. 

12. Promotes an environment that facilitates learning by responding to appropriate patient/family preferences, priorities and readiness to learn. 

13. Updates own knowledge base throughout the year. 

14. Completes all identified clinical competencies. 

15. Serves as a resource person for staff caring for the sports medicine patient. 

16. Provides educational programs to professional and paraprofessional personnel in area of expertise. 

17. Participates in community programs, distribution of literature, as appropriate in area of expertise. 

18. Documents the plan of care, interventions, and evaluations in a clear and concise manner for every patient visit in the patient’s medical record following approved hospital/UHA policies and compliance standards for documentation.   

19. Collaborates with other leaders and staff to effectively achieve patient outcome-based improvements in care. 

20. Works collaboratively with medical and nursing staff to facilitate creative problem solving and provide professional support. 

21. Participates and initiates inter-disciplinary approaches to patient care, program development and education.  Serves as a professional role model. 

22. Assists sports medicine Faculty, Administrators and Directors in the collection of outcome measures. 

23. With the collaboration of sports medicine faculty or by following established clinical Guidelines and Protocols, orders additional tests or consults as deemed appropriate. 

24. Performs and communicates results of diagnostic tests following established clinical guidelines and scope of practice. 

25. Consults and communicates with appropriate provider staff regarding abnormal findings in the evaluations of patients. 

26. Performs succinct comprehensive clinical evaluations and documents findings. 

27. Develops a comprehensive individualized plan of care for sports medicine patients, which includes teaching, disposition planning and necessary referral to other members of the health care team as necessary. 

28. Demonstrates expertise in caring for patients across the age continuum of their educational experience and certification. 

29. Identifies unstable or complex sports medicine patient care situations and facilitates appropriate intervention in the clinic and/or hospital setting. 

30. Recognizes emergency situations and initiates effective emergency care. 

31. Evaluates sports medicine patients and serves as a coordinator for follow up procedures and tests in the ambulatory setting (as applicable). 

32. Demonstrates critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision making by the identification, evaluation, and management of the individual needs of patients/families. 

33. Bases decisions made/actions taken on the relevant scientific principles, established standards of care and/or research findings. 

34. Utilizes teaching/learning theory and appropriate teaching strategies in the provision of education to nursing staff, hospital staff, students, patients, families, and the community. 

35. Provides leadership in the development and implementation of changes in the sports medicine practice that positively impact patient outcomes. 

36. Promotes and practices innovation of the expanded role in the delivery of care to sports medicine patients and families throughout the inpatient hospitalization, and the ambulatory setting. 

37. Other duties/projects as assigned. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

1. Heavy/Hard Work:  Work requires strength and/or stamina, lifting, moving, stooping, reaching, positioning of patients, standing, walking, and carrying of patients, materials and equipment weighing 40+ pounds. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

1. Working closely with others. 

2. Protracted or irregular hours. 

3. Working around biohazards. 

4. Working around infectious diseases. 

6. Working with hands in water. 

7. Electrical hazards associated with patient care equipment. 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

1. Proficiency with computers. 

2. Strong communication skills.