The purpose of this guidelines are to clearly define
the roles and responsibilities of University of Southern Mississippi
athletic training students during unsupervised field experiences.
Terminology
1. Direct Supervision: the constant visual and auditory interaction
between athletic training student and certified athletic trainer (ATC)
or an athletic training Approved Clinical Instructor (ACI). Therefore,
the ATC or ACI is available on location to physically intervene in an
emergency or educational experience.
2. Clinical Supervision: a clinical experience that involves daily visual
and auditory interaction between the athletic training student and a
non-certified athletic trainer (e.g., physician, physical therapist,
EMT, nurse, coach).
3. Unsupervised: any clinical experience in which the athletic training
student is acting without the physical presence of a certified athletic
trainer (ATC) or Approved Clinical Instructor (ACI), or other clinical
supervisor such as a physician, physical therapist, EMT, nurse or coach);
thus making it impossible to intervene immediately. (See First Responder
below)
4. First Responder: any individual with current American Red Cross certification
in First Aid/CPR (Adult or Child CPR/Standard First Aid, Industrial
First Aid/CPR, Sports Safety Training/CPR, or other certifications offered
by the American Red Cross or other nationally accredited first aid providers
that contain the components of Adult CPR w/Automated External Defibrillation
(AED) and First Aid training).
Responsibilities: This individual would provide basic first aid skills
to injured
participants engaged in team/individual sporting events or recreational
activities at The
University of Southern Mississippi campus or affiliated clinical site.
In addition are listed
below other responsibilities this individual would be responsible for.
1. Provide basic first aid care to open wounds, abrasions, lacerations.
2. Provide basic first care to suspected fractures, sprains, and strains.
3. Use Universal Precautions and proper bio-hazard preventive methods.
4. Provide if needed-splinting, immobilization of limbs and joints prior
to
activation of EMS system/personnel.
5. Provide if needed taping, wrapping and dressing of wounds.
6. Provide if needed CPR and other acceptable life-saving techniques.
7. Provide immediate referral to ATC staff or appropriate facility
8. Be trained on protocols to activate local EMS personnel.
First Responder - Unsupervised Field Experiences
1. Acceptable Services – the Athletic Training student acting
without the direct supervision of an ATC or Approved Clinical Instructor
(ACI) or other supervisory staff (PT, Nurse, Coach):
a. Application of all acceptable first-aid skills for the treatment
of acute injuries by a first
responder as defined by this document .
b. Provide assistance to the athlete with the application of a stretching
program, but may not establish a new plan or protocol.
c. Application of tape, wrap or protective covering to prevent an injury
and support an existing injury.
d. Application of a prophylactic brace already being used.
e. Application of post op brace or splints for stabilization of an acute
injury or for the protection of an existing injury provided that the
splint has been previously applied to the athlete for the same injury.
f. Conduct a history evaluation to determine the urgency for referral
to ATC staff (the need for an immediate referral verses next day referral
to ATC staff).
g. Conduct a brief injury assessment to determine the need for splinting,
bracing, or crutch use for safe disposition of the injury and subsequent
referral.
h. Application of ice or hot packs per athletes recorded protocols.
i. Refer injured athlete to appropriate medical help (ATC or EMS) or
facility (Athletic
Training Room or Emergency Room).
2. Unacceptable Services (examples)
a. Initiate, change, or progress a rehabilitation plan without proper
supervision.
b. Use electrical or ultrasound modalities without established protocol
on file or proper
supervision
c. Conduct a full, new evaluation of an injury without proper supervision.
d. Making return-to-play decision
The athletic training student will consult with his/her field experience
supervisor or a University of Southern Mississippi certified athletic
trainer by telephone when traveling with an athletic team, and/or the
host certified athletic trainer for final evaluation and referral of
athlete.
