Transition to Practice Program - Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)

Position Purpose

The Bates Sports Medicine Department and St. Mary's Orthopedics have designed an eleven-month Transition to Practice program to offer newly credentialed athletic training professionals an opportunity to broaden and enhance their clinical and professional skills as they continue to develop their practice. The program will allow the newly certified athletic trainer to meet these goals through:

• Collaborative care with a staff athletic trainer for at least one Division III intercollegiate athletic team with opportunities to provide care for student-athletes from 31 varsity programs with a focus on contact collision sport.
• Direct care of patients in an orthopedic practice within St. Mary's Orthopedics.
• Fulfillment of administrative responsibilities as assigned by Associate Director of Athletics- Performance and Sports Medicine.
• Mentorship from Athletic Training Transition to Practice Program Director as well as other staff athletic trainers and staff at St. Mary's Orthopedics.
• Obtaining certification as an Orthopedic Physician Extender Certification through the National Board for Certification in the Orthopedic Specialties.

This position is a benefits eligible 11 month term appointment. Term begins the second week of July and ends the second week of June.

The Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) supports intercollegiate athletics and is responsible for the care and wellbeing of student-athletes through the provision of athletic training services including testing, evaluation, assignment of training regimens, and treatment of injuries, rehabilitation and medical referrals. The ATC works directly with student-athletes to provide care, education, counseling, evaluation, treatment and rehab of athletic injuries and illnesses both on campus and at game venues. The ATC must follow the athletic philosophy consistent with that of the Bates Athletic Department, NESCAC and NCAA.

Job Duties

Prevention of Athletic Injuries

• Works collaboratively with Bates Health Services to review pre-participation sport physicals to screen for orthopedic problems or issues that could/may affect the student–athletes safe participation.
• Provides injury prevention measures such as appliances, braces and devices for control of joint motion and limb protections.
• Ensures proper equipment use and fitting such as helmets, shoulder pads, braces, mouth pieces. The use of tape or wraps.
• May assist in the selection and fitting of protective equipment.

Evaluation

• Evaluates athletic injuries through a subjective history, objective findings through observation, palpation, special tests, manual muscle testing and range of motion tests.
• Formulates assessments and executes plans of action that best aid/fit student–athletes’ health needs and determines student-athletes’ safe return to sport participation.
• Collaborates with the team physician to utilize concussion assessment tool(s) in determining the safe return of a concussed student-athlete.

Treatment/Rehabilitation

• Uses discretion in designing and developing treatment or reconditioning/rehab plans of athletic injuries.
• Uses treatment modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, hydrotherapy and therapeutic exercise.
• Recognizes and manipulates conditions which require special taping, bracing, padding, either preventative or rehabilitative.
• Refers student-athletes to external medical care based on student-athletes’ needs following the evaluation and assessment of the ATC.
• Provides regular injury reports and reports status and progress of injured athletes to team physician and coaches.

Documentation

• Complies with policies and rules of Bates Athletics, NESCAC and the NCAA related to medical care for student-athletes.
• Maintains confidential documentation and record keeping of injury reports and progress notes on all active student-athletes. Ensures that each file is up-to-date to facilitate insurance billing and payments and for any future medical or legal claims.
• Adheres to HIPPA standards in protecting student-athletes’ medical privacy.

Other

• Serves as a primary coordinator of care and communication for student-athletes between Central Maine Medical Center and Bates Health Services.
• Attends various sport practices and competitions (home and away).
• Provides water for hydration during practices and games.
• Cooperates and collaborates with sports medicine staff, Bates Health Services, nutrition staff, academic support services, student-athletes to ensure proper communication of student-athlete needs or concerns.
• Coordinates and schedules appointments with physicians and/or other medical professionals/disciplines for student-athletes.
• Arranges transportation as needed for injured athletes.
• Assists with clean up and maintenance of athletic training room(s), weight room equipment and related facilities to help prevent disease transmission and to ensure that equipment works properly.
• Assists in identifying and purchasing equipment and supplies for the Office of Athletic Performance.
• Understands and models Department of Athletics philosophy and goals as set forth by the Director of Athletics and the Associate Director of Athletics - Performance and Sports Medicine.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training or other health related field (biology, nutrition, physical education).
• Master’s degree in Athletic Training or other health related field preferred.
• National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Certification.
• Maine Licensure or must be able to apply for Maine Licensure within 90 days of employment.
• First Aid and CPR Certification per NATABOC guidelines.
• Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Training.
• Participation in NATA continuing education programs to maintain certification(s).

Experience

• Clinical experience at the college level is preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with the academic environment and higher education, preferably the liberal arts.

Skills and Knowledge

• Commitment to equity and inclusion, and serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse community.
• Excellent communication (written, verbal and presentation) skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills; ability to synthesize complex or diverse information.
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities with minimal supervision.
• Impeccable organizational (time, task, project management) skills and ability to coordinate resources and staff within the college community.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships. Must be flexible, collaborative and have a positive attitude.
• Proficiency in basic data management systems and basic computer applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Willingness and ability to learn additional applications as needed.
• Ability and willingness to travel (by car, air, train or bus) domestically and internationally as needed.
• Ability and willingness to work early mornings, weekends, evenings and other non-traditional schedules.

Benefits

Bates College offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits (health, dental, sick leave, 24 days of vacation, 2 personal days, 13 paid holidays, dependent care subsidy, free parking, access to library and athletic facilities & more), and a supportive, collegial environment in a drug and smoke-free workplace.