Athletic Trainer

Job Description

The Athletic Trainer - Athletics reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Athletic Trainer - Athletics provides athletic training services to patients under the direction of a physician and reports directly through the Athletic Training Services Supervisor to the Director of Athletic Training Services. This position coordinates the care for patients within the sports medicine department, including but not limited to performing evaluations, administering treatment and rehabilitation, making referrals to external clinicians, and making athletic participation and return to play decisions as appropriate and in accordance with established departmental protocol. 

Responsibilities:

Patient Care:Provides athletic training services to patients under the direction of a physician

Creates and maintains a complete medical record

Evaluates, manages, and rehabilitates acute injuries and medical conditions

Provides ongoing care, maintenance, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions as indicated

Provides emergency management, communication, and medical care through the creation and execution of emergency action plans

Determines participation status and executes with the unchallengeable authority to return and/or remove a patient to/from participation

Refers to internal and external specialists and sub-specialists as indicated

Provides coverage of athletic practices and competitions, which may include travel and non-traditional hours during mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays

Coordinates and/or completes components of pre-participation screening and physical examinations

Creates and executes an annual continuing education plan consistent with established guidelines to maintain professional licensure and certification

Communicates appropriate information regarding patient health and participation status across multidisciplinary and high-performance team members, including but not limited to, team physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, athletics administration, coaches, academic support services, performance nutrition, sports performance, sports psychology and equipment staffs

Precepts professional and post-professional education of learners in programs including, but not limited to, athletic training, physical therapy, and medical education

Coordinates physician clinical visits, medical testing, and follow up care, including but not limited to, obtaining relevant patient history, obtaining vital signs and ECG, performing point of care testing, coordinating diagnostic imaging, and fitting durable medical equipment

Measures, evaluates, and interprets metrics of sports performance and sports science

Delivers educational materials to various stakeholders, including but not limited to, patients, coaches, parents, and administrators

Ensures patient’s rights by maintaining confidentiality and privacy during care.

Demonstrates patient centered care and excellent customer service in accordance with NM’s Patients First values.

AdministrativeDevelops and executes administrative duties as assigned and in compliance with departmental, university, athletic conference, and NCAA policy

Participates in program and departmental strategic planning

Develops and completes annual departmental and personal goals

Maintains, orders, and appropriately dispenses or administers medical supplies inventory, including but not limited to, durable medical equipment, therapeutic agents, and over the counter and prescription medication

Measures the effectiveness of clinical practice through various metrics, including but not limited to, patient rated outcome measures, patient satisfaction questionnaires, and functional assessments

Analyzes performance metrics and injury risk/rate trends to develop and execute programming adjustments as indicated

Participates in scholarly activities including, but not limited to, professional presentations, research, and professional service opportunities

Possess knowledge of and ensures compliance with rules and regulations governing or directing patient care and administrative tasks related to assigned duties and/or patient panel

Performs other clinical and administrative duties as assigned

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