athletic training student aide concerns

1. Athletic Training Student Aide Concerns Matt Webber, ATC Athletic Trainer, Page High School AzATA Winter Symposium February 19, 2011

2. NATA Statement Use of athletic training student aides needs to comply with State Practice Acts, BOC Standards of Professional Practice and the NATA Code of Ethics. Students should be under the direct visual supervision of the licensed/certified athletic trainer. Students must not be allowed to act independently as athletic trainers.

3. BOC Standards and NATA Ethics Both the BOC Standards of Professional Practice and NATA Code of Ethics point to complying with state practice acts. The focus of any investigation on what high school athletic training student aides can legally do must be on the state practice act.

4. Arizona Practice Act Intended to protect the public. All those who practice athletic training must be licensed. No one who is not licensed may use the term “athletic trainer” to describe themselves. The allowance for athletic training students applies only to those enrolled in CAATE accredited athletic training programs.

5. High School Athletic Training Student Aides High school students have no legal standing to provide any athletic training services.

6. First Aid First aid is the provision of initial treatment to an ill or injured person before professional medical care is available. Any person may provide first aid. First aid does not include typical athletic training preventative measures, special orthopedic tests, post-acute treatment or return to play evaluations.

7. Violations All licensees are required to report any violation of the Athletic Training Practice Act.

8. Violations A person who engages in an activity requiring an athletic training license or who uses any word, title or representation that implies that the person is licensed to engage in the practice of athletic training is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor. A student found in violation of the athletic training practice act would have to report that violation on future applications for licensure, which may effect their ability to get a license to practice any profession.

9. Violations A person who aids or requires another person to violate the athletic training statute or board rules is subject to a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each violation and not more than five thousand dollars for each subsequent violation. Licensees in violation also are subject to actions against their license.

10. Violations Licensees found in violation also may face action under the BOC Professional Standards of Practice and NATA Code of Ethics.

11. Other Issues Medical, ethical and liability concerns of having minors caring for minors. If it is determined that the law was violated liability insurance may not cover the damages. Perception that high school students can provide adequate athletic training care.

12. Conclusion Be very, very careful how high school athletic training student aides are used.