At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Rehabilitation Coordinator - Athletics reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Rehabilitation Coordinator - Athletics provides athletic training and/or physical therapy services, as duly licensed, to patients under the direction of a physician and reports directly through the Athletic Training Services Supervisor to the Director of Athletic Training Services. This position is a recognized clinical specialist in athletic training and/or physical therapy practice within rehabilitation and coordinates the care for patients within the sports medicine department, including but not limited to clinical supervision of patient rehabilitation, performing evaluations, administering treatment and rehabilitation, making referrals to external clinicians, and making athletic participation and return to play decisions as appropriate and in accordance with established departmental protocol. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Description

• Patient Care
  • Provides athletic training and/or physical therapy services, as duly licensed, to patients under the direction of a physician
    • Possesses and maintains a recognized clinical specialization, or equivalent training or experience, in the specific focus of rehabilitation within athletic training or physical therapy
    • Creates and maintains a complete medical record
    • Evaluates, manages, and rehabilitates acute injuries and medical conditions
    • Provides ongoing care, maintenance, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions as indicated
    • Designates specific clinical time to collaborate with or supervise colleagues’ rehabilitation of patients’ injuries and/or illnesses
    • Provides emergency management, communication, and medical care through the creation and execution of emergency action plans
    • Determines participation status and executes with the unchallengeable authority to return and/or remove a patient to/from participation
    • Refers to internal and external specialists and sub-specialists as indicated
    • Provides coverage of athletic practices and competitions, which may include travel and non-traditional hours during mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays
    • Coordinates and/or completes components of pre-participation screening and physical examinations
    • Creates and executes an annual continuing education plan consistent with established guidelines to maintain professional licensure and certification
    • Communicates appropriate information regarding patient health and participation status across multidisciplinary and high-performance team members, including but not limited to, team physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, athletics administration, coaches, academic support services, performance nutrition, sports performance, sports psychology and equipment staffs
    • Precepts professional and post-professional education of learners in programs including, but not limited to, athletic training, physical therapy, and medical education
    • Coordinates physician clinical visits, medical testing, and follow up care, including but not limited to, obtaining relevant patient history, obtaining vital signs and ECG, performing point of care testing, coordinating diagnostic imaging, and fitting durable medical equipment
    • Measures, evaluates, and interprets metrics of sports performance and sports science
    • Delivers educational materials to various stakeholders, including but not limited to, patients, coaches, parents, and administrators
    • Ensures patient’s rights by maintaining confidentiality and privacy during care.
    • Demonstrates patient centered care and excellent customer service in accordance with NM’s Patients First values.
• Administrative
  • Develops and executes administrative duties as assigned and in compliance with departmental, university, athletic conference, and NCAA policy
    • Participates in development and execution of departmental policies and procedures within the specific focus of rehablitation
    • Completes quality improvement initiatives across the department within the specific focus of rehabilitation
    • Participates in program and departmental strategic planning
    • Develops and completes annual departmental and personal goals
    • Maintains, orders, and appropriately dispenses or administers medical supplies inventory, including but not limited to, durable medical equipment, therapeutic agents, and over the counter and prescription medication
    • Measures the effectiveness of clinical practice through various metrics, including but not limited to, patient rated outcome measures, patient satisfaction questionnaires, and functional assessments
    • Analyzes performance metrics and injury risk/rate trends to develop and execute programming adjustments as indicated
    • Participates in scholarly activities including, but not limited to, professional presentations, research, professional service opportunities, and quality improvement projects
    • Possess knowledge of and ensures compliance with rules and regulations governing or directing patient care and administrative tasks related to assigned duties and/or patient panel
• Other
  • Performs other clinical and administrative duties as assigned

COMPETENCIES / PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Please refer to NMHC Performance Standard Competencies
• Must work within the requirements set forth in the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act and applicable CMS regulations for Promoting Interoperability
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with patients, physicians, management, staff and other customers or clients
• Demonstrated customer service skills, including the ability to use appropriate judgment, independent thinking and creativity when resolving patient issues
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations
• Ability to balance multiple priorities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to use personal computers and select software applications
• Ability to analyze data for decision making purposes
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Outlook and database entry
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality
• Ability to adapt to changes in work environment, delays or unexpected events
• Demonstrates attention to detail and monitors own work for accuracy

Required:

• Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Physical Therapy or Athletic Training License, or IDFPR Athletic Training license eligible and able to show proof of license within six months of start date
• Credentialing that signifies advanced practice, the successful completion of an accredited residency or fellowship in athletic training or physical therapy, or equivalent training acquired via work experience and/or education
• Master’s or Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy, or Master’s or Bachelor’s degree from a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited program
• 1-2 years of previous job related experience

Preferred:

• Doctoral degree
• 3-5 years of previous job-related experience

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.