Students shall demonstrate mastery of health care management concepts. A variety of criteria will be used to assess student mastery, including appraisal of major case concepts, critique of hypothetical health care management scenarios, justification of decision making in health care administration, and recommendation of appropriate actions in both real and hypothetical situations. In addition, students will be required to predict the likely outcomes of health care administration actions and develop plans for delivery of health care services.

Students shall display values in health care administration consistent with the Code of Ethics of the National Athletic Trainers' Association and the Standards of Practice for Athletic Trainers. The criteria used to assess this objective will include the degree to which students conform to the aforementioned standards in both written work and oral argument. Students shall show in word, written work, and action that they both understand the importance of these standards and can comply with their precepts.

Competencies Addressed

Students shall master the following psychomotor, cognitive, and affective skills from the Athletic Training Educational Competencies, 3rd Edition (NATA, 1999). Some of these competencies will also be taught in other courses in the athletic training program.
 
 

Competency Domain 

Competency Description 
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Identifies the physical and environmental risk factors associated with specific activities the physically active person may engage in.
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Appraises the risk factors associated with common congenital and acquired abnormalities, disabilities, and diseases.
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Implements the recommended or required components of a preparticipation examination based on governing authorities' rules, guidelines, and recommendations.
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Outlines the basic concepts and practices of a wellness screening. This includes, but is not limited to, various baselines and standards and other fundamental methods used to screen for wellness.
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Identifies areas that athletic personnel or supervisors must be familiar with in order to avoid or reduce the possibility of injury or illness occurring to athletes and others engaged in physical activity (e.g., cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] and first aid).
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Identifies the precautions and risks associated with exercise in individuals who have systemic conditions.
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Identifies basic legal concepts and considerations associated with protective equipment, including product and personal liability.
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Identifies the basic principles and concepts of home, school, and workplace ergonomics and their relationship to the prevention of illness and injury.
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Accepts the moral, professional, and legal responsibilities for conducting safe programs to minimize injury and illness risk factors for individuals involved in physical activity.
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Acknowledges the importance of developing and implementing a thorough, comprehensive injury and illness prevention program.
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Understands the need for cooperation among administrators, athletic personnel, certified athletic trainers, parents/guardians, other health care professionals, and athletes and others engaged in physical activity in the implementation of effective injury and illness prevention programs.
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Appreciates and respects the role of athletic personnel and supervisors in injury and illness prevention programs.
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Accepts moral, professional, and legal responsibility for conducting appropriate preparticipation examinations.
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Accepts and respects the established guidelines for scheduling physical activity to prevent exposure to unsafe environmental conditions.
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Values the importance of collecting data on temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions that can affect the human body during exercise in adverse weather conditions.
Risk Management & Injury Prevention Appreciates and respects the principles and concepts of home, school, and workplace ergonomics.
Assessment & Evaluation Uses the terminology necessary to communicate the results of an athletic training assessment to physicians and other health professionals.
Assessment & Evaluation Describes components of medical documentation (e.g., subjective, objective, assessment, plan [SOAP] and history, inspection, palpation, special tests [HIPS]).
Assessment & Evaluation Uses appropriate terminology in the communication and documentation of injuries and illnesses.
Assessment & Evaluation Appreciates the importance of documentation of assessment findings and results.
Acute Care of Injury & Illness Explains the legal, moral, and ethical parameters that define the scope of first aid and emergency care, and identifies the proper roles and responsibilities of the certified athletic trainer.
Acute Care of Injury & Illness Recognizes appropriate written medical documentation and abbreviations.
Acute Care of Injury & Illness Appreciates the medical-legal and ethical protocol governing the referral of injured and ill athletes and other individuals engaged in physical activity.
Acute Care of Injury & Illness Appreciates the legal, moral, and ethical parameters that define the scope of first aid and emergency care, and values the proper role of the certified athletic trainer in providing this care.
Acute Care of Injury & Illness Appreciates state laws, rules, and regulations governing the application of immobilization devices.
Pharmacology Recognizes the general concepts and differences in the legal regulation of nonprescription, prescription, and classified pharmaceuticals.
Pharmacology Recalls and can access the laws, regulations, and procedures that govern the storage, transportation, dispensation, and recording of prescription and nonprescription medications (Controlled Substance Act, scheduled drug classification, and state statutes).
Pharmacology Accepts physician (or other qualified health care provider) and pharmacist consultation as a legal, moral, and ethical necessity in the prescription and dispensation of medication.
Pharmacology Accepts the laws and regulations that govern the storage, transportation, and dispensation of all drugs.
Pharmacology Supports the moral and ethical behavior of athletic trainers in dealing with the issues of drug use and abuse in sports.
Pharmacology Accepts moral and ethical responsibility for maintaining current knowledge of the medications commonly prescribed to athletes and others involved in physical activity.
Pharmacology Advocates moral and ethical behavior of self and colleagues in dealing with issues of a pharmacological nature.
Pharmacology Promotes accountability for moral and ethical decision making in pharmacological issues.
Therapeutic Modalities Accepts the professional, ethical, and legal parameters that define the proper role of the certified athletic trainer in the use of therapeutic agents to treat, rehabilitate, and recondition athletes and others involved in physical activity.
Therapeutic Modalities Advocates the accepted medical protocol regarding the confidentiality of medical information relative to therapeutic modality treatments.
Therapeutic Exercise Describes rehabilitation, functional, and reconditioning progress using follow-up notes, progress notes, SOAP notes, etc.
Therapeutic Exercise Records rehabilitation or reconditioning progress (e.g., follow-up notes, progress notes).
Therapeutic Exercise Accepts the professional, ethical, and legal parameters that define the proper role of the certified athletic trainer in the treatment, rehabilitation, or reconditioning of athletes and others involved in physical activity.
Therapeutic Exercise Accepts the moral and ethical obligation to provide rehabilitation or reconditioning to athletes and to others engaged in physical activity to the fullest extent possible.
Therapeutic Exercise Respects accepted medical and paramedical protocols regarding the confidentiality of medical information, medical and therapeutic prescriptions, and health care referral as they relate to the rehabilitation or reconditioning process.
General Medical Conditions & Disabilities Supports the moral and ethical behavior of athletic trainers in issues dealing with diseases of athletics and physical activity.
General Medical Conditions & Disabilities Recognizes the moral and ethical responsibility of taking situational control in the containment of common contagious viral and infectious diseases.
Psychosocial Intervention & Referral Communicates with appropriate health care professionals in a confidential manner.
Psychosocial Intervention & Referral Accepts the professional, ethical, and legal parameters that define the proper role of the certified athletic trainer in providing health care information, intervention, and referral.
Psychosocial Intervention & Referral Accepts the responsibility to provide health care information, intervention, and referral consistent with the certified athletic trainer's professional training.
Psychosocial Intervention & Referral Recognizes the certified athletic trainer's role as a liaison between those involved in physical activity, athletic personnel, health care professionals, parents/guardians, and the public.
Psychosocial Intervention & Referral Accepts the need for appropriate interpersonal relationships between all of the parties who deal with athletes and others involved in physical activity.
Psychosocial Intervention & Referral Accepts the moral and ethical responsibility to intervene in situations of suspected or known use and/or abuse of legal and illegal drugs and chemicals.
Psychosocial Intervention & Referral Accepts the moral and ethical responsibility to intervene in situations of mental, emotional, and/or personal/social conflict.
Psychosocial Intervention & Referral Recognizes athletes and other physically active individuals as deserving of quality professional health care.
Psychosocial Intervention & Referral Accepts the individual's physical complaint(s) without personal bias or prejudice.
Health Care Administration Describes the organization and administration of preparticipation examination and screening including, but not limited to, maintaining medical records, developing record-keeping forms, scheduling personnel, and site utilization.
Health Care Administration Lists the components of a medical record, such as permission to treat, emergency information, treatment documentation, and release of medical information.
Health Care Administration Identifies the advantages and disadvantages associated with medical record keeping, including the issues of paperwork, electronic data security, record-keeping systems, and confidentiality.
Health Care Administration Lists the current injury/illness surveillance and reporting systems such as, but not limited to, National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), National Athletic Head and Neck Injury Registry, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Health Care Administration Lists the various methods for recording patient information, and compares the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
Health Care Administration Identifies common human resource policy and federal legislation on employment regarding, but not limited to, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Wage and Hour Act, Family Medical Leave Act, Family Educational Rights Privacy Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, sexual harassment, and the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission.
Health Care Administration Describes the Universal Precautions mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and discusses how they apply to the athletic trainer.
Health Care Administration Summarizes the function of accrediting agencies for health care facilities.
Health Care Administration Identifies the process of obtaining state regulatory acts for athletic trainers, and becomes familiar with locally relevant statutes, rules, and regulations.
Health Care Administration Explains the advantages and disadvantages of the various commercial software programs and technologies used by a certified athletic trainer (statistical, educational, injury record keeping).
Health Care Administration Explains the computer needs of an effectively operated athletic training facility.
Health Care Administration Describes the various types of insurance policies (health maintenance organization [HMO], preferred provider organization [PPO], fee for service) and the procedures for filing health care insurance claims.
Health Care Administration Identifies the common insurance benefits and exclusions identified within health care insurance policies.
Health Care Administration Uses accepted medical terminology and abbreviations (SOAP, CPT, and HCFA coding).
Health Care Administration Explains the components of the budgeting process, including purchasing, requisition, and bidding.
Health Care Administration Illustrates the basic architectural considerations that relate to the design of a safe and efficient clinical practice setting.
Health Care Administration Describes the duties of personnel management, including (1) recruitment and selection of employees, (2) retention of employees, (3) development of a policies and procedures manual, and (4) employment performance evaluation.
Health Care Administration Lists the components of a strategic plan using a model that helps in the development of a vision and mission statement and in the analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT).
Health Care Administration Identifies the principles of recruiting, selecting, and employing physicians and other medical and allied health care personnel in the deployment of athletic health care services.
Health Care Administration Interprets the role and function of nondiscriminatory and unbiased employment practices, which do not base decisions on race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, or age.
Health Care Administration Describes typical community-based emergency health care delivery plans, including communication and transportation systems.
Health Care Administration Recognizes and appraises emergency action plans, which include on-site care, notification of emergency medical services (EMS), location of exits, and other relevant information, for the care of acutely injured or ill individuals.
Health Care Administration Identifies the typical availability, capabilities, and policies of community-based emergency care facilities and community-based managed care systems.
Health Care Administration Interprets the typical administrative policies and procedures that govern first aid and emergency care, such as those pertaining to parents/guardians, informed consent, media relations, incident reports, and appropriate record keeping.
Health Care Administration Identifies the basic components of a comprehensive athletic injury emergency care plan, which include (1) personnel training, (2) equipment needs, (3) availability of emergency care facilities, (4) communication, (5) transportation, (6) activity or event coverage, and (7) record keeping.
Health Care Administration Assembles an emergency action plan for all settings that includes on-site care, notification of EMS or appropriate personnel, and location of exit and evacuation routes.
Health Care Administration Selects sideline emergency care supplies and equipment that are necessary and appropriate for the setting.
Health Care Administration Summarizes basic legal concepts--such as, but not limited to, standard of care, scope of practice, liability, negligence, informed consent, and confidentiality--as they apply to a medical or allied health care practitioner's performance of his or her responsibilities.
Health Care Administration Describes federal and state infection control regulations and guidelines as they pertain to the prevention, exposure, and control of infectious disease.
Health Care Administration Lists the components of a comprehensive risk-management plan that addresses the issues of security, fire, electrical and equipment safety, emergency preparedness, and hazardous chemicals.
Health Care Administration Describes the necessary communication skills for interaction with physicians, allied health care providers, caretakers, and others who work closely with the certified athletic trainer.
Health Care Administration Formulates a plan to promote the profession of athletic training and those services that certified athletic trainers perform in a variety of employment settings, such as high schools and colleges, professional and industrial settings, and community-based health care facilities.
Health Care Administration Differentiates the roles and responsibilities of the certified athletic trainer and other medical and allied health personnel to provide care to athletes and others involved in physical activity.
Health Care Administration Identifies contemporary personal and community health issues and the commonly available school health services, community health agencies, and community-based psychological and social support services.
Health Care Administration Describes the role and function of various community-based medical, paramedical, and other health care providers.
Health Care Administration Describes the roles of various personnel in the organization of activity sessions and methods of instruction for athletes and others involved in physical activity.
Health Care Administration Explains the protocol and governs the referral of patients to medical or paramedical specialists and other health care providers.
Health Care Administration Describes the basic components of organizing and coordinating a drug-testing and screening program.
Health Care Administration Locates and interprets current banned drug lists that are published by various governing athletic associations (NCAA, U.S. Olympic Committee [USOC], International Olympic Committee [IOC], etc.).
Health Care Administration Identifies the current developments, missions, objectives, and professional activities of other allied health and medical organizations and professions.
Health Care Administration Understands the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Code of Professional Practice and the NATA Board of Certification (NATABOC) Standards of Professional Practice.
Health Care Administration Understands how to locate Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accreditation standards, and recognizes their impact on the educational system.
Health Care Administration Describes the relationship between the NATA, NATABOC, National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), and Joint Review Committee-Athletic Training(JRC-AT)/CAAHEP.
Health Care Administration Identifies the roles and responsibilities of allied health care personnel in providing services to athletes and others involved in physical activity.
Health Care Administration Develops a plan/drawing of a safe and efficient health care facility.
Health Care Administration Develops a risk-management plan that addresses issues of liability reduction, security, fire, facility hazards, electrical and equipment safety, emergency preparedness, and hazardous chemicals (manufacturer safety data sheets [MSDS]).
Health Care Administration Develops a policies and procedures manual for a health care facility that meets the guidelines set forth by the accrediting agencies.
Health Care Administration Demonstrates the ability to access medical and health care information through electronic media.
Health Care Administration Uses appropriate medical documentation to record injuries and illnesses (client encounters, history, progress notes, discharge summary, physician letters, treatment encounters).
Health Care Administration Demonstrates the ability to organize a comprehensive patient-file management system that uses both paper and electronic media.
Health Care Administration Develops an operational and capital budget based on a supply inventory and needs assessment.
Health Care Administration Appreciates the roles and responsibilities of medical and allied health care providers, and respects the systems that each provider works within.
Health Care Administration Appreciates the roles and functions of various medical and paramedical specialties as well as their respective areas of expertise in the acute care of injuries and illnesses to athletes and others involved in physical activity.
Health Care Administration Appreciates the importance of an emergency action plan that is tailored for a specific venue or setting.
Health Care Administration Accepts the value of a common medical language and terminology to communicate within and between the health professions.
Health Care Administration Accepts the professional ethical, and legal parameters that define the proper role of the certified athletic trainer in the administration and implementation of health care delivery systems.
Health Care Administration Appreciates the roles and relationships between the NATA, NATABOC, NCCA, and JRC-AT/CAAHEP.
Health Care Administration Recognizes and accepts the need for organizing and conducting health care programs for athletes and other physically active individuals on the basis of sound administrative policies and procedures.
Health Care Administration Accepts the responsibility for completing the necessary paperwork and maintaining the records associated with the administration of health care programs.
Health Care Administration Respects the roles and cooperation of medical personnel, administrators, and other staff members in the organization and administration of athletic training service programs.
Health Care Administration Recognizes and accepts the importance of good public relations with the media (radio, TV, press), the general public, other medical and allied health care personnel, and legislators.
Health Care Administration Recognizes the certified athletic trainer's role as a liaison between athletes, physically active individuals, caretakers, employers, physicians, coaches, other health care professionals, and any individual who may be involved with the care provided by the certified athletic trainer.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Compares and contrasts the role and function of state athletic training practice acts and registration, licensure, and certification agencies.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Explains the basic legislative process for the implementation of practice acts for athletic trainers.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Defines the rationale for state regulations that govern the practice of athletic training.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Describes the consequences of violating federal and state regulatory acts.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Outlines the process of attaining and maintaining an athletic training professional credential.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Describes the role and function of the governing structures of the NATA.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Is able to access the professional objectives, scope of practice, and services of other health care providers.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Properly interprets the role of the certified athletic trainer as a health care provider, and provides information regarding the role of the certified athletic trainer to athletes, others who are physically active, parents/guardians, athletic department personnel, and others.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Demonstrates the ability to construct a resumé.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Demonstrates the ability to access the policy-making and governing bodies that regulate the certified athletic trainer (state regulatory boards, NATA, NATABOC).
Professional Development & Responsibilities Appreciates the need for and the process and benefits of athletic training regulatory acts (registration, licensure, certification).
Professional Development & Responsibilities Realizes that the state regulatory acts regarding the practice of athletic training vary from state to state.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Understands the consequences of noncompliance with regulatory athletic training practice acts.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Accepts the professional, historical, ethical, and organizational structures that define the proper roles and responsibilities of the certified athletic trainer in providing health care to athletes and others involved in physical activity.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Defends the moral and ethical responsibility to intervene in situations that conflict with NATA standards.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Accepts the function of professional organization position statements that relate to athletic training practice.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Respects the roles and responsibilities of the other health care professions.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Appreciates the dynamic nature of issues and concerns as they relate to the health care of athletes and others involved in physical activity.
Professional Development & Responsibilities Defends the responsibility to interpret and promote athletic training as a professional discipline among allied health professional groups and the general public.