So What is an Athletic Trainer?
According to the NATA, Athletic Trainers are to provide "Athletic Training Services" to student athletes under the direction of the team physician or by written referral from a physician, and in accordance with the state athletic training practice act.
- Maintain appropriate general treatment orders to be reviewed annually and approved by the team physician.
- Provide athletic training services for all home athletic contests and away varsity football games. If a conflict arises between an away varsity football game and a home contest the varsity football event will supersede.
- Act as liaison between family physicians and specialists, the school district, athletes and their parents.
- Maintain accurate records of injuries, and treatments.
- Develop and maintain a budget for the athletic training program.
- Schedule and be present for pre-participation sports physicals.
- Provide the coaches and athletic director with a list of athletes medically eligible to compete under district and state rules and regulations.
Athletic Training Services: The management and provision of care of injuries to a physically active person as defined in the state practice act with the practice act with the direction of a licensed physician. The term includes the rendering of emergency care, development of injury prevention programs, and providing appropriate preventative and devices for the physically active person. The term also includes the assessment, management, treatment, rehabilitation, and recondition of the physically active person whose conditions are within the professional preparation and education of a certified athletic trainer. The term also includes the use of modalities such as mechanical stimulation, heat, cold, light, air, water, electricity, sound, massage and the use of therapeutic exercises, reconditioning exercise and fitness programs.