Industrial Setting
A Day in the Life of a Certified Athletic Trainer…
© 2008 National Athletic Trainers Association www.nata.org
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA© 2007 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
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.
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Essential Functions of an Industrial Athletic Trainer- EVAL & REHAB
Provide orthopedic injury assessments covering such areas as (but not limited to):
– Patient history – Observation – Palpation – Range of motion– Manual muscle strength– Reflex testing– Myotomes– Dermatomes – Special tests
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
© 2008 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(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.
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(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
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(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
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
.
• 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
Physical & Mental Requirements
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
I am an Athletic Trainer Working in
Name: Craig Halls, MBA, ATC, LAT, CEES
Title: Wellness Site Manager
Employer: Appleton
Job location: Appleton, Wisconsin
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.
INDUSTRY
NATA Note: As of October 2007, there weremore than 260 NATA members working in the Occupational or
Industrial setting.
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(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
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
For more information visit: www.roymetheson.com/erc_certification.html
or e-mail [email protected]
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
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.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
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(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.
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(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
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(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
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
A Day in the Life of aIndustrial 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
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Daily Duties- Injury Prevention
Ergonomics- high-level– Utilize risk factor analysis tools (RULA, STRAIN Index,
NIOSH lifting equation, etc.).
– 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
© 2008 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Daily Duties- Injury Management
On-site Physical Rehabilitation– Under the direction of the corporate medical director, I
provide on-site rehab, such as modalities and therapeutic exercise
Case Management– 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
© 2008 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(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
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Survey highlights:
– 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
– 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
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
© 2008 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(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 care-related 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.
© 2008 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Helpful Continuing Education:
Ergonomic Certification
Wellness or Health Promotion Certification
Job Site Analysis Certification
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(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.
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Why NATA members choose the Industrial Setting = Quality of Life
© 2008 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(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
http://www.nata.org/members1/CareerDevelopment/index.cfm
Visit Career Development Resources TODAY
© 2008 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(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]
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(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.
© 2008 National Athletic Trainers’ Associationwww.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA