Radford University

Department of Exercise, Sport and Health Education

Athletic Training Education Program

 

Athletic Training Student Responsibilities

 

A student athletic trainer in the Athletic Training Education Program will essentially be in two situations throughout their clinical experience.   The duties that may be performed in the various situations are listed below.

 

Supervised Clinical Experience

A supervised clinical experience is when a program clinical instructor, or another approved health care professional such as a doctor associated with the program, is physically present and can intervene on behalf of the athlete.  This means that the clinical instructor can have both auditory and visual contact with the student.  When in a supervised clinical experience, the student can perform any and all skills that are previously mastered.

Unsupervised Clinical Experience

An unsupervised clinical experience, which is always voluntary on behalf of the student, is one in which a program clinical instructor is NOT physically present to intervene on behalf of the athlete.  This would include practice situations where no clinical instructor is present, as well as unsupervised travel.

 

When in this situation, a student is restricted to the role of a first responder.  This means that the student can only perform the following functions:

  1. Apply ice, compression and elevation to an injured body part.
  2. Splint an injured body part.
  3. Activate the emergency medical system.
  4. Perform emergency procedures they are qualified to perform (e.g., CPR).
  5. Apply taping or wrapping to prevent an injury (once the skill is mastered).
  6. Control bleeding, and clean and dress a wound.
  7. Aid in stretching.

 

When unsupervised, a student CANNOT:

  1. Apply modalities other than ice.
  2. Perform an evaluation, other than for emergency referral.
  3. Perform any rehabilitation procedures.
  4. Make decisions about the disposition of an athlete (including playing).

When in an unsupervised situation, and an injury occurs:

  1. Treat the injury with first responder skills only.
  2. Refer the athlete at the first available opportunity to a program clinical instructor.
  3. If traveling, the COACH has the ultimate authority for whether an athlete can play or not.

 

I, ______________________________, have read and understand the duties associated with the various educational environments I will be in, and I agree to limit my actions to those that are appropriate for each situation. 

 

____________________________                            _____________________________

(Student’s Signature/ Date)     (Program Director’s Signature/ Date)