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Student Athletic Trainer Policies and Procedures

The purpose of this manual is to clearly establish the expectations of the student athletic trainer at The University of Texas-Pan American. The policies and procedures outlined in the manual cover a wide range of issues encountered during your athletic training experience at UTPA. It should be used as a reference during your time here, although it is not, by any means, a comprehensive book. It may be amended at any time at the discretion of the Head Athletic Trainer or the Assistant Athletic Trainer.

The mission of The University of Texas-Pan American Sports Medicine Department is two-fold. First, the sports medicine personnel is dedicated to provide the highest level of medical care possible to all UTPA student-athletes regardless of sport, gender, or ability level. This includes the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries, as well as the education and counseling of the student-athlete regarding health issues.

In addition, the sports medicine personnel is dedicated to develop the undergraduate student into an educated and experienced athletic trainer with a professional attitude who is eligible to earn a Bachelor's degree in a health or education related field and take the Texas State Licensure examination as well as the NATA Certification examination.

Student Athletic Trainer Requirements

Academic
You must be a full time student (12 hours) in good standing at the university to work in the training room.

Work Obligation
The work year will begin approximately one to two weeks before the first day of Fall classes and end when all of the university's intercollegiate teams have finished their competitive seasons. Do not plan a vacation without first checking with a staff athletic trainer. No classes may be scheduled after 1 PM without special circumstances.

You are expected to report to the training room no later than 1PM or directly following your last afternoon class daily. A copy of your current class schedule must be kept on file in the Training Room. If assigned team responsibilities, you must be present for all respective team athletic activities. This does not excuse you from treating all other athletes in the department or covering any other event or practice. If for any reason you cannot meet your student trainer obligations, you are responsible to make arrangements for the coverage of your team responsibilities and must call a staff athletic trainer immediately. The following priorities will be enforced: Academics, Athletic Training, Social.

Dress and Appearance Code
You should dress and behave like a licensed medical professional at all times in the athletic training room and at all practices and events. A neat, clean, professional personal appearance is an important step in gaining respect of athletes, coaches, administrators, and the general public. Do not neglect your responsibilities in this area. Appropriate dress and appearance while in the training room or at any practice or event is as follows:
Practice or general training room coverage:

"UTPA Sports Medicine" T-shirt or collared shirt (or UTPA team shirt) tucked in

Solid colored (neutral or school color) pants/shorts free from stains, holes, rips, or frayed edges

Must have pockets (May not be cut-offs)

Closed toe shoes with socks - No sandals (Preferably white sneakers or comfortable dress shoes may be worn with pants)

Hats may be worn outdoors - UTPA or neutral colors (At no time may you wear your hat any way, but forward)

Games/Competitions

"UTPA Sports Medicine" collared shirt tucked in

Khaki pants/shorts free from stains, holes, rips, or frayed edges (Must be appropriately sized)

Black wind pants may be worn at baseball games

Appropriate shoes/socks

UTPA hats may be worn at outdoor events.

Appropriate professional dress clothing may be worn for certain approved indoor events

All clothing should be neat, clean, and free of wrinkles. Hair should be neat and clean. Gentlemen should be shaven. You are expected to have a pen, watch, and scissors at all times. At no time is any apparel from other colleges and universities permitted in the training room. When traveling with a team, please check in advance and follow the dress code established by the head coach of that team. Practice and game attire dress code still applies.

When taking the Texas State Licensure or NATA Certification exams, you are not to wear any clothing that represents a particular school, club, or team. When attending any type of professional meeting you are to be in business attire.

Conduct
You have a responsibility to yourself, your family, your department, and your university to conduct yourself in a mature, professional manner at all times. Inappropriate language and behavior in the training room will not be tolerated. Inappropriate topics of conversation include, but are not limited to, alcohol or drug use, sexual issues, and the party that went on that weekend.

Maintain and wear the appropriate athletic training attire. Be on time - tardiness will not be tolerated. Be respectful towards all departmental staff members. Important personal qualities of a student athletic trainer include dedication, dependability, loyalty, friendliness, sincerity, and integrity. Proactivity is a must - anticipate assignments and needs and take action appropriately.

As a student athletic trainer, you are afforded certain privileges and access to facilities and resources. Do not abuse these privileges by using them at inappropriate times, for inappropriate activities, or extending them to those who do not have the authority to use them.

Professional Memberships
It is highly recommended that you become a student member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association.

First Aid and CPR
It is requirement that you maintain First Aid and CPR certifications throughout the year.

Student Athletic Trainer Policies

Cleaning
The Training Room is a medical facility that must constantly be kept clean and maintained in order to facilitate its function. People who sustain injuries must have a clean environment in which to be treated.

Continuous cleaning
The training room is by far the busiest department with a continuous flow of people. Therefore, cleaning becomes a continuous process. Ice bags, hydrocollator packs, towels, gloves, supplies, carts, and coolers must be attended to immediately.

Daily cleaning
The training room will be cleaned thoroughly at the end of each day. Do not plan on leaving until ALL duties are completed by the group.

Treatment and taping tables

Alcohol

Clean all surfaces and shelves
All counter tops

Alcohol or Lysol

Move items and containers, clean behind and underneath

Wipe off and restock containers Hydrocollators

Alcohol

Conditioner

Check water levels
Sink

Alcohol or Lysol

Empty and trash all ice bags

Wipe out sink
Modality cart

Wipe down machine

Wrap up cords, seal electrodes in bags

Arrange items on cart in an orderly fashion, remove items that do not belong

Refill bottles as needed
Towels

Dirty towels are to be placed in the hamper

Wash towels nightly
Rehab. Equipment

Wipe down at end of day

Includes bikes, Total Gym, UBE, Stairmaster, Orthotron, Massager
Whirlpools

Clean inside and outside with alcohol at end of each day

Includes motor casings, platform, and chair
Trash

Empty all cans daily

Change bags as needed
Floor

To be swept and mopped at the end of the day
Coolers

Cleaned and dried after each use

Flush spout with clean water after juice

Scrub inside and out with Bippy as needed

Store locked on shelf, lid off Closet

Keep neat and free on clutter

No personal items are to be stored in the closet. Use lockers.

Computer Use
The computer on the rear student desk has been furnished for use by the student athletic trainers. The computer may be used during work hours for classwork provided that all athletes and duties have been attended to. The computer may be used for non-academic purposes once the workday has ended. Under NO circumstances may the computer be used to access material that contains inappropriate or pornographic content.

Use of staff trainers' computers without prior permission is prohibited.

Confidentiality
The Buckley Amendment allows all university students the right to privacy of their records. All individuals have the right to privacy of their medical records. All training room staff members are bound by the restraints of medical confidentiality. Any information obtained in the training room stays in the training room. Do not discuss the status of an athlete with anyone.

Coverage
As a student athletic trainer, you will be expected to provide training room coverage, practice coverage, and event coverage. It is imperative that you are prompt and dressed appropriately in all instances. Certain standards of behavior are expected in all settings.

Training Room Coverage

Appropriately dressed as outlined in the Dress and Appearance Code and ready to work on time

Be attentive and helpful at all times

Prepare and furnish carts, coolers and supplies for daily practices in a timely manner

Administer treatment and rehabilitative sessions for student-athletes as they arrive

Maintain neat and orderly condition of training room

Assist staff athletic trainers with duties as needed

Stay busy - Anticipate needs and duties that need to be addressed without having to be asked

Enforce Training Room rules and regulations

Practice Coverage

Appropriately dressed as outline in the Dress and Appearance Code and ready to work on time

Prepare carts, coolers, kit, and other needed supplies

Administer pre-practice treatments

Be sure all equipment, kits, and coolers are on the court/field prior to the start of practice

Take a radio with you for all outdoor practices. Turn a radio on in the training room.

Familiarize yourself with the location and availability of a telephone

Station yourself so that you and your equipment are near the action, but not in the way, so that you may be easily spotted if needed

Remain attentive at all times. Do not turn your attention away from the action!

Assist in water breaks

Provide care for injured athletes as needed

Break down, clean, and put away equipment, carts, and coolers at the end of each practice

Administer post-practice treatments on site as well as in Training Room

Event Coverage

Appropriately dressed as outlined in the Dress and Appearance Code and ready to work on time

Prepare and put out carts, coolers, kit, and other needed supplies for both the bench area and the locker rooms well before the start of the contest

Administer pre-game treatments and taping

If you have been assigned a visiting team, greet them when they arrive, introduce yourself to the athletic trainer or coach and offer your services as well as the use of our facilities. Make yourself available to them throughout the contest.

During the contest, stay close to your equipment and pay close attention to play. Observe for players who do not perform normally or are down and injured.

Only one person need accompany the ATC onto the field or court to assist an injured player. Others should remain on the sideline ready to bring out any needed equipment the ATC calls for.

Administer water to those coming off the court/field and during time outs or breaks.

Check water and ice levels at halftime, or in between innings or games

Administer post-game treatments

Break down, clean, and put away all carts, coolers, and equipment after the contest

Make arrangements for treatments and rehab appointments for the following day

Food and Drink Ideally, it is your responsibility to take care of meals before your scheduled work shift. However, there may be times when you may need to eat during your work shift. Student athletic trainers may have food and drinks in the training room provided the following: all work has been taken care of and all athletes have been attended to. If taking a meal in the training room, please make sure you set up out of the way of normal training room function. Do not set up in a staff trainer's office or desk. Promptly clean up after yourself. Do not leave food or beverages out in the open. Food is not to be stored in the refrigerator for more than one day.

Gambling
NCAA regulations state that staff members (including student workers) of the athletic department of a member institution, as well as its student-athletes, shall not knowingly:

Provide information to individuals in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition

Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team

Accept a bet on any team representing the institution

Participate in any gambling that involves intercollegiate athletics (and, for student-athletes only, professional athletics), through a bookmaker, a parlay card, or any other method employed by organized gambling

Student athletic trainers fall under these NCAA regulations, and any violation of the preceding regulations will not be tolerated in the training room.

Homework
Your first obligation as a student athletic trainer is to your academic responsibilities. However, you must plan ahead to anticipate class assignments and exams and balance them with your work responsibilities. Procrastination will not be an excuse for missing a scheduled work obligation. Homework may be done in the training room provided all work duties have been completed and all athletes have been attended to. The student athletic trainer computer is always available for your use after hours as well.

Kits
Each student trainer is responsible for the stocking and maintenance of their kit. All kits must be properly stocked with standard equipment and refilled as necessary. Kits must be checked and restocked before each practice, event, and road trip. Keep a bag tag on your kit and store it in the closet neatly on the shelves.

Laundry
Training room laundry must be done at least every night. Loads may be done more often if needed. Always check the machines before you place a load inside. Lint compartments in dryers must be cleaned daily. You may use the machines in the equipment room to launder your work clothes. However, this does not excuse you from reporting to work properly dressed and on time.

Lockers
Use the lockers provided in the equipment room to store all personal belongings such as bags, clothes, and toiletries. Personal items should not be left anywhere in the training room or closet.

Record Keeping
Part of your responsibility as a student athletic trainer is to assist the staff in appropriate record keeping. Fill out all necessary forms (injury reports, illness reports, treatment & rehab logs, etc.) to the best of your individual ability before presenting to a staff trainer for assistance or review. These forms are very important in the documentation of everything that goes on in the training room and must be completed consistently and accurately.

You are responsible for keeping a current log of your intern hours. Please record these hours at least once per week. These logs may be spot checked at any time.

Sexual Harassment/Misconduct
You are required to conduct yourself in a mature and professional manner at all times while representing the sports medicine program. The athletic training staff supports and enforces UTPA's and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics' sexual harassment and sexual misconduct policy. Any language, conversation, and behavior of a sexual nature will not be tolerated.

Stereo
The training room stereo has been furnished for the enjoyment of everyone in the training room. You may play music from your personal collection, at the discretion of the staff trainers, provided that it does not contain inappropriate material. Volume may not exceed appropriate levels.

Telephone
Always be courteous and take a professional and complete message when answering to telephone. Phone messages should include who the message is for, the name and phone number of the caller, any message left, and the date and time of the call. Sign or initial all messages taken.

The training room telephone is for business purposes only. It is extremely important that those that need to get a hold of us are able to get through. Student-athletes are not permitted to use the telephone. Incoming or outgoing personal calls are not allowed. Personal cell phones must be turned off and put away during work hours; you are unavailable for personal business during the time that you are fulfilling work responsibilities.

Television
The television is not to be used for entertainment purposes during work hours. The athletic training video library may be accessed during down time in the training room.

Travel
When traveling on team trips, you represent the university and the sports medicine program. Always present yourself in a professional manner while traveling as well as at the event. Student athletic trainers are expected to abide by team rules, including curfews and dress code, as established by the head coach. All training room policies and procedures apply when on the road.

Relationship of Student Athletic Trainers To:

Staff Athletic Trainers
The Staff Athletic Trainers are charged with the health care of the student-athletes. Thus, the staff trainers are ultimately responsible for your actions. Please conduct yourself accordingly. We realize that you will have legitimate questions regarding treatments and procedures, and we are more than willing to help you learn. Just remember that there is a time and place for such questions.

There will be times when you will be expected to just follow instructions for the time being. Never question a staff athletic trainer's procedures in front of an athlete. Discussions should be held at the appropriate time and in the appropriate manner.

Student Athletic Trainers
It is necessary to have a good working relationship with everyone in the training room, including your fellow student athletic trainers. As with other staff, do not question or criticize them in front of an athlete. Any questions or concerns you have should be offered in a constructive manner at the appropriate time. More experienced students should help guide less experienced ones. Remember, we are a team and should work together and help each other out whenever possible.

Team Physicians
Our Team Physicians are an integral and valuable part of our sports medicine team. We should all treat our team physicians with the utmost respect. As a student athletic trainer, you will have the opportunity to get to know and work with our team physicians. Assist them whenever possible. Be sure to give them detailed information, and follow their instructions efficiently when assisting. Feel free to ask questions, but at the appropriate time. In general, most communication regarding student-athletes will be done through the staff athletic trainers.

Coaches
All communication with the coaches should be strictly respectful and professional in nature. Learn to get along with the coaches. Your purpose is to learn and assist the staff athletic trainers in monitoring the health and safety of the athletes. The coaches' purpose is to produce a successful program. Do not confuse the two. As you would not want the coach to tell you how to treat an athlete, do not become involved in the coaching aspects of a team.

Remember your purpose for being at the practice or game. If you are covering a team alone, communicate with the coaches the basics regarding the health status of their athletes. Should a coach question your procedures or judgement, calmly state that you are following the staff trainers' and team physicians' standing orders and protocols. Do not argue with a coach! Simply continue your job and report and direct any problems to a staff trainer.

Student-Athletes
As a student athletic trainer, you should maintain a paramedical, professional relationship with the people you work with, including the athletes. This is admittedly difficult, since the athletes are most often your peers. Socialization with the athletes during working time is discouraged. Do not discuss the status of one athlete with another.

Remember that anything an athlete tells you falls under the realm of medical confidentiality. If you have a problem with a particular athlete, do not argue with them. Bring it to the attention of a staff trainer.

Administration
All members of the Athletic Department's and the University's Administrative Staff should be treated with the utmost respect at all times. The decisions, business procedures, policies, and established standards should receive your full support. If you have any questions regarding these, see a staff trainer.

General Public
Often, you may be confronted with questions as to the health of an athlete. These may come from friends, members of the student body, the media, or the general public. This information is confidential to everyone outside the doctors, trainers, and coaches. This information is not to be discussed outside the training room. This is the only time when it is appropriate to plead ignorance.

Athletes' Parents
Should a parent contact you regarding the care their son or daughter is receiving, reassure them that they are receiving the best available care and refer them to a staff athletic trainer. Do not discuss an athlete's injury or care with the parents. Some athletes do not wish their parents to know of an injury or illness and, because of medical confidentiality and legal considerations, we may be required to honor this wish. Refer all questions of this nature to the staff athletic trainers.