Sports Medicine & Athletic Training

List of 5 items.

• What is Athletic Training?

  Athletic training is an allied health care profession that is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as an allied health care profession. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic athletic injuries and medical conditions.

• Who are Athletic Trainers?

  Athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training and the state's statutes, rules and regulations, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. The NATA Code of Ethics states the principles of ethical behavior that should be followed in the practice of athletic training.
  
  Athletic trainers are sometimes confused with personal trainers. There is, however, a large difference in the education, skillset, job duties and patients of an athletic trainer and a personal trainer. The athletic training academic curriculum and clinical training follows the medical model. Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited baccalaureate or master's program, and 70% of athletic trainers have a master's degree.
  
  The Guide of Athletic Training Services describes the qualifications of athletic trainers and the clinical tasks they routinely perform in the delivery of quality health care for student athletes at Loyola Academy.
  
  If you are a current Loyola Academy student and interested in athletic training, you can learn more about the profession or become a volunteer student athletic trainer by contacting Coordinator of Athletic Training Mr. Andrew Rdzok at ardzok@loy.org

• Athletic Training Education

  Athletic training is an academic major or graduate equivalent major program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The current minimum entry point into the profession of athletic training is the baccalaureate level, however it was recently decided by the AT Strategic Alliance that the minimum professional degree level will be a master's, a change to be implemented within the next several years. More than 70 percent of athletic trainers hold at least a master’s degree. Upon completion of a CAATE-accredited athletic training education program, students become eligible for national certification by successfully completing the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) examination.

• Professional Education

  Professional training education uses a competency-based approach in both the classroom and clinical settings. Using a medical-based education model, athletic training students are educated to provide comprehensive patient care in five domains of clinical practice:
  

  1. prevention
  2. clinical evaluation and diagnosis
  3. immediate and emergency care
  4. treatment and rehabilitation
  5. organization and professional health and well-being.

  The educational requirements for CAATE-accredited athletic training education programs include acquisition of knowledge, skills and clinical abilities along with a broad scope of foundational behaviors of professional practice. Students complete an extensive clinical learning requirement that is embodied in the clinical integration proficiencies (professional, practice oriented outcomes) as identified in the Athletic Training Education Competencies.
  
  Students must receive formal instruction in the following specific subject matter areas identified in the Competencies:

  • Evidence-based practice
  • Prevention and health promotion
  • Clinical examination and diagnosis
  • Acute care of injury and illness
  • Therapeutic interventions
  • Psychosocial strategies and referral
  • Health care administration
  • Professional development and responsibility

• Continuing Education

  Per the Board of Certification
  
  Continuing education requirements are intended to promote continued competence, development of current knowledge and skills and enhancement of professional skills and judgement. These activities must focus on increasing knowledge, skills and abilities related to the practice of athletic training.
  
  As information continually changes, it is important for professionals to learn the latest about athletic training. Continuing education requirements are meant to ensure ATs continue to:

  • Stay on the cutting edge in the field of athletic training.
  • Obtain current professional development information.
  • Explore new knowledge in specific content areas.
  • Master new athletic training-related skills and techniques.
  • Expand approaches to effective athletic training.
  • Further develop professional judgment.
  • Conduct professional practice in an ethical and appropriate manner.

  NATA provides athletic trainers with a range of continuing education opportunities through workshops, webinars, home study courses and the Clinical Symposia & AT Expo.