So You Want To Be An Athletic Trainer?

Rich Bomgardner, LAT, ATC, CSCSAthletic Training Education

CoordinatorWichita State University

Does this interest you?

Where to begin:

Which AT program is best for me?Where do I want to go to school?How much money does it cost?How much experience will I get?When do I start my clinical expediencies?How many students are in the program?Is the program accredited?When will accreditation be finalized?

AT Program Accreditation

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)Joint Review Committee on Education Programs in Athletic Training (JRC-AT)Committee on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) - Begins July 2006

The importance of proper education!

AT Program Accreditation

Three Phase Process: Program application:

Programs must apply for the accreditation process

Candidacy phase:Two year phase leading site visit

Site Visit and accreditation:Site visit from JRC-ATJRC-AT makes a recommendation to CAAHEP for accreditation

AT Program Accreditation

AT programs must be accredited by CAAHEP in order for a student to be eligible to sit for the BOC certification exam“Candidacy Programs” must obtain accreditation before students can sit for BOC certification exam *Critical issue when selecting a program of choice*

How to get into an AT Program:

Formal application process:

Application, letters of recommendation, letter of interest, etc.

ExperienceGPA: ACT, SAT, College creditsSincere interest in the profession

AT Education Program Admission Requirements

Letter of interestCompleted applicationRecommendationsHealth examinationImmunization recordVolunteer hoursTechnical standardsPersonal Background CheckLiability InsuranceHealth Insurance

Prep courses:CPR/First AidMedical TerminologyIntro. to ATTaping/BandagingCare and Prevention

Athletic Training Education

Based upon the learning of:Educational Competencies - Class base setting

Cognitive (knowledge and intellectual skills)Psychomotor (manipulative and motor skills)Affective (attitudes and values)

Clinical Proficiencies - Lab base settingdecision-making and skill application

Clinical Applications – Clinical base settingSkill performance

You must be prepared for anything!

Athletic Training Education

Academic Requirements:

Approx. 550 Ed. Com.Approx. 1,230 Clinical Proficiencies20 formal content areasFormal majorCourse cred. for cl. exp.Labs for skill develop.20 hr. limit/week2 year clinical exp.

AT CoursesIntroduction to ATTaping and BandagingCare and PreventionUpper Body Assess.w/lLow. Body Assess.w/lTherapeutic Modal.w/lTherapeutic Ex. w/lAdministration of ATPharmacology4-6 AT Practicums

AT Clinical Education

Education in the clinical facility:

various clinical experiences

athletic training roomaffiliated sites:

– physician’s office– clinic – high school– hospital– PT and/or PA

One semester in: equipment intensiveupper extremity lower extremitygeneral medical:

– medical facility

learning over time (LOT)NO sport assignmentMust have both genders

Learn in an allied health setting!

Example of AT Education

AT student studies the physiology of body temp.AT student studies the difference between oral, rectal, tympanic, and axillary body temp.

AT student studies how to obtain a body temp. readingAT student takes an exam over body temp.

Class base setting

Example of AT Education

AT student learns how to use body temp. reading equipmentAT student learns how to perform body temp. readings

AT student is evaluated on performing body temp. reading AT student takes a practical (oral, skill) exam on body temp. reading

Lab base setting

Example of AT Education

AT student performs a body temp. readingAT student is evaluated on body temp. reading

Clinic base settingAT student must pass class and lab setting before authorized to perform skill in the clinic setting

Athletic Training Education Personnel

Program DirectorClinical Coordinator/Clinical Instructor Educator (CIE)Approved Clinical Instructors (ACI)Clinical Instructors (CI)Medical Director

ACI - formal evaluation on AT student skillCI - observe AT student skillmust be certified for one year before an ATC can be a ACIonly ATC can be ACI

Learn from professionals!

Athletic Training Education Personnel: CAAHEP

ACI:head athletic trainerassistant athletic train.second year GA’sprogram directorclinical coordinator

CI:physiciansPA’sPT’snursesfaculty (PhD, EdD)adjunct faculty (MD)

Standard for AT Education

Formal instruction, formal performance, formal evaluation, formal examination

Change focus from “on the job training”Teach ATS to make rationale and prudent decisions

Athletic Training EducationFormal Content Areas:

Assessment of injuryUpper & Lower Extrem.

Exercise physiology1st Aid & Emergency CareGeneral medical conditionsHealth care admin.Human A & PStatistics and researchWt. and body comp

Kinesiology/Biomech.

Medical ethics and leg.

Nutrition

Pathology of injury

Pharmacology

Professional develop.

Psychosocial intervent.

Risk management (C&P)

Strength and recond.

Therapeutic modalities

Therapeutic exercise

Be a part of the cycle of injury!

Athletic Training Student: Present

Must be SUPERVISEDMust be AUTHORIZED to apply skill (can perform after evaluation and exam)1st responder-NO travel required20 hour work week-MAXIMUM AVG.Name change (ATS)

Employment Settings:

High SchoolSchool DistrictsSports Medicine/Hospital ClinicsUniversity/College: AcademicsUniversity/College: Head AT/Assistant ATGraduate Assistant Industrial/CorporateProfessional SportsInternational