Top 10 Things You Need to Work Per Diem This Summer

Memorial Day Weekend is a hazy memory, and you’re ready to pick up some extra cash before that bachelor/bachelorette party/cousin’s wedding/weekend vacation/concert/trip you’ve been planning for months but haven’t saved for just yet. As you scroll through the app and pick a couple of gigs, here are the top 10 things you need to work per diem this summer, sourced from our favorite in-house athletic trainers who have, if there was such a thing, earned every per diem merit badge possible:

  1. Snacks and H2O
    • Hopefully the tournament directors will have some grub available, but just in case, come prepared with snacks and water – trail mix, beef jerky, granola bars, and a giant double walled stainless steel water bottle are staples.  

  2.   Field/Facility Address Readily Available
    • This information is always in your app, but just in case you need to activate EMS, it’s a good idea to have this written down somewhere else too. Pro tip: write the address on a luggage tag on your bag with a dry erase marker so you can reuse it for your next per diem gig. 

  3.  Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Hat / i.e. SUN PROTECTION
    • The sock lines may be unavoidable, but you don’t need a wicked sunburn to go with them!

  4.  Tarps For Taco
    • Hopefully you won’t need it, but just in case there’s a heat emergency you can rapidly cool the athlete before transporting (if there isn’t a tub available). You can download our binder-ready heat stroke station one sheet that covers the taco method by clicking here.

  5.  Rain Gear
    • Those summer storms are sneaky. If there’s even a remote blip on the radar, better come prepared! Stash a lightweight waterproof jacket or poncho in your kit because there’s nothing worse than getting soaked unexpectedly. 

  6.  Camping Chair/Portable Chair 
    • In case seating isn’t provided. Those games can be long and a cooler isn’t the most comfortable of options! 

  7.  Weather App On Your Phone
    • As summer rolls in you need to be informed about heat and lightning!  Download a weather app to your phone so you can know what is coming your way!

  8.  Phone Charger/Power Bank
    • Long days are a strain on your phone battery.  Have a phone charger and/or a power bank to plug into to make sure that your phone doesn’t go dead while working.  Remember, you never know when you will need to call 911.

  9. Coffeeeeeeeee! Weeeeee!
    •   Going to be working a long day? Add instant coffee packs to your medkit.  Add it to a bottle of cold water and ice and you’ve got instant sideline iced coffee.

  10. The Go4 EMR
    • See an injury and need a quick way to document?  Pull up the Go4 EMR to document all of the injuries you see this summer!

Need an athletic trainer? Go4 is a nationwide app/platform that connects teams and organizations with per diem athletic trainers for games, practices, camps, clinics and tournaments. Go4 is the preferred per diem platform of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. Every sideline. Everywhere. 

If you’re an AT looking to pick up a shift or two, drop you email below for updates on jobs, per diem, and Go4.