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

A Day in the Life of a
Certified Athletic Trainer…
Pediatric Physician Extender &
Performance Enhancement Program
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Joe Schmitz, ATC, is working as a pediatric physician extender
at St. John’s Sports Medicine in Missouri. As a pediatric
physician extender, Schmitz helps improve the physician's
efficiency. Athletic trainers working as physician extenders
assist in physicians offices by:
Saving time : Certified athletic trainers help move patients faster
through the evaluation and treatment process, decreasing patient
wait time.
Increasing Patient Satisfaction: Patients like the personal care
and attention that athletic trainers provide.
Generating Revenue: Athletic training services are reimbursable
by many insurance companies, and services are either directly
billed or billed incident to physician services.
Increasing Physician Productivity and Efficiency: A 1998 Time
on Task study showed athletic trainers working as physician
extenders increased clinic production by 12 patients per day.
Educating Patients: Understanding their path to recovery helps
put patients minds at ease.
© 2008 ©
National
2009 National
Athletic Athletic
Trainers’
Trainers’
Association
Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Athletic Trainers as Physician Extenders
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ATHLETIC TRAINERS WORKING IN PRIMARY CARE
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The skills of the AT can be substantially utilized not only
in the orthopedic setting but even more so in the primary
care setting.
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Athletic trainers are useful because they can assist
physicians with patients seeking help with orthopedic
issues. This enables the physician to see upwards of seven
other non-orthopedic cases in a day.
FUNCTIONS OF THE ATHLETIC TRAINER IN PRIMARY CARE
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Orthopedic evaluation
–
Triage
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Home exercise prescription
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Treatment
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Sports physicals
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Brace fitting
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Lumbopelvic and foot biomechanical exams
–
Patient education
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Follow-up care
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
I am an athletic trainer working as a
Pediatric Physician Extender
NAME:
Joe Schmitz
Credentials

ATC
JOB TITLE:

Manager
EMPLOYED BY:

St. John’s Sports MedicineHealth Tracks
JOB LOCATION:

Springfield, MO
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
St. John’s Sports Medicine Health
Tracks: HISTORY (THEN)
HISTORY OF PHYSICIAN EXTENDER MODEL
AT ST. JOHN’S SPORTS MEDICINE


The physician extender model was started in
1996 by a pediatrician who teamed with an
athletic trainer.
Initial team was composed of:
– Pediatrician
– Nurse Practitioner
– Two Registered Nurses
– One Certified Athletic Trainer
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
St. John’s Sports Medicine Health
Tracks: PRESENT
CURRENT PHYSICIAN EXTENDER MODEL
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Four Athletic Trainers
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Three Strength and Conditioning
Specialists
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12,000 Square Foot Facility
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Sports Medicine Rehabilitation
– Nine-table treatment room

Sports Enhancement Program
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Pediatric Physician Extender
Job Description

Provide services that identify, prevent,
remediate and rehabilitate acute or prolonged
physical dysfunction or pain which arise from
sports related activities
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Such treatment encompasses evaluation and
analysis of patients and therapeutic application
of physical and chemical agents, exercise and
other procedures to maximize safe return to
activities.

Ensure professional and technical operation of
business unit and that all policies and
procedures are followed on a day-to-day basis

Responsible for the overall management of the
business unit in accordance with system
initiatives: communication, customer service,
quality assurance and community health care
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Pediatric Physician Extender:
FUNCTIONS
FUNCTIONS OF THE ATHLETIC TRAINER
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Provide the highest level of quality cost effective
care in conjunction with the medical team
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Quality care + customer satisfaction = SUCCESS

How do you measure success?
– Reimbursement rates
– Increased patient flow
– Decreased patient wait times
– Increased patient satisfaction
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Pediatric Physician Extender:
FUNCTIONS CONTINUED
ENSURING QUALITY AND CUSTOMER
SATISFACTION THROUGH:
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Comprehensive evaluation (obtaining
patient histories, exam, etc.)
Communication
Education
Case Management
Triage
Follow-up
Exercise Prescription
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Common CPT Codes used
by AT Physician Extenders

Athletic Training Evaluation /
Re-Evaluation
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Therapeutic Exercise
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97110
Therapeutic Activities
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97005 / 97006 (or up-code physician
visit)
 Treatment
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97010 / 97016 / 97035
Iontophoresis
- 97033
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97530
Orthotics/Brace Fitting
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Modalities
Electric Stimulation
- 97014
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97760
Neuromuscular
Re-education
- 97112
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Manual Therapy
- 97140
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Home Care
- 97535
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Pediatric Physician
Extender – Patients

Age range is 12 -16 years old
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3,400 injury evaluations/
rehabilitation visits per year
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11,000 Sports Performance
program visits per year
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Most common injuries:
1. Ankle Sprain
2. Knee Sprain/Strain
3. Back Pain
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
A Day in the Life of a
Pediatric Physician Extender
TYPICAL SCHEDULE FOR MY JOB:

Monday through Friday
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11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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Occasional event coverage on
weekends
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Educational Background
MY ATHLETIC TRAINING
EXPERIENCE LEVEL IS:
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Bachelors of Science in Sports Medicine
& Athletic Training from Missouri State
University
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Approved Clinical Instructor
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Functional Movement Screen Evaluator
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Certified Club Coach by USA Weightlifting
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8 years in the health system
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
A Day in the life of a
Pediatric Physician Extender

SALARY RANGE:
–

$40,000 – $60,000
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
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Health, dental and eye insurance
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Retirement investment health
system matching plan
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Health System Personal Pension
Plan
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Continuing education/job
development training
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Sick time
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Paid vacation
–
Flex spending account
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
My Company Hired Me Because…
“I hired an athletic trainer because I needed
someone with the same knowledge as
myself in sports medicine, but who also
had a comprehensive skill set.
“With the size of my patient practice, the
health care of my patient encompasses a
team approach. Athletic trainers are an
essential part of that team.
“This team approach is the most efficient
method to administer care in any healthcare
practice.”
-Bernard Griesemer, M.D.
Pediatrician
Board Certified in Sports Medicine
American Academy of Pediatrics
Council on Sports Medicine and
Fitness
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
A Day at the Office
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2007
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• The AT saves the physician time by helping
increase patient load through the day.
• It takes 42 minutes for a full
orthopedic exam.
• When an athletic trainer assists,
the physician can see approximately seven
other patients. This is because the AT
provides a comprehensive orthopedic exam
with exercise prescription.
84 pediatric visits
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18 rehab patients
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Divided four athletic
trainers
50 strength and
conditioning patients
–
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53 for physician
31 for nurse practitioner
Divided among two
strength & conditioning
specialists
152 total patients
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Daily Duties- Morning
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Chart notes documentation
Supply ordering
Managers meetings
System meetings
E-mail follow-ups
Joint Commission compliance tasks
Chart audits
Marketing projects
Financial review
Patient evaluation/rehabilitation
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Daily Duties:
Afternoon/Evening
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Patient evaluation and rehabilitation
Consultation with physicians
Nutrition counseling (supplements)
Monitoring floor for strength &
conditioning program
Pediatric patient evaluation
Lumbopelvic Biomechanical evaluations
Foot Biomechanical evaluations
Orthotics fabrication
Functional movement screen evaluations
Brace/splint fitting
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Other Duties
• Outreach Coverage of Events
• Strength & Speed Camps
• Community Education Programs
• ©Advertising
2009 National AthleticPrograms
Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Essential Skill Sets
Every AT must have a skill set that
separates them from the field:
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Lumbopelvic Biomechanical Assessment
Foot Biomechanical Assessment
Orthotic Fabrication
Splint/Cast Fabrication & Application
Throwing Mechanics Assessment
Pre-participation Sports Physicals
Triage
Nutritional Supplement Knowledge
Strength & Conditioning Programming
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
The Major Issues

Justification of your salary
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How you produce revenue

Billing at your clinic

How you benefit the physician
.
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Making it in a Managed
Care Environment
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Chasing the healthcare dollar has become more and more
difficult. The idea is to justify our existence by continuing
to produce revenue.
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The Team Medicine is the most efficient and profitable
approach to medicine.
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Who makes up the team?
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Physician(s)
–
Certified Athletic Trainers
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Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialists
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Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants
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Registered Dietitians
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Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, &
Medical Assistants
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Front Office
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Performance Enhancement
Program Integration <a quick side note>
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Our performance enhancement program initially
began not only to improve sports performance but
primarily as an injury prevention program.
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The program is set up to start at age 11 through
college age.
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In order to be successful, your program must
diversify to include relationships with many already
established organizations.
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Our success story include relationships with:
– Public Schools
– Area Universities
– Parks Department
– Club Teams
– Community Olympic Development Program
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
WHAT I wish I knew before this job:
I wish I knew more about the daily operations of a
pediatric clinic prior to being hired. If I had this
knowledge prior to my hiring, I would have had
a smaller learning curve and could have been
more efficient.
© 2008
2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Key Resources to Learn More!

First and foremost is - seeking advice from
colleagues is a MUST.

I utilize the NATA for most professional
improvements but have found the NSCA and
NASM as great organizations to aid in my
personal and professional improvement.

Finally, I have a great group of co-workers
that also push me to think outside the box.
© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
Learn more at www.nata.org
Visit Career Development Resources on
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- Studies
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*NATA members only section
Visit Career Development Resources TODAY
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© 2008© National
Athletic
Trainers’
Association
2009 National
Athletic
Trainers’
Association
www.nata.org
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
(800)TRY-NATA
Still need more information about Athletic
Trainers as Physician Extenders?

Contact the NATA National Office Staff:
Kathryn Ayres, PR and Marketing Coordinator
[email protected] | 800-879-6282 ext. 138

Write to Joe Schmitz: [email protected]
(417) 234-7637

© 2009 National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
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Visit the NATA Career Center today and find resources to help you find a job or
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© 2008 ©
National
Athletic
Trainers’
Association
2009 National
Athletic
Trainers’
Association
www.nata.org
www.nata.org
(800)TRY-NATA
(800)TRY-NATA