social services: homeless shelter a day in the life of a certified athletic trainer… © 2008...

Social Services: Homeless Shelter

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

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Mark Nienhuis, ATC, brings a whole new meaning to social service in his job as wellness

coordinator with Catholic Charities.

Using his skills and knowledge as an athletic trainer, Nienhuis is lending a helping hand to those who

need him most– the homeless.


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Mark manages the health and wellness programs for needy individuals in the Joliet area.

He provides the following services:– Health education classes– Health screenings and assessments– Access and links to human service & advocacy– Personal health/wellness counseling

The people he treats are:– Ages 22-59– Most are homeless


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I Am An Athletic Trainer Working In

Name: Mark Nienhuis, ATC

Title: Wellness Coordinator

Employer: Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet

Job location: Joliet, IllinoisMark Nienhuis, ATC is using his athletic

training skills to help provide care for under- privileged and homeless individuals.

Social Services


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A Day in the life of an Social Services Athletic Trainer

Educational Background:

Degree: Bachelor of Science from the University of Northern Illinois

Major: Fitness Leadership

Minor: Sports Medicine with an emphasis in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Additional Training Stephen Minster Training Non-violent crisis intervention training

program.


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Catholic Charities of Joliet: An Overview

Established in 1949

Day Break, one facet of the charity, is a 24-hour emergency homeless shelter

One of 52 programs within the Diocese of Joliet, Ill

Brings members of the community, church, business, healthcare and government together to develop effective responses to human needs

Provides professional human services

Advocates for a just and compassionate society


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Catholic Charities- Staff

315 employees company-wide ranging from social workers to counselors. I am the only certified athletic trainer working here.

I am the only athletic trainer at my location and am responsible for the health and wellness of children, families and seniors.

Several nurses are employed at Catholic Charities, too.


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A Day in the Life of a Social Services Athletic Trainer

A typical schedule for my job is:

35-hours per week

5 days per week

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.


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A Day in the life of aSocial Service Athletic Trainer

Salary range $33,000-$43,000

Employee benefits

– Estimated worth = $12,000 Medical Dental Vision Life LTD Pension 403B Vacation Sick days Holiday


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Daily Duties- Morning

Check and respond to e-mail and voicemail. – Issues are: referrals to medical/dental services, assistance with

medical bills, prescription assistance, anger management program, health crisis

Set up and monitor volunteers leading the health education classes

Check and respond to computer information regarding the clients we serve.

– I ensure the staff is informed about details of client crises– suicide, 911 calls, outbreaks of lice, MRSA, etc.

Meet with clients during scheduled appointments– I meet with the homeless, low income community residents– Meet with about three individuals per day– Meetings are about 45 minutes each– We discuss various health/wellness needs


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Daily Duties-Afternoon Meet with clients during scheduled appointments.

Case management

Teach health/wellness classes– Topics include: stress/anger management, fitness, hygiene,

disease prevention, substance abuse, mental health, spirituality

– Classes last one hour

Complete client case notes – SOAP format

Enter services rendered into computer– General service needs include: wellness programs, health

care, mental health care & counseling, prescription expense assistance and advocacy


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Other Duties

Back to School Fair Health Committee Chair

Health services advisory committee for Catholic Charities

– Meet semi-annually– Purpose of committee is to provide

educational services and technical assistance to staff

– We review and make suggestions to written plans, documents and menus

– Other members of the Board: MDs, DDS, Nurses, Parents, Head Start Staff

Serve on the Will Co. Coalition of Illinois breast and cervical cancer program

I wear all hats if needed

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On-Site Client Meetings & Programs

Three client appointments per day One hour a day in meetings

– Provide presentations to employees or management

– General meetings with Safety Director, HR Manager, Occupational Health Nurse, etc.

One hour per day teaching health education Three hours per day providing direct client

service One hour teaching health education One hour a day answering e-mails, telephone

calls, etc. One hour a day coordinating and developing

wellness programs and services


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The Path Less Followed

As an athletic training student I wanted to work in the high-school setting.

My first job was as an outreach athletic trainer in a sports medicine clinic.

I made a career change becauseI had a strong desire to work with a needier population. So I worked hard in seeking out and getting my current job.


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The Learning Curve

Improvement of time-management skills to accommodate a higher work load in a fast-paced environment

Would have benefited from knowing more about the homeless population, including:

– Their special needs Poor health Mental Illness Disabilities Life skills Addiction

– The medical conditions that affect them. Some examples include

Diabetes Asthma Communicable diseases Mental illness Depression Heart Disease


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Essential Skill Sets to Work in Social Services

Caring attitude Integrity Communication Skills Interpersonal Skills Sense of Humor


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Where I Find Additional & Helpful Information About the Social Service Setting:

Books– The Health Care of Homeless Persons by

James J. O’Connell, MD– National Health care for the Homeless

Council: www.nhchc.org

Web sites: – Medlineplus.org

Conferences/Symposiums– Partners in Action (Through the IL Public

Health Institute)

Associations/Organizations– NATA– Illinois Athletic Trainers’ Association– Campaign for Better Health Care– United Church of Christ


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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


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Still need more information about Athletic Trainers in Social Services?

Contact the NATA National Office Staff:Kathryn Ayres, PR and Marketing Coordinator [email protected] | 800-879-6282 ext. 138

Write to Mark Nienhuis: [email protected]


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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.


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http://www.nata.org/careercenter

social services: homeless shelter a day in the life of a certified athletic trainer… © 2008...

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