Athletic Trainer - Certified (Full-Time)

Description:
Position Summary

The Athletic Trainer position is for trainers who are sitting for the licensing exams to become a Certified Athletic Trainer. This position may give sports medicine training consultative and application services to clients, schools, and athletic events for private (but not public) schools. Assists clients according to physician orders. Provides assistance in marketing for the facility. Follows all policies and procedures, upholding the mission, vision, and core values of Natchitoches Parish Hospital. The person in this position participates in operational aspects of the department, maintains performance improvement activities within the department, and participates in CQI activities. Participates in all infection control, departmental equipment training, organizational safety, and fire safety programs.

Primary Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary responsibilities.

1. Introduces self with full name to patient prior to start of any activities.
2. Observes patient’s color, level of responsiveness, degree of perspiration, and pulmonary status throughout treatment session.
3. Monitors vital signs should the patient’s medical condition warrant it, or if required during the normal course of therapy. Accurately measures heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.
4. Implements all components of a comprehensive athletic injury/illness prevention program.
5. Performs proper taping procedures as required.
6. Monitors environmental conditions/risks where applicable.
7. Performs maintenance checks on protective equipment.
8. Educates athletes on proper stretching techniques.
9. Conducts a thorough initial clinical evaluation of injuries and illnesses commonly sustained by the competitive athlete.
10. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of functional anatomy.
11. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of characteristic pathology of all common closed soft tissue injuries, open wounds, and fractures.
12. Explains to athlete the human body’s normal immediate and delayed physiological response to trauma. 
13. Demonstrates ability to recognize observable clinical signs associated with common athletic injuries. 
14. Locates and palpates key anatomical structures commonly involved in injury pathology.
15. Provides appropriate first aid and emergency for acute athletic injury/illnesses.
16. Obtains knowledge and demonstrates compliance with infection control policies.
17. Practices standard precautions in patient care activities.
18. Appropriately handles and disposes of sharps. 
19. Appropriately disposes of all biohazardous materials.
20. Educates coaches and athletes on risk factors associated with exposure to blood and body secretions.
21. Provides healthcare information and counsels athletes, parents, and coaches on matters pertaining to the physical, psychological, and emotional health and well being of the athlete.
22. Acts as a liaison between physicians, coaches, athletes, and parents.
23. Counsels athletes regarding the psychological effects of physical injury.
24. Educates coaches and administrators on signs of common eating disorders where applicable.
25. Counsels coaches and athletes on the ill effects of commonly abused drugs, including performance enhancing drugs.
26. Plans and implements a comprehensive rehabilitation or reconditioning program for the injured athlete.
27. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of Manual Muscle testing techniques.
28. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of goniometry and other commonly used measurement techniques.
29. Demonstrates ability to properly instruct athletes in the proper use of crutches.
30. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of the proper use of therapeutic modalities.

Competencies

• Basic computer knowledge.
• Ability  to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Basic knowledge of modalities, anatomy, and physiology.

Supervisory Responsibility
None.

Requirements:
Required Education and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in a related field required. 
2. Current CPR certification required (may be obtained during orientation).
3. Experience working with modalities required.
4. Must be sitting for licensing exams by the LA State Board of Medical Examiners for state certification.

Preferred Education and Experience
One year previous experience preferred. 
NATA certified preferred.