UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
ATHLETIC TRAINING EDUCATION PROGRAM
CLINICAL EDUCATION

The majority of educational competencies should be taught in the didactic (academic/classroom) setting. This does not limit the student from learning at clinical sites or the traditional athletic training room setting, but should present opportunities for students to learn, review and discuss competencies with their clinical instructors or peer students. Students should keep in mind that instruction varies from instructor to instructor and that there may be different philosophies between the classroom instruction and the clinical application of athletic training techniques and skills. Students should be encouraged to discuss and share their learning experiences in both the classroom environment as well as the clinical environment.

"Clinical education represents the athletic training students' formal acquisition, practice, and ACI evaluation of the Entry-level Athletic Training Clinical Proficiencies through classroom, laboratory, and clinical education experiences under the direct supervision of an ACI or a clinical instructor. Formal evaluation of the application and integration of clinical proficiencies are completed by an ACI and may be in conjunction with additional clinical instructors. Related to clinical education is field experience, in which students have the opportunity to practice clinical proficiencies under the supervision of a clinical instructor. Clinical education shall occur in a minimum period of two academic years (4 semesters, 6 quarters, or 6 trimesters) and be associated with course credit. Courses shall include academic syllabi that includes measurable educational objectives and specific clinical proficiency outcomes that can be documented over time. Synonyms: Supervised clinical practice, clinical education experience"(Standard IIA1b,f, Education Council Guidelines for Clinical Education, NATA 2004)

CLINICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Once admitted into the USM ATEP, students will begin a progression through four clinical courses (HPR 354L, HPR 355L, HPR 454L and HPR 455L) and one senior field experience (HPR 472L). Clinical experience assignments are a required component of the curriculum. Students will spend an average of 20 hours per week in the clinical setting as part of the program requirements. Clinical competencies will be introduced in the clinical courses and students will have opportunities to practice the skill prior to being evaluated. USM ATEP clinical experiences will be obtained over a minimum of 2 and ½ years (4 academic semesters including one summer session). Students will need to complete HPR 354L during the first summer session in the ATEP program, which will require additonal clinical sessions (days) beyond the end of the published 5W2 session. This clinical experience (HPR 354L) includes two-a-day sports camps including assignment to clinical instructors with the sports of football, soccer, volleyball or cross country. All clinical hours must be directly supervised by (a) BOC certified athletic trainer who is an ACI, or CI, or (b) a health care professional identified as an ACI or CI designated by the program. Clinical experiences and hours must be documented correctly, signed by the appropriate ACI and filed with the clinical course instructor of record.

SUPERVISION DEFINITIONS

The ACI or CI –(instructor) shall be physically present to intervene on behalf of the athlete/patient. The ACI/CI will conduct daily personal/verbal contact with the student, planning, directing, advising and evaluating the athletic training education experience.

Students are required to obtain clinical experiences supervised by an ACI or CI. All clinical experiences shall be supervised.

If the student is not supervised by either an ACI or CI, the student is referred to as a “First Aider” and can not count this experience as a documented clinical experience. Students may be employed by Recreational Sports as a First Aider, but can not use these experiences in lieu of established clinical experiences. In addition, a student who is unsupervised may ONLY perform those duties (CPR, AED, FIRST AID) they are qualified for and will not perform Athletic Training related services such as operating therapeutic modalities, performing advance injury evaluation, conducting rehabilitation sessions, or team coverage activities as an “athletic trainer”.

PERSONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE

Students are automatically assessed a $10 fee for liability insurance purchased by the University for student enrolled in Clinical Observations/Experiences/Practicum’s. This fee is charged to the students account each semester the student is enrolled in a clinical course.

CLINICAL PRACTICE OF SKILLS

All practice sessions should be dated and initial by a Clinical Instructor or Approved Clinical Instructor (ACI). Clinical Instructors and ACI's should be familiar with the format and NOT allow students to document numerous practice sessions of a single skill on the same day. Students may practice and document different skills on the same day but NOT the same skill the same day. Practice sheets allow the student to demonstrate LEARNING OVER TIME in the acquiring of skills and techniques. Mastery of proficiency must be signed by an ACI and be documented on the Proficiencies Sign-off Sheet for a specific clinical lab and semester. Please be aware that students may be practicing some more difficult skills and techniques that will NOT be signed-off till the next semester or next year in the curriculum.