© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association (800)TRY-NATA A Day in the Life of a Certified Athletic Trainer… Clinic Outreach

© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org (800)TRY-NATA

A Day in the Life of a Certified Athletic Trainer…

Clinic Outreach


I am an Athletic Trainer working in Clinic/Outreach: NAME:

Michelle Padgett

CREDENTIALS:

MS, ATC, LAT, CSCS TITLE:

Athletic Trainer / Event Coordinator

EMPLOYER:

PRORehab, pc

LOCATION:

St. Louis, MO

This was from a medical mission trip to Juarez, Mexico.


PRORehab: An Overview

In business since 1992

PRORehab is a privately held medical rehabilitation provider owned and operated by physical therapists.

PRORehab provides physical and occupational therapy and specializes in hand therapy, manual therapy, aquatic therapy and sports medicine outreach.

Our goal is to provide one-on-one patient care in an environment that promotes wellness and improves the lives of the patients we treat.


PRORehab, pc – Products/Services

Specializing in rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses


PRORehab – Staff

TOTAL # OF EMPLOYEES 250

EMPLOYEE MAKE-UP PTs OTs CHT’s PT/ATCs ATCs Administrative staff


PRORehab: Patient Population

PATIENT POPULATION– PRORehab treats a diverse range

of people including but not limited to:

Pediatric Geriatric patients Workmen’s compensation

patients Injured athletes


A Day in the Life of a Clinic Outreach Athletic Trainer

A TYPICAL SCHEDULE:

Monday – Friday – (some Saturdays)

School year hours: – 3 mornings a week in the clinic

and every afternoon – Some nights and weekends based upon

the school’s schedule

Summers hours: – 43 hours in the clinic


A Day in the Life of a Clinic Outreach athletic trainer

MY ATHLETIC TRAINING EXPERIENCE

– Bachelor’s from the University of Illinois Champaign 1994

– Master’s from the University of Pittsburgh, PA 1996

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:UIUCillini.jpg


A Day in the Life of a Clinic Outreach athletic trainer

A STARTING SALARY IS: $28,000

MY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS INCLUDE:

– Health benefits – Long term disability– Dental– Short term disability– 401k with employer matching – Life insurance– Liability insurance– Employee Assistance Program– Paid time off

http://nis-lab.is.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/~kei-i/vg03/image/evening.jpg


My Career Path

“I was interested in athletic training at an early age. In high school I helped out in the athletic training room and even attended Cramer camps. In college my focus shifted. I majored in dance but my body couldn’t hold up to the stress, and that is how I found my way back to athletic training. I considered pursuing a career in athletic training with a dance company but instead found myself working as an outreach athletic trainer. It was nearly 11 years ago that I accepted a position in St. Louis providing outreach services to Lutheran South High School, and I am still working in the same setting.”


Daily Duties: The Morning

MY MORNING DUTIES INCLUDE:

Most of the certified athletic trainers in our company work in the clinic in the morning, assisting the physical therapists with patient care.

My role in the morning is rather unique. I coordinate company events and all continuing education opportunities.

In 2006, we provided our staff with 2,121 continuing education hours.


Daily Duties- The Afternoon

MY AFTERNOON DUTIES INCLUDE

In the afternoon I totally switch hats.

I am at the high school every afternoon for practices and home games .

The season and sport will determine how late and how many Saturdays I work.


Daily Duties- The Evening

MY EVENING DUTIES:

I am available to parents andcoaches by cell phone at any time.

Most days I am finished by 7 p.m.

I will then make any necessary phone calls and then run back to the office if any additional work needs to be done for an upcoming event.


Additional Helpful Credentialing/Knowledge Include:

WHAT:• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

FROM:• The National Strength and Conditioning Association

(NSCA)ABOUT CSCS CERTIFICATION• The NSCA’s Certified Strength and Conditioning

Specialist® (CSCS®) is one of the first nationally accredited certification programs in the fitness industry

• Credential is awarded after passing an exam administered by an independent examination service


The Major Issues Facing Me Are:

In order for me to be the best clinic outreach AT that I can be, there is a HUGE need for athletic trainers to be recognized by CMS in the state of Missouri.

There is also a need forimproved language in the Athletic Training Practice Act.

Visiting our legislators in DC, Hit the Hill 2007


Quality of Life Issues:

Athletic training is a very rewarding career for me.

Our profession is trying to make quality of life adjustments, but problems do still exist.

Most ATs working in my setting have little control of their schedule, and they work long hours and many weekends.

Heading to a Cubs game with my mom on her birthday.


Key Resources to learn more!

1. NATA NEWS2. NATA website www.nata.org3. Training & Conditioning magazine


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

http://www.nata.org/members1/CareerDevelopment/index.cfm

Visit Career Development Resources TODAY

© 2008 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org

(800)TRY-NATA


For more information about Athletic Trainers working in the Clinical/Outreach setting:

Contact the NATA National Office Staff:Kathryn Ayres, PR and Marketing Coordinator [email protected] | 800-879-6282 ext. 138

Write to Michelle Padgett, Athletic Trainer [email protected]


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.

© 2008 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org

(800)TRY-NATA

http://www.nata.org/careercenter

Documents

© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association (800)TRY-NATA A Day in the Life of a Certified Athletic Trainer… Clinic Outreach