VCU Health

Athletic Trainer- Clinic

Richmond, VA Full time
The Ambulatory Athletic Trainer provides, develops, coordinates, and manages clinical duties related to the Orthopedic Surgery service line division. This job will support clinical care across multiple outpatient locations, requiring interdisciplinary partnership with multiple providers within the division. The position collaborates with Ambulatory Leadership, Division Chair, Medical Director, in the development and management of processes to provide safe, timely ambulatory care needs.

The Ambulatory Athletic Trainer will have a working knowledge of outpatient management of patients within the Orthopedic Surgery division, including general medical, complex medical, pre-operative and post-operative care.

Essential Job Statements

Follows documented physician/licensed provider orders, including standing orders, within the boundaries of the state of Virginia Board of Medicine licensure, established standards, policies, and practice guidelines.

Triages patient calls and in basket messages in accordance with ambulatory and division specific standards; may include after hours calls/ messages related to contracted outreach patients.

Facilitates training as needed to improve the specialty knowledge base across all ambulatory clinic locations.

Partners with care team to complete chart prep for return visits; reviews records (lab work, imaging, diagnostic reports) prior to patient visit.

Completes necessary new patient referrals, ensures outside records including prior completed imaging are available, performs chart review/prep to ensure patients are scheduled into the correct clinic. Ensures all appropriate orders are pended prior to the visit date.

Provides disease and procedure-specific education to patients in clinic.

Creates educational materials to support commonly encountered topics within division.

May assist providers during clinical procedures across the division to include but not limited to PRP, ultrasound, Compartment testing, intra-articular injections, Flouorscopy guided procedures.

Partners with providers, Assistant Clinical Manager/Clinic Manager, Program Coordinators, outreach Athletic Trainers and Nurse Navigators to ensure continuity of care across clinic sites for division patients with expertise in service, preoperative, postoperative, and medical management to specific patient populations. 

Performs multi-site support staff visits as ordered/directed by providers to include education, treatments, casting/brace fitting, wound care, and/or assessments.

Supports prior authorization requirements specific to emergent / same day prior authorizations and denial appeals.

Partners with Assistant Clinical Manager/Clinical Manager and clinic nursing staff to aid providers in obtaining clinic testing and treatment.

Consistently monitors patient satisfaction and customer feedback, taking prompt action on issues striving for service excellence. 

Serves as a clinical role model and division subject matter expert for management of ambulatory patients across multiple sites to include biomechanical concerns, concussion, return to play considerations, and exercise prescription.

Seeks collaborative relationships that can lead to effective partnerships in research, evidence based practice or process improvement. Contributes to revising and developing clinical practice and/or care guidelines for specific patient populations using current best evidence and shares the synthesis of current best evidence at the department/division level.

Takes appropriate actions to enhance positive outcomes, even in the most challenging situations.

Actively participate in clinical visit activities to include check-in, rooming, and check-out as applicable. Anticipates needs to provide quality and efficient care for patients.

Maintains professional growth and development in specialty through ongoing process of formal and informal education and training.

Performs other duties as assigned and/or participates in special events/projects in order to support the mission of VCUHS and the division.

Accepts alternate assignments as required.

Patient Population: Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit.  Demonstrates knowledge and related competencies of the principles of growth and development of the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to  their age, specific needs and to provide the equitable care needed as described in departmental policies and procedures. Infant (1-12 months), Pediatrics (1-12 years), Adolescents (13-17 years), Adults (18-64 years), Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Employment Qualifications

Required Education: Bachelor’s degree in Bachelor’s Degree in a specialized curriculum accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education

Preferred Education: Master’s degree in in a specialized curriculum accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, Healthcare or other related field, Completion of an Athletic Training Residency program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education

Licensing/ Certification

Licensure/Certification Required: Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia as an Athletic Trainer. National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Board of Certification (BOC) Current ECC certification

Licensure/Certification Preferred: Orthopedic Technologist Certification, OTC; or BOC Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedics, BCS-O

Minimum Qualifications

Years and Type of Required Experience: Two (2) years previous athletic training experience.

Years and Type of Preferred Experience: Two (2) years athletic training experience in orthopedic or sports medicine clinic. 1-2 years experience in the designated pediatric or adult division

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: Strong communication and time management skills. Ability to set priorities, make timely decisions, and meet multiple deadlines. Ability to work collaboratively within a large complex, fast-paced environment.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred: N/A

Working Conditions: Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur. General office environment. May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse. May be required to use physical restraints. May be exposed to adverse weather conditions; cold, hot, dust, wind, etc. Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions. Long-distance or air travel as needed- not to exceed 10% travel. May be exposed to high noise levels. May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids. * May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials. * May have periods of constant interruptions. Prolonged periods of working alone.

* Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Physical Requirements

Physical Demands: Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.), Lifting/ Carrying (50-100 lbs.), Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.), Push/ Pull (50-100 lbs.), Stoop, Kneel, Squat, Crawling, Climbing, Balance, Bending

Working Position: Sitting, Walking, Standing

Additional Physical Requirements/ Hazards

Physical Requirements: Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination), Maneuver weight of patients, Hear alarms/telephone/tape recorder, Reach above shoulder, Repetitive arm/hand movements, Finger Dexterity, Color Vision, Acuity – near 

Hazards: Depth perception, Exposure to  Toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents, Exposure to moving mechanical parts, Exposure to dust/fumes, Exposure to x ray/electromagnetic energy, Exposure to high pitched noises, Gaseous risk exposure 


Mental/Sensory – Emotional   

Mental/Sensory: Strong Recall, Reasoning, Problem Solving, Hearing, Speak Clearly, Write Legibly, Reading, Logical Thinking

Emotional: Fast pace environment, Steady Pace, Able to Handle Multiple Priorities, Frequent and Intense Customer Interactions, Noisy Environment, Able to Adapt to Frequent Change 

Days

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.