Assistant Athletic Trainer Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Description

Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic is looking for an Athletic Trainer to join Dr. Richard Edgar's team. This position is responsible for preparing patients for evaluation and treatment, supporting efficient patient flow, assisting with clinical procedures, documenting accurately in the medical record, and ensuring exam rooms and clinical areas remain safe, organized, and properly stocked.

The Athletic Trainer serves as an important point of contact for patients and helps ensure that each patient receives timely, professional, and compassionate care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Patient Care and Clinical Support

• Obtain and document patient information, including medical history, medications, allergies, vital signs, the reason for the visit, and any other information required by the physician or advanced practice provider.
• Prepare patients for examinations, procedures, injections, imaging, casting, or other treatments.
• Assist physicians and advanced practice providers with examinations, procedures, and in-office treatments.
• Provide basic patient care and perform clinical duties as ordered or delegated by a physician or advanced practice provider and within the scope of the role.
• Observe patients for changes in condition and promptly communicate concerns to the appropriate clinical provider.
• Maintain patient dignity, privacy, comfort, and safety throughout the visit.

Clinical Procedures

• Apply and remove casts and splints after completion of required training and competency validation.
• Fit and instruct patients on the use of braces, boots, slings, crutches, and other durable medical equipment as ordered.
• Perform wound dressing changes as directed.
• Prepare injections and medications for administration by an authorized clinical provider, in accordance with organizational policy and applicable law.
• Remove sutures and staples as ordered.
• Prepare sterile trays and assist with sterile procedures.
• Assist with other orthopaedic clinical procedures within the employee's documented training, competency, and authorized scope of practice.

Patient Education and Communication

• Provide patients with approved educational materials and after-visit instructions.
• Communicate physician or advanced practice provider instructions to patients accurately and in accordance with established protocols.
• Reinforce instructions related to medications, procedures, durable medical equipment, wound care, follow-up appointments, and therapy.
• Respond to patient questions within the scope of the role and route clinical questions to the appropriate provider when necessary.
• Document patient communications and instructions in the medical record.
• Maintain a courteous, professional, and compassionate manner when interacting with patients and families.

Documentation and Medical Records

• Accurately and timely document patient history, clinical activities, procedures, medications, orders, communications, and other required information in the electronic medical record.
• Review the medical record before the visit to identify required records, imaging, reports, or testing.
• Obtain outside laboratory, imaging, operative, and consultation reports when needed.
• Ensure documentation is complete, accurate, and consistent with provider instructions and organizational standards.
• Protect patient confidentiality and follow all privacy, security, and medical record policies.

Orders, Referrals, and Scheduling

• Process physician and advanced practice provider orders for MRI, CT, laboratory testing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other services.
• Assist with scheduling procedure-related appointments.
• Coordinate referrals to other physicians, specialists, therapy providers, imaging facilities, or outside services.
• Provide patients with required orders, instructions, and contact information.
• Track outstanding reports, authorizations, referrals, or results as assigned.
• Communicate scheduling or coordination concerns to the appropriate office manager, provider, or clinical team member.

Patient Flow and Clinic Operations

• Organize and support efficient patient flow throughout the clinic session.
• Monitor provider schedules, patient wait times, room availability, and workflow needs.
• Communicate delays, urgent concerns, and workflow barriers to the physician, advanced practice provider, or office manager.
• Prepare exam and procedure rooms before and between patients.
• Clean, disinfect, and restock examination rooms and clinical equipment in accordance with infection-control standards.
• Monitor clinical supply levels and report or replenish low-stock items.
• Ensure equipment is clean, functional, and ready for use.
• Assist other clinical team members during high-volume periods to ensure safe, efficient patient care.
• Communicate the prolonged (greater than 20 minutes) waiting time to patients

Safety, Compliance, and Professional Standards

• Follow all infection-prevention, bloodborne-pathogen, biohazard, and workplace-safety policies.
• Comply with HIPAA, OSHA, VOSHA, Red Flag Rules, patient-privacy requirements, and Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic policies.
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment and proper disposal methods for sharps, biohazardous materials, and clinical waste.
• Report patient safety concerns, incidents, injuries, equipment problems, and compliance issues promptly via MedTrainer's Incident Reporting System.
• Maintain required certifications and complete all mandatory training.
• Perform duties within authorized scope, training, documented competency, and applicable state requirements.

Teamwork and Organizational Support

• Work collaboratively with physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, medical assistants, office managers, schedulers, and other team members.
• Maintain a cooperative and respectful attitude toward coworkers, management, patients, families, visitors, and physicians.
• Assist with orienting and supporting new team members when requested.
• Participate in team meetings, huddles, training, and process-improvement activities.
• Provide coverage at other Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic locations as operationally necessary.
• Maintain flexibility to support changing clinic schedules, staffing needs, and patient volumes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Certification

1. Bachelor's degree
2. Current certification
3. Valid Virginia state licensure or eligible

Experience

Preferred

• Previous experience in a physician's office, outpatient clinic, ambulatory-care setting, or other healthcare environment.
• Orthopaedic, surgical, sports medicine, or procedural experience.
• Experience with electronic medical record systems.
• Experience with casting, splinting, durable medical equipment, wound care, or assisting with in-office procedures.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic clinical procedures, medical terminology, infection prevention, and patient-safety practices.
• Ability to obtain and document patient information accurately.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and compassionately with patients and families.
• Ability to follow provider instructions, clinical protocols, and organizational policies.
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities and manage multiple patients and tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation.
• Ability to recognize and escalate urgent clinical concerns appropriately.
• Sound judgment, problem-solving skills, and the ability to make appropriate decisions within the role's authority.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary care team.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Ability to adapt to changing provider schedules, staffing needs, workflows, and patient volumes.
• Ability to promote a professional and favorable image of Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic.
• Basic proficiency with computers, electronic medical records, telephone systems, and standard office equipment.

Scheduling and Travel Requirements

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule based on clinic and provider needs.
• May occasionally be required to work beyond the scheduled end of the clinic day.
• May be required to adjust meal periods or break times during high-volume clinic sessions, in accordance with applicable employment policies and law.
• Regular or occasional travel between Anderson Orthopaedic Clinic locations may be required.
• Reliable transportation is required for travel between locations.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Regularly requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, stooping, and moving throughout clinical and office environments.
• Must be able to assist patients with walking, dressing, positioning, and transfers using appropriate body mechanics and patient-safety techniques.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, or move up to 30 pounds.
• Must be able to remain on their feet for extended periods during clinic sessions.
• Must be able to use office equipment, including computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and writing instruments.
• Must be able to use clinical equipment, including stethoscopes, blood-pressure cuffs, ECG equipment, cast saws, and other orthopaedic or examination equipment after appropriate training.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, electronically, and in writing.
• Must be able to maintain concentration, professionalism, accuracy, and sound judgment during periods of high patient volume, interruptions, and occasional workplace stress.