Why Employees Win When You Have an Athletic Trainer On-Site

Athletic Trainers, or ATs, are equipped with a very particular set of skills that make them an essential part of any health and wellness care team. They are ready for multiple and varied environments, such as professional sports, the entertainment industry, the public sector, schools, universities, and in our case, occupational health on-site facilities. ATs are trained and ready to help support and care for people with a variety of backgrounds in a multitude of settings. At Work Health Solutions, our ATs are the eyes, ears, and hands that make our organization a people-first culture through the many services provided as part of our OnSite customized occupational health programs.????

If you have not yet met an AT, you might be wondering what exactly an AT is and how they are credentialled. All Athletic Trainers have graduated from an accredited educational program and have passed a certification exam by the?Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Upon completing the athletic training education program, they must successfully pass an examination accredited by the Board of Certification For the Athletic Trainer Inc.?and stay up to date in their knowledge by participating in continuing education (earning CEUs). Each state in the US will have different requirements and regulations, so check your local authorities. These highly qualified, multi-skilled healthcare professionals are always in high demand by physicians, hospitals, clinics, and many employers for their versatile wellness services and injury and illness prevention skills.

Most healthcare professionals (MD, NP, PA, PT) get involved once an injury has occurred. What is unique about an AT's skillset is that they specialize in injury prevention. Whether it be preventative strengthening, taping, bracing, protective equipment, body mechanics and posture coaching, or other education, ATs are ideally?involved before the injury happens.

So, what does an on-site AT do? An on-site Athletic Trainer helps educate employers, employees, and the public about the risks of work-related injuries and the importance of getting proper rest and recovery. They will evaluate and use a hands-on approach to reduce the escalation of symptoms. An AT can also be utilized to provide guidance on employee self-care and wellness education. When working at an on-site clinic and providing regular health and safety support for employees at a company, they set the precedent that health and safety are at top-of-mind for the company. From the moment an injury happens to when, and if the employee can return to work, ATs understand the why behind the body’s musculoskeletal system and are able to effectively implement interventions to mitigate the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and improve overall performance, health, and wellness for workers.

In addition to musculoskeletal interventions and injury prevention, ATs can be vital in identifying general urgent or emergent health conditions of workers. An example of this is an Athletic Trainer was working at an on-site clinic in an e-commerce facility and evaluated an employee who was hit in the head by a product package. The employee reported not having any discomfort and didn’t present any symptoms consistent with a concussion or muscular strain. Two days later, the employee called in sick, stating they were vomiting. Knowing that this could be a delayed result of being hit in the head, the Athletic Trainer called the employee at home. Upon further questioning, the employee told the AT that they had been having periotic episodes of nausea/vomiting and blurred vision for a few months before getting hit in the head. The AT educated the employee that this was not normal and could be a sign of a more significant medical condition and urged the employee to immediately go to the ER. After going to the ER, the employee learned they had a brain tumor that was causing the symptoms and was able to get the appropriate medical treatment and care.

Whether you are looking to reduce risks, enhance productivity or just improve your company’s bottom line, consider adding an Athletic Trainer to your healthcare team. They could be the one that makes the difference in your organization, saving labor and productivity costs and potentially employees’ lives. These individuals are always ready to step up and provide value through skills in triage and assist in the improvement of functional outcomes. They specialize in patient education for injury prevention and mitigating the risk of re-injury. This translates to reduced healthcare costs and lower absenteeism from work.?ATs are working everywhere, and we are so grateful that they are on the field, at the workplace health facility, and taking care of our people and us.??

Work Health Solutions has exceptional client support and outstanding medical professionals, including our Athletic Trainers, that take the time to care for your employees and all your company’s occupational health and safety needs.???

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For more information on Work Health Solutions’ occupational health services, contact us at 877-899-9959,?[email protected], or visit our website at?www.workhealthsolutions.com.

During National Athletic Training Month (#NATM) and every day, we thank you, #Athletictrainers for helping to keep us safe!

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