Transcript A Day In the Life of an Certified Athletic Trainer…

A Day in the Life of a
Certified Athletic Trainer…
Industrial Setting
© 2008 National Athletic Trainers Association
www.nata.org
Certified athletic trainers are a natural fit for working with workers in light industrial
and other commercial locations. Their educational background,
clinical experiences and knowledge of musculoskeletal
injuries and illnesses make them ideal for controlling costs and increasing
productivity.
Industrial workers - sometimes referred to as
industrial athletes - benefit from working with athletic
trainers because the physical nature of their jobs—such as lifting, squatting and
repetitive overhead motions—makes
them susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries.
As unique healthcare professionals specializing in the
assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of such injuries, athletic
trainers help keep workers healthy and on the job.
This presentation will show you how one company has decreased the number of
workplace injuries, decreased the number of sick days taken by
employees and improved their bottom line by hiring a certified
athletic trainer.
www.nata.org
© 2007 National Athletic Trainers’
© 2009Association
National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
Essential Functions of an Industrial
Athletic Trainer- EVAL & REHAB

Implement treatment plans that
incorporate therapeutic exercise,
modalities and work conditioning

Develop written rehabilitation
policies and procedures to be
reviewed by the company
medical director

Perform comprehensive
ergonomic job analyses including:
– Task analysis
– Risk factor identification and
quantification
– Posture analysis
– Body mechanics analysis

Provide orthopedic injury
assessments covering such
areas as (but not limited to):
–
–
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–
–
–
–
–
–
Patient history
Observation
Palpation
Range of motion
Manual muscle strength
Reflex testing
Myotomes
Dermatomes
Special tests
www.nata.org
www.nata.org
© 2008
© 2009
National
National
Athletic
Athletic
Trainers’
Trainers’
Association
Association
(800)TRY-NATA
(800)TRY-NATA
Essential Functions of an Industrial
Athletic Trainer- DATA ANALYSIS
In industry, athletic trainers need to demonstrate
they are saving their employer money by being on
staff. Some ways you prove your worth are by:
• Measuring the direct and indirect costs of
musculoskeletal injuries and disorders
• Creating periodic reports showing:
-Rehab utilization
-Cost-savings
-Cost avoidance
• Participating in the NORA Program
-Collecting data to show how your
work has contributed to the clients
productive and speedy rehabilitation.
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
Essential Functions of an Industrial
Athletic Trainer
• Use innovation, creative solutions and
employee empowerment to design and/or
implement ergonomics interventions
.
• Administrative - completion of reports/forms
including:
- Patient files
- Invoices
- Monthly reports
- Budgets
- Expense reports
- Outcomes tools
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
Physical & Mental
Requirements
• Occasional lifting up to 30 lbs. is required to
move/transfer supplies and equipment or to
perform employee job tasks during ergonomic
job analyses
.
• Alternating periods; frequent to constant
standing and walking to perform job analyses
and meet with employees and other client
representatives as well as frequent to constant
sitting for long periods of time to attend meetings
and complete documentation as necessary
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
Physical & Mental
Requirements
• Frequent reaching, bending, stooping,
squatting, kneeling and gripping to administer
patient care and perform employee jobs tasks
during ergonomic job analyses
• Occasional climbing required to access plant
sites and job locations
.
• Must be able to perform near acuity, far acuity
and accommodation to complete documentation,
patient care and perform job analyses
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
I am an Athletic
Trainer Working in
INDUSTRY

Name:
Craig Halls, MBA, ATC,
LAT, CEES

Title:
Wellness Site Manager

Today, Craig Halls works as a corporate
athletic trainer at Aurora Healthcare– a career
move he was able to make because of his
experiences with Appleton.
Employer:
Appleton

Job location:
Appleton, Wisconsin
NATA Note:
As of October 2007, there were
more than 260 NATA members
working in the Occupational or
Industrial setting.
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
A Day in the Life of an
Industrial Athletic Trainer
MY ATHLETIC TRAINING EXPERIENCE LEVEL IS:
–
BS in Human Kinesiology
(UW-Milwaukee)
–
MBA (Cardinal Stritch University)
–
ATC
–
LAT in Wisconsin
–
Certified Ergonomic Evaluation Specialist
(CEES) through Roy Matheson program
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
The Certified Ergonomic Evaluation Specialist
(CEES)- Roy Matheson

Four-day Ergonomic Evaluation Certification Program

Earning the CEES recognizes a demonstrated competency in ergonomic
evaluation

Common credential in
– Fields of safety
– Allied health professions
– Human resources

The certification reflects a grounding in the multi-disciplinary nature of
ergonomic evaluation, its venues, issues and solutions.

These demonstrated skills are based on knowledge of guidelines from
– OSHA
– NIOSH
– The revised ANSI protocol
– Published clinical literature
For more information visit: www.roymetheson.com/erc_certification.html
or e-mail [email protected]
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Appleton – An Overview

The Appleton Coated Paper Company was founded in
1907

The company produces carbonless, thermal, security and
performance packaging products

World's largest producer of carbonless paper and the
only producer of the NCR PAPER* brand of carbonless
paper

North America's leading producers of thermal media

Headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin

Manufacturing operations are located in Wisconsin, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and the United Kingdom
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
Appleton – Staff

3,300 people employed company-wide

I am the only athletic trainer at my
location responsible for the health and
wellness of more than 1,200 employees
at my plant
NATA Note:
This population ratio is very
similar to an athletic trainer
working in secondary schools.
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
As Wellness Site
Manager …

Responsible for ensuring that all the employees stay
healthy, physically active and injury free

I manage the health and wellness programs for 1,200
employees in the Wisconsin location

Predominantly older workforce
– Ages 40 – 65
– Some younger college-aged workers

70% of the people I treat are production employees

Other patients or clients I treat are:
– Spouses
– Corporate (office) workers
– Retirees
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
A Day in the Life of an Industrial
Athletic Trainer
A typical schedule for my job is:

Monday – Friday

8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

No on-call

No weekends
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
A Day in the Life of a
Industrial Athletic Trainer

Salary range:
38k- 48k

Employee benefits include:
–
Health, dental and eye insurance
(no out of pocket)
–
3 weeks vacation
–
2 sick days per year
–
1 week personal leave
–
12% 401k contribution
NATA Note:
This average salary for an NATA member working in the
Industrial/Occupational setting:
Industrial/Occupational – Clinic $47,371
Industrial/Occupational – Ergonomics $43,714
Industrial/Occupational - Health/Wellness/Fitness $38,750
Industrial/Occupational - Other Capacity $49,940
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
Daily Duties- Injury Prevention

Ergonomics- high-level
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Utilize risk factor analysis tools (RULA, STRAIN Index,
NIOSH lifting equation, etc.).
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Solutions/interventions (administrative and engineering
controls). Modify equipment or job tasks and work with
employees on better lifting techniques. Pre shift exercise.

Physical Readiness/Conditioning

Health and Wellness

Assessment and Treatment
www.nata.org
© 2009
© 2008
National
National
Athletic
Athletic
Trainers’
Trainers’
Association
Association
(800)TRY-NATA
Daily Duties- Injury Management

On-site Physical Rehabilitation
–

Case Management
–

Under the direction of the corporate medical director, I
provide on-site rehab, such as modalities and therapeutic
exercise
Working closely with the on-site occupational health nurse,
we assisted employees with medical care and advice,
especially in “difficult” cases
Return to Work
–
Using the same principles of returning an athlete to a
sport, I helped injured employees with conditioning
programs to ensure a safe and injury-free return to regular
work duties
www.nata.org
©©2009
2008National
NationalAthletic
AthleticTrainers’
Trainers’Association
Association
(800)TRY-NATA
BREAK DOWN OF THE DAY

Treat 8-12 patients per day, usually 3-4 right away in the morning, and the rest
mixed in throughout the day based on THEIR work schedule

One hour a day in meetings, providing presentations to employees or
management; or else general meetings with safety director, HR manager,
occupational health nurse, etc.

Three hours per day on injury prevention programs. These include performing
ergonomic analysis, meeting with production supervisors to address concerns,
developing solutions with engineers, or explaining changes and/or train
employees on new and improved processes or equipment

One or two hours per day walking the production floor to meet with employees as
an early intervention program, building rapport, hearing their concerns and
discussing potential improvements/changes to their daily work duties

One hour a day answering e-mails, telephone calls, etc
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
In 2003 I helped the NATA to conduct a survey that helped provide evidence that
on-site occupational athletic training programs add value to the organizations
where athletic trainers work.
Read Craig’s ROI study at: http://www.nata.org/employers/hosp-clinic/deliver_ROI.htm
Survey highlights:
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100 percent of companies report that the certified athletic trainer provides a
positive return on investment (ROI)
–
Of companies that track ROI
30 percent indicate the ROI is at least $7
83 percent indicate the ROI is more than $3
–
94 percent of companies indicate the severity of injuries has decreased by at
least 25 percent
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Almost two-thirds of the companies indicate that the certified athletic trainer
has helped to decrease restricted workdays and workers’ compensation
claims for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) by more than 25 percent
–
50 percent of companies report that the number of injuries has decreased by
at least 50 percent
–
Almost half of the companies that utilize certified athletic trainers to provide
on-site physical rehab indicate that health care costs have decreased by
more than 50 percent
www.nata.org
© 2009
© 2008
National
National
Athletic
Athletic
Trainers’
Trainers’
Association
Association
(800)TRY-NATA
Appleton Testimonials:
"Our company has had a certified athletic trainer on-site since
2000, and since that time we have recognized the tremendous
upside in the tangible and intangible benefits of this addition,
including:
• Savings of more than $245,000 in just 2002 alone in health carerelated expenditures.
• Decrease of 67% for health care costs related to the low back
and 62% for costs to the upper extremity.
• Our days away from work have decreased by 60% in the last 3
years.
In the industrial setting, these results can be best
accomplished by an individual with the medical
knowledge and training of an athletic trainer. We wouldn't
have it any other way and will continue this program for
the long term."
- Dr. James E. Marotz, Corporate Medical Director at Appleton
Papers; Appleton, WI.
www.nata.org
© 2008
2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
Helpful Continuing
Education:

Ergonomic Certification

Wellness or Health Promotion
Certification

Job Site Analysis Certification
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
The Issues and
Opportunities Facing
Industrial Athletic
Trainers:

Issue: Justifying your
existence both to
management at your company
as well as other health care
providers.
- Opportunities: Educating
your employer and health care
providers about the profession
is always helpful. As well as,
participating in programs
which document and
objectively measure statistics
of a certified athletic trainer.
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
Why NATA members choose the
Industrial Setting = Quality of Life
www.nata.org
© 2009
© 2008
National
National
Athletic
Athletic
Trainers’
Trainers’
Association
Association
(800)TRY-NATA
Learn more at www.nata.org
Visit Career Development Resources on
NATA Web site and find:
- Videos
- Brochures
- PowerPoint Presentations
- Studies
- Marketing Materials
- Advisors to assist with your specific questions
*NATA members only section
Visit Career Development Resources TODAY
http://www.nata.org/members1/CareerDevelopment/index.cfm
www.nata.org
www.nata.org
© 2009
© 2008
National
National
Athletic
Athletic
Trainers’
Trainers’
Association
Association
(800)TRY-NATA
(800)TRY-NATA
STILL NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
ATHLETIC TRAINERS IN INDUSTRY?

Contact the NATA National Office Staff:
Kathryn Ayres, PR and Marketing Coordinator
[email protected] | 800-879-6282 ext. 138

Write to Craig Halls, Aurora Healthcare:
[email protected]
www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
(800)TRY-NATA
Looking for a JOB?
Want to hire an athletic trainer?
www.nata.org/careercenter
Visit the NATA Career Center today and find resources to help you find a job or
hire an athletic trainer.
www.nata.org
©©2009
2008National
NationalAthletic
AthleticTrainers’
Trainers’Association
Association
(800)TRY-NATA