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what happens if…..

your running back takes a helmet to helmet hit and is knocked unconscious: can you tell if he’s suffered a spinal injury or concussion?
a member of the marching band develops a body temperature of 105 degrees during practice?
a cheerleading pyramid collapses and someone suffers a broken leg?
members of your basketball team contract contagious staph infections?
a faculty member or parent has a heart attack during a game or school assembly outside of the academic day?

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what happens if…..

you want to minimize the risk of catastrophic injuries and lawsuits?
you want decreased student time loss and increased test performance with in-house medical treatment and rehab?
you want convenient, cost-effective medical care for your students?

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An Athletic Trainer is

SOMEONE WHO CARES ABOUT

TAKING CARE OF YOUR KIDS

A medical professional with:

at least a bachelor’s degree
national professional certification (if certified)
a state license
required continuing education

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athletic trainers provide injury assessment and rehabilitation at school, leading to improved attendance.

This yields better grades and funding

athletic trainers make medically based return-to-play decisions.

no conflict of interest from coaches
Studies support that athletics trainers come to the same diagnosis has physicians 92% of the time.

athletic trainers provide easy access to the same experts that treat professional athletes

athletic trainers give immediate diagnosis and treatment of injuries, reducing severity, rehabilitation time and the chance of career-ending injuries

value for student athletes

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access to a specialized health care professional for your student athlete at no charge

on-field injuries are treated immediately and professionally

students can stay at school for rehabilitation – reduces missed work or classes from driving to a therapy clinic

continuity of care – from onset of injury to return-to-play

injury and illness prevention education

reduced health care costs and co-pays paid out – most conditions can be treated by the athletic trainer under the direction of a team physician

value for parents

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athletic trainers are the only health care providers specifically trained to work with athletes and other strenuously active populations.
athletic trainers are on school grounds and other school-sponsored athletic events providing immediate, quality health care services

parents and students share peace of mind

not all injuries can be prevented, but athletic trainers quickly and expertly assess injuries, stabilize patients and provide life- and limb-saving measures if needed

certified athletic trainers also educate students about:

healthy lifestyles
proper nutrition
exercise regimens
advise how to prevent illness and injury during physical activity

value for parents and students

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value for secondary schools

reduced liability – preventing injuries�and illnesses supports risk management at your school.

reduced absenteeism – students can stay at school for immediate first aid and on-going rehabilitation

competitive athletics – athletes are conditioned to perform to the best of their abilities, giving your school a competitive edge

public relations - hiring an athletic trainer shows you care about the health and safety of your students, faculty and staff

faculty in-service – as qualified health care professionals, athletic trainers can provide faculty in-service training

added health care services – some states allow workers comp cases to be treated by athletic trainers; emergency care is a specialty

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Secondary Schools

By employing an AT, a school improves

its risk management and its students

don’t have to miss valuable class time

going off-site for injury treatments.

Parents

Parents’ have eased concerns over their

children’s health and well being, save on �insurance and don’t miss productive work

time to handle their student-athletes’

healthcare, all benefiting the community at large.

Community Benefit

Improved health and safety of children

in the community leads to cost savings overall.

The community can focus extra money on

improving high schools

and extracurricular programs, including

athletic training depts.

Athletic Trainer

Provides the school with health care coverage,

risk abatement, safety of students,

good PR with parents/community

and cost savings.

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certified athletic trainers

the American Medical Association says:

Policy H-470.995 Athletic (Sports) Medicine

The AMA believes that: … (7) high

school administrators, athletic directors, and coaches should work with local physicians, medical societies, and medical specialty societies, as well as government officials and community groups to undertake appropriate measures to ensure funding to provide the services of a certified athletic trainer to all high school athletes;

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athletic trainers are the only licensed health care professionals who provide all of these essential services:

onsite, immediate, emergency care
injury treatment from injury onset to return to play
field coverage at practices and games

Before, During, & After school
Weekends, Holidays, & Summer

ongoing injury prevention – taping, brace adjustments, safety gear fitting
injury tracking and trending services – a vital role in injury prevention and communication
school health care administration
school or district public health representative

essential services

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unique on-site services

Many services an athletic trainer provides…

Prevent injuries and illnesses before they occur:

coordination and collation of pre-participation physicals
concussion baselines and brain injury assessments
conditioning programs
strengthening, proprioception training
nutritional services
ongoing health screenings
equipment and field safety
emergency action and evacuation plans
asthma action plan
MRSA and other infection prevention

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On-site rehabilitation – timely and safe return to PLAY

patients/athletes return to play faster and stronger

improved attendance – keeps student athletes in school instead of missing class time for treatment at outside facilities
athletic trainers monitor progress under the direction of a physician
money is saved in health insurance costs

unique value services

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unique educational services

Athletic trainers frequently provide teacher in-service classes and/or teach a limited load

patients and athletes learn more about how to prevent injuries, potential risks and nutrition
coaches learn how to prevent injuries
athletic trainers conduct coaches' clinics on health topics
employees learn about on the job injury prevention, health topics and wellness programs
community and parents benefit when everyone is healthier
CPR, AED and first aid training

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cost analysis

Glenbrook South High School

Glenview, Illinois

in 1992, one athletic trainer was able to provide student athletes with 3,172 treatments, valued at $475,800 when compared to the cost of similar/same treatments off-site

by 2000, with two additional athletic trainers on staff, 11,127 treatments were provided valued at $1,669,050

in 2006, three athletic trainers provided 13,766 treatments for student athletes, valued at $2,753,200

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reduce liability

United Educators General, a liability insurance company, reviewed 31 student injuries or deaths that occurred in connection with athletic practices at member institutions since 1996. Students and their families most commonly cited one or more of the following grounds for liability:

failure to adequately supervise practices and related sporting activities
failure to give proper instructions and warn of dangers
failure to offer reasonably safe facilities or equipment
failure to provide adequate emergency response

All of these grounds are essential and standard duties of athletic trainers

certified athletic trainers

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value for school administrators

“(Athletic Trainers) are first responders � to sports injuries. They are the catalyst of � information to coaches and athletes.” – � Sherri Stice, Cy Fair ISD

“Health and safety: A school’s first responsibility is to keep students safe. An athletic trainer is an essential part of the athletic program, supporting individual students who have incurred an injury and advising coaches about practices that support minimizing or reducing injuries.” – Chad Harris, Evanston High School

“It only takes one time to have something happen (without an athletic trainer nearby) to make it pay for itself.” – Tim Leeper, AD Fairgrove High School

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employment options

Need for additional athletic trainers:

Increased number of student athletes

The number of athletes to be evaluated and �treated has risen substantially while the number of athletic trainers has remained constant but is expected to begin declining with fewer education programs transitioning to the entry level-masters degree.
Demand for services during peak times exceeds the capacity of one professional
Many sports have evolved to increase physical demands on athletes, resulting in an increase in both the frequency and severity of injury

No gap in sports seasons

There is significant overlap in sports seasons
Additional work hours are unmanageable
Multiple events without coverage

More extracurricular events on off-campus sites concurrent with campus activities – a single AT can’t be in two places at one time
Compare your athletic trainers' hours to coaches, teachers, school nurses and administrators at your school

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educational requirements

All certified athletic trainers must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree with a major in Athletic Training from an accredited athletic training educational program. Academic programs in athletic training are accredited through an independent process by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education

(CAATE).

For more information:

visit www.caate.net

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certification

The independent Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) nationally certifies athletic trainers. As of 2021 newly certified Athletic Trainers must hold a masters degree and pass an examination to become certified.

To retain certification, ATC® all credential holders must obtain 50 hours of associated continuing education credits every two years and adhere to a code of ethics.

BOC certification is recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and is the only accredited certification program for athletic trainers.

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BOC certified athletic trainers are educated, trained and evaluated in six major practice domains:

Prevention
Clinical evaluation and diagnosis
Immediate care
Treatment, rehabilitation and � reconditioning
Organization and administration
Professional development

For more information,

visit www.bocatc.org

certification

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Concussion & RTP

Texas “Natasha's Law” signed by Gov. Rick Perry June 17, 2011.

Under the law:

Each school year, students and parents must sign a form that explains concussion prevention, symptoms, treatment, and oversight and that includes guidelines for safely resuming participation in athletics after a concussion. UIL must approve the form.
School districts must create concussion oversight teams with at least one physician member and, if at all practical, one or more athletic trainer, advanced practice nurse, neuropsychologist, or physician assistant. Members must be trained in evaluating, treating, and overseeing concussions.
The concussion oversight team must establish a return-to-play protocol.
The school district superintendent is responsible for ensuring that the athletic trainer complies with the return-to-play protocol.
A physician on a concussion oversight team shall to the greatest extent practicable take an appropriate continuing medical education course on concussions.

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Concussion & RTP

Natasha's Law also addresses return to play and requires a student to be removed immediately from practice/play if a coach, physician, advanced practice nurse, athletic trainer, neuropsychologist, physician assistant, or the student's parent suspects a concussion. The student cannot practice or compete again until:

He or she has been evaluated, using established medical protocol based on peer-reviewed scientific evidence, by a treating physician chosen by the student or by the student's parent;
He or she has successfully completed each requirement of the return-to-play protocol established by the concussion oversight team;
The treating physician has provided a written statement indicating that, in his or her professional judgment, it is safe for the student to return to play; and
The student and the student's parent acknowledge that the student has completed the requirements of the return-to-play protocol.

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Concussion & RTP

Recommendations on concussion management change over time with new research and understanding.

Concussions are a very complex injury. Often referred to has an invisible injury because currently there are no lab tests or imaging studies that can show a concussion.

This is why the RTP is a protocol and not a policy so that it can be easily updated when new evidence indicates the need to evolve the care program.

As licensed medical professionals, athletic trainers (ATs) receive comprehensive didactic and clinical training in concussion management. They are typically the first providers to identify and evaluate injured persons and are integral in the postinjury management and RTP decision-making process.

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Concussion & RTP

QISD RTP Condensed:

Cleared to begin RTP by Physician Note
Symptoms free without medication for 24 + hours
Day 1: Light Aerobic Activity for 10 – 15 minutes
Day 2: Body Weight Exercise and Sports Specific Conditioning (No Contact)
Day 3: Non-Contact Sport Skill Drills and Resistance Training
Day 4: Limited Contact in Controlled drills
Day 5: Unrestricted Practice
Return to Play

May only complete one step every 24 hours.

Must remain symptoms free to progress to next step.

In the event of symptoms development during RTP, athlete is removed from activity until symptoms free for 24 hours again without medicine and will repeat at the last step they could complete without symptoms occurring. Then attempt to progress from there again. If symptoms continue to reoccur and the athlete is unable to progress, they will be referred back to physician for further evaluation.

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Environmental Injury/Illness

Athletic Trainer continually monitors environmental conditions and relays to coaches and sponsors of outdoor participating groups of practice / play status

These include suspension and/or delay of activity for Lightning, Heat, & Cold.

Lightning Safety:

“Hear it, Clear it”

“See it, Flee it”

“When thunder roars, Go indoors!”

Lighting within 15-20 mi	Head up alert
Lighting within 10 – 12 mi	Begin Safety Procedures
Lightning within 6 mi	You are in imminent danger. Safety Procedures should be complete.
Lightning has not been detected for 30 minutes within 15 miles	All Clear.

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Environmental Injury/Illness

The traditional classification of heat illness defines 3 categories: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. However, this classification scheme omits several other heat- and activity-related illnesses.

Heat Rash

Heat Syncope

Exertional Hyponatremia

WBGT	Flag Color	Level of Risk
< 82 F	Green		Normal Activities
82.2 – 86.9 F	Yellow	Low	Use discretion for intense or prolonged exercise; provide at least three separate rest breaks each hour of at least 4 min long each.
87.1 – 90 F	Orange	Moderate	Maximum practice time is 2 hr. Limited Equipment. Provide at least 4 separate rest breaks each hour at least 4 min long each.
90.1 – 91.9 F	Red	High	Maximum practice time is 1 hr. No equipment, No conditioning activities. There must be 20 min of rest breaks distributed throughout the hour of practice.
> 92 F	Black	Hazardous	No Outdoor Workouts. Delay until a cooler WBGT is reached.

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Environmental Injury/Illness

Cold Weather Environmental Assessment:

Evaluate immediate and projected weather information, including air temperature, wind, chance of precipitation or water immersion, and altitude.
Identify activity intensity requirements and clothing requirements for each individual.
Have alternate plans in place for deteriorating conditions and activities that must be adjusted or cancelled.
The following guidelines can be used in planning activity depending on the wind-chill temperature. Conditions should be constantly reevaluated for change in risk, including the presence of precipitation:

30 F and below:	Be aware of the potential for cold injury and notify appropriate personnel of the potential.
25 F and below:	Provide additional protective clothing, cover as much exposed skin as practical, and provide opportunities and facilities for rewarming.
15 F and below:	Consider modifying activity to limit exposure or to allow more frequent chances to rewarm.
0 F and below:	Consider terminating or rescheduling activity.

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QISD Athletic Training�Snapshot

Combined FHS & TMS:

Sports = 15

Teams = ~ 48

Performing Arts Groups = 3

Teams/Divisions = ~ 7

~ 650 students per campus on average

~ 600 extracurricular students under ATs onus

Teach 3 Sports Medicine Classes

COVID Testing Coordinator (21-22 & 22-23 School years)

25 Coaches

4 Band Directors

4 Drills Coaches

4 Cheer Coaches

5 Nursing Staff

3 Admin / Campus (Principal/2 Asst Principals)

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QISD Athletic Training�Snapshot

Daily Schedule:

6:30 a.m. Treatment/Rehab

7:30 – 8:27 1^st Period Athletics (both FHS & TMS)

8:31 – 9:28 2^nd Period Conference

9:32 – 10:29 3^rd Period Sports Medicine 1 Class

10:33 – 11:30 4^th Period Sports Medicine 2 Class

11:34 – 1:12 5^th Period Athletics (both FHS & TMS) Sports Medicine 3 Class

1:16 – 2:13 6^th Period Conference/Preparation for after school practices/games/events

2:17 – 3:14 7^th Period Conference/Preparation for after school practices/games/events

3:18 – 4:15 8^th Period Athletics (both FHS & TMS)

4:15 – Finished with all after school practices and games.