Retention of Athletics Trainers is among the many great challenges of our Profession.  Some might even question “why advocate?” when at least half of us will leave Athletic Training by our mid-40s.  So, what can we do to keep people in Athletic Training? (Besides the obvious… pay more… and appreciate us more!)


1. We need to do a better job socializing students.  It’s important to know what to expect in the “real world” and as educators, we have a responsibility to provide students with experiences that replicate the life of an Athletic Trainer.

2. We need to stop saying things like “back in my day” or “when I went to school.”  Our profession has undergone significant educational reform and it will again.  We have all had unique experiences.  Draw from them to teach, not to contrast.

3. We need to mentor young professionals.  They often face difficult challenges with interpersonal communication, administrative responsibilities, and increased pressure.  Helping young professionals strategize and manage these challenges will help us retain great Athletic Trainers.

4. We need to take time for ourselves, used a teamed approach to care, and choose not to hold each other in contempt when life conflicts with work… especially when all of us will face a day when our lives are more important than our work.  Encourage family, exercise, hobbies… encourage time for life.

Young professionals are avoiding the traditional settings because of the long hours, increased intensity, and overall lack of appreciation for Athletic Trainers.  We need to show people the stark contrast between our HEALTH PROFESSION and traditional athletics. Just because coaches think more is better, doesn’t mean that’s good medicine. Time away… is supported by the evidence… for athletes and Athletic Trainers. 

Lindsey Eberman, Ph.D., LAT, ATC

Concussion legislation exists in all 50 states and as such, our role in the process becomes more and more important.  As highly educated health care professionals, we are more than capable of providing concussion management practices.  The presence of Athletic Trainers, particularly in secondary schools allows an in-house means to comply with the legislation, under the supervision and in collaboration with a physician.  Yet, these legislative acts do not explicitly call for Athletic Trainers as the ‘qualified’ or ‘appropriate’ medical professions able to clear athletes from concussions. 

It appears, without explicit language, administrators are less likely to hire Athletic Trainers.  But shouldn’t they define who is ‘qualified’ or ‘appropriate’?  Wouldn’t specific language compel employers to fill the void in their organizations.  For now, they will continue to refer their students and student-athletes directly to physicians for clearance.  The more cost effective measure for the students or more accurately the student’s parents is to allow the on-site qualified medical professional to be empowered to make these return to play decisions in consultation with their supervising physician.  These relationships create a conduit for improved care and access. 

Parents already recognize the importance of Athletic Trainers during game safety.  Two-thirds polled in a 2010 study at the University of Michigan supported the mandate for Athletic Trainers at all practices and games.  So, while the states passing legislation are making strides to improved patient care, we need legislators to define ‘qualified’ or ‘appropriate’ medical providers and Athletic Trainers need to be included.

Justin Police LAT, ATC  

Spreading ourselves too thin.  Stand Proud… We are Athletic Trainers First and Foremost.

The Youth Sport Safety Alliance, Student-Athlete Bill of Rights, and increasing concussion legislation is creating a platform to promote Secondary School Athletic Training and potentially a greater need.  However, barriers still exist… 

Although Athletic Trainers are highly educated health care professionals, much like nurses, some states still require things like a teaching credential to practice… why is that? Is it because a teaching credential enhances our ability to provide medical care to the physically active? Or is it because employers still want ways to ask Athletic Trainers to do two jobs for the price of one?

Career counselors, conferences, job postings, Athletic Trainers and even professional program directors may suggest that having a teaching certification upon completion enhances marketability. The Journal of Athletic Training even published original research on this in 1995 with program directors advising students to take advantage of the courses while in their athletic training program and get certified if you have any desire to work in the secondary school setting. This is fundamentally wrong… and in the current climate where even dual credentialing as another health care provider carries its own added pressures, why can’t we just be who we are? Athletic Trainers? Students in our programs need to be focusing on their future careers in ATHLETIC TRAINING!

This is not to say we don’t think Athletic Trainers could also be teachers, if that’s what they want.  But, don’t think you should be compensated for both, be trained adequately at both? Just a warning though; Athletic Trainer/Teachers work 60-70 hours per week and risk the same retention issues of those in college/university athletics.

Now, it is time to advocate! Educate school principals, superintendents and athletic directors about the roles you play as an Athletic Trainer. We should be hired for what we are; healthcare professionals who are not a by-product of a teacher (a skilled job in and of itself), but a necessity for quality care of secondary school students and student-athletes.

Zachary Winkelmann LAT, ATC

As youth sports gather popularity, the risk for injuries also rise.  In the last 5 years, over 200 sports-related deaths of young athletes have been reported.  Approximately 8,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each day for sports-related injuries (more data available here). 

In the United States we are actively seeking combat obesity, diabetic and other illnesses through exercise.  With this push to use exercise as medicine, the Alliance for Youth Sports Safety was established. The Alliance started with 30 leading health care and sports organizations forming a Call-to-Action for the purpose of preventing and reducing catastrophic injuries in youth sports. Some of the Alliance members include the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, American Academy of Pediatricians, National Athletic Trainers’ Association, National Center for Sports Safety, and National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury. Some of the commitments of the Call to Action are:  to educate players, administrator, coaches, and parents in ensuring safety, development of Emergency Action plans, ensuring policy for pre-participation examination and access to health care professionals.  For more info on the Call to Action, click here. 

Currently, the Alliance for Youth Sports Safety is growing to over 100 members and had just met for their 5th annual Summit in Washington, D.C. The Youth Sports Safety Summit is critical to drawing the public’s attention to ALL sports injuries, both minor and life-threatening. The goal of the Summit is to educate policymakers and the public about things like sudden cardiac arrest, exertional heat illness, sickle cell, cervical spine and organ injuries, as well as concussion.  The Alliance for Youth Sports Safety and its growing members are pushing for federal statutes for Student Athletes Bill of Rights. The Youth Sport Safety Alliance plays a crucial role in preventing catastrophic deaths in youth sports and I challenge you to keep in tabs and be involved with Youth Sports Safety Alliance.

One death is one too many. 

Denny Wongosari, LAT, ATC

Athletic Trainers are defined by the National Athletic Trainers Association as healthcare professionals trained in injury prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Indiana recently passed a new bill, IN HB 1290, which categorizes athletic trainers as healthcare providers under the title “Athletic Trainer.” In the previous bill, athletic trainers were categorized only as “technicians.”  

In addition to proper recognition of Athletic Trainers, the law works to help educate patients and coaches about concussions. Only in Indiana, Athletic Trainers in the secondary school setting are mandated to educate and train coaches about concussions.  In conjunction, the Community Health Network has teamed up with Athletes Saving Athletes (ASA) to help athletes recognize the signs and symptoms of sports related injury and chronic medical conditions. High school athletes are nominated by their coaches and teachers and must possess leadership qualities. This course will teach the athletes how to recognize symptoms of sudden cardiac arrest, concussions, head and neck injuries, heat illness, diabetes and asthma. They are also taught how to perform hands only CPR and how to administer the use of an AED. If these student-athletes recognize any of the signs and symptoms that they have learned, they must report this information to the Athletic Trainer or the Physician associated with the team. Once the athlete has been removed from practice, the coach must receive verbal permission from the Athletic Trainer or the Physician before they can return to play. Within 24 hours of this verbal permission, a written permission must be provided to the coach before the athlete can return to sport participation.


Emilie Miley LAT, ATC &  Robert Vallandingham LAT, ATC
 

In the United States greater than 7M high school student-athletes participate in sporting events each year. Of these 7M student-athletes, 2M sustain injuries, 200,000 through athletics. Many states do not require their high schools to employ athletic trainers, in fact, a large majority. Many high schools cannot afford to employ an athletic trainer due to insufficient budgets. As athletic trainers we are aware of the critically important role that we play in the emergent care of athletic injuries, as well as in the prevention and management of orthopedic injuries.  

The NATA in collaboration with over 120 other organizations including, the Youth Sports Safety Alliance, The American Football Coaches Association, the American Heart Association, and the National Association of State Boards of Education are currently supporting H. Res. 72 and Sen. Res. 372. Both of these proposals have no associated costs and offer members of Congress the ability to raise awareness of youth athlete safety issues to their constituents. Both of these resolutions suggest ten best practices that any school in the country can implement to make their student athletes safer. Further, they encourage secondary schools to take all available and reasonable efforts to ensure student athlete safety.

Please read these resolutions and support the political endeavors of the NATA:

S. Res. 372

H. Res. 72

One way in which you can do this is by joining the NATAPAC the National Athletic Trainers Association Political Action Committee.

Do you believe that states should require their high schools to employ an athletic trainer? Also, what further measures do you think we can take to improve the health and safety of our youth athletes?

Stephen Edwards, LAT, ATC

For years, National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers have been used by health care professionals as a means of reimbursement for their services.  These include Physicians, Physical Therapists, Physicians Assistants, Nurse Practitioners and Occupational Therapists.  In a recently published article, nearly 100% of those health care providers mentioned above have obtained their respective NPI numbers.  This is in comparison to only 52% of Athletic Trainers. 

Why would I need a NPI number if I don’t work in a clinic setting?  Many question the need for obtaining the NPI number because they do not actively seek third party reimbursement in their current professional setting.  While it’s true that it’s more likely that Worker’s Compensation or insurance claims will use this number, it is a possibility that reimbursement could occur in secondary schools and collegiate settings. It may help to combat budgetary issues and also improve the profession’s standing.  For this to happen, Athletic Trainers must push to become nationally identified as midlevel providers.  We, as Athletic Trainers are NOT technicians. We are highly educated health care professionals.  

Please take a few minutes and register for your NPI number. 

Link to obtaining NPI number: https://nppes.cms.hhs.gov/NPPES/StaticForward.do?forward=static.npistart

Step by Step Instructions: http://www.nata.org/NPI 



Justin Police, LAT, ATC & Beth Neil, LAT, ATC

With the recent push for access to an Athletic Trainer in youth sports, it is important for parents to know who they are trusting to watch over their children. Is your state regulating the practice of Athletic Training?

Licensure is important for the Profession. It not only recognizes those who are qualified to call themselves Athletic Trainers, but it prevents us from those posing as Athletic Trainers. In California, nothing is stopping a person from claiming to be an Athletic Trainer. These individuals might not have Board of Certification credentials or graduate from a CAATE accredited education program.  This increases risk to patients and fails the Profession. 

State regulation not only protects patients, but it protects practitioners too!  The Athletic Training scope of practice is defined by the Role Delineation Study, Educational Competencies, and Position Statements. Although each state’s practice act varies, guidance as to what is permitted within this scope of practice helps to shape clear expectations for clinicians.   

As a California native, I am very passionate about getting the current legislation passed. Athletics Trainers across the country, particularly those practicing in California should be pushing for AB 1890 "Athletic Trainers Practice Act." The bill mandates that those practicing in the state meet specific qualifications. The bill is currently supported by Assembly Member Ed Chau (District 49) and needs further support before passing to the Senate.  After completing my professional degree and becoming certified, I decided to continue my Post-Professional education at Indiana State University. Having not been exposed to licensure laws prior to my arrival, the process was new to me.  And like all things with an application and fees, it can be a pain, but once I realized this was because Indiana supported my profession, I knew no matter how many documents I needed notarized or stamped, it was worth it.  Licensure yields validation and respect for Athletic Trainers. 

I believe that Athletic Training in the state of California has definite potential for growth. As the most populated state, the need more Athletic Trainers in secondary schools needs to be a priority… a national priority.  But until we embrace licensure… why would Athletic Trainers come for employment?

The first step is Licensure! This could be the year! Step up and advocate for your profession! Below is a link to the list of Assembly members in California. PLEASE take a minute to send an email to the Assembly Member in your District. Let’s get as much support for this bill as we can! (AB 1890 Athletic Trainers Practice Act)

http://assembly.ca.gov/

Michael Neal LAT, ATC & Lindsey E. Eberman PhD, LAT, ATC

Over the course of the profession Athletic Trainers have been called trainers, so what does that really mean? According to Merriam-Webster a trainer is “a person who teaches or coaches athletes or animals: a person who treats animals.” I don’t know about the other Athletic Training professionals, but I don’t see my daily practice as training and treating animals. There is also the entire conversation explaining that you don’t just help the athletes get stronger, and that you are not a personal trainer. 

The National Athletic Training Association defines Athletic Training as “healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians." Athletic Trainers provide services in injury prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.

Then what is the big deal of calling ourselves Athletic Trainers and not trainers? Athletic Trainers must graduate from an accredited bachelors or master’s program, pass a Board of Certification exam, and complete continuing education requirements. These requirements are what we should use to push the term Athletic Trainer and not trainer. We are educated healthcare professionals who treat and prevent injuries and treat medical conditions. The next time your team asks for a “trainer” stand proud and introduce yourself as an Athletic Trainer.

Austin Krause, LAT, ATC

If you think your action doesn’t matter… Here’s my story from Capitol Hill Day 2013.

My first trip to Washington D.C. for Hit the Hill was part of my administration project from my undergraduate athletic training program. I attended, naive but hopeful that I would be able to make an impact. With the guidance from Mitzi Laughlin from District 6, we attended meetings with Senator Ted Cruz, Representative Pete Olson, and others from around the state of Texas. Little did I know that we sparked an interest with Rep. Olson who is now a co-sponsor on H.R. 72 (Secondary School Student Athletes’ Bill of Rights). Though the meeting was short and the bill has not been passed into legislation, our efforts to simply tell our story and the relentless efforts of the PAC are having an impact! 

It is simple to get involved and even easier to find something you are passionate about. Get on-line, help out, and seek ways to do a little more for yourself, your athletes and the profession. 

Zachary Winkelmann, LAT, ATC