INTRODUCTION
 
Athletic training is a part of the Sports Medicine profession that may require many hours of total
dedication, hard work, self-discipline, and work.
 
The NATABOC certified athletic trainer, ATC, is a highly educated, trained and skilled
professional whose specialty is in athletic heath care. The ATC is recognized as an Allied Health
Professional. As a sports medicine expert and member of the complete health care team, the
ATC works under the direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care
professionals and sports team members. The ATC is skilled and knowledgeable in 6 areas,
known as the six domains of athletic training;
· Prevention of athletic injury
· Clinical evaluation and diagnosis
· Immediate care
· Treatment. Rehabilitation, and reconditioning
· Organization and administration
· Professional development and responsibility
 
 
The purpose of this manual is to identify the operating policies and procedures for athletic
training students within the Sports Medicine Department at Alcorn State University. This
handbook is not all encompassing nor does it have all the answers. Questions should be directed
to either the Sports Medicine Department or Athletic Administration. As a part of this program,
you agree to abide by the rules and regulations set forth in this handbook. Failure to follow
policies or directions of the Head Athletic Trainer, Athletic Administration, or team
physicians(s) may result in suspension or separation from the program. This decision is made by
the Athletic Training Staff and Athletic Administration.
As a student athletic trainer you have certain responsibilities, your decisions should be extension
of the sports medicine department’s policies and procedures. However, the staff athletic trainers
are ultimately responsible for the health and well being of the athletes and the operation of the
athletic training room.


PHILOSOPHY

Mission Statement
 
It is the mission of the Sports Medicine Department to provide reasonable medical coverage for
all student-athletes who compete in intercollegiate athletics at Wayland Baptist University. In
addition to providing medical coverage for student-athletes, it is also the mission of the Sports
Medicine Department to facilitate functional and educational development of the athletic training
student through hands on experiences.
 
General Policy Statement
 
The athletic training staff will operate within the guidelines outlined in the Wayland Baptist University Sports Medicine Department Policies and Procedures Manual, the NCCAA Sports
Medicine Handbook, the NAIA Manual, and the SAC Conference Guidelines. At all times,
the welfare of the student-athlete will be of utmost priority in the actions of the sports medicine
staff.
 
All medical decisions are made under the direct supervision of the Wayland Baptist University team or treating physicians and the athletic training staff.
 
The athletic training staff is expected to perform designated functions necessary to provide an
operational sports medicine program. In addition, the athletic training staff will do whatever is
possible to insure all standards are met within the Department of Athletics.
The Wayland Baptist University athletic training staff will not discriminate in providing any services to any student-athlete regardless of race, sex, religion, or other legally protected class.


GENERAL RULES

1. Do not sit on the desks, tables, cabinets, or medical kits.
2. All dressing will be done in the student room inside of Athletic Training Room/ATR.
3. Arrive promptly when you are scheduled to be ATR.
4. No one, except athletic trainers and athletic training students are allowed in the supply room.
5. Do not let an athlete perform self-treatment.
6. Cell phone use is allowed for professional use only during practice and games.
7. Watch for and call attention to dangerous situations.
8. Do not play with equipment at practice.
9. Memorize emergency procedures so that in any situation, you are able to react automatically.
10. Do not administer treatment to yourself during your scheduled work hours.
11. Do not dispense medications without ATC’s direction.
12. Only Wayland Baptist University athletes associated with a team are to receive treatment, rehabilitation, preventative techniques, and wound care.
13. Do not give scissors to athletes to cut equipment.

 
PERSONNEL
 
Head Athletic Trainer: Report to athletic director. Direct the health care program of
intercollegiate athletics including prevention, emergency care, evaluation, and rehabilitation of
athletic injuries and illnesses. Responsible for operating the training and rehabilitation facilities,
supervising the training of all student-athletes, and coordinating the prevention and treatment of
athletically-related injuries to student-athletes, supervising athletic trainer student assistants on daily basis.
 
Assistant Athletic Trainer: Report to the head athletic trainer. Responsible for providing health
care to assigned sports, daily practice coverage, home game coverage, and travel with the teams
for away games. Responsible for assisting the Head Athletic Trainer with daily operation of
ATR. Other duties as assigned by the Head Athletic Trainer.
 
Duties and Responsibilities of ATC’s:
 
· Directs and supervises the operations of the athletic training room, to include developing
necessary procedures and schedules.
 
· Confers with the team physician to ensure proper evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation
of injured student-athletes.
 
· The Head Athletic Trainer is to supervise assistant athletic trainers, and athletic training
students.
 
· Submits budget requests for ATR operations. Coordinates the purchase of all supplies
and equipment, and ensures efficient and economical methods of purchasing supplies and
equipment.
 
· Follows NAIA, NCCAA Rules and Regulations and the NATA Code of Ethics. Remains current on all state and national requirements for license renewal.
 
· Performs other duties and special projects as requested and assigned by the Athletic
Director.
 
· Comply with and establish a line of communication among parents, physicians, athletes,
and coaches.
 
 
Athletic Training Student Assistants: Reports to Athletic Training Staff. Responsibilities include
assisting in the prevention, treatment, evaluation and rehabilitation of athletic injuries, daily
practice and home game coverage, possible away game coverage for assigned sports, and
maintenance of ATR.
 
Duties:
· Attend all practices and home games (and away games) as assigned.
 
· Assist in administering treatment and rehabilitation to athletes.
 
· Assist in the maintenance of student athlete files.
 
· Assist in cleaning of ATR.
 
· Restocking of medical supplies and tapes in ATR
 
· Set up field with necessary medical equipment and supplies.
 
· Break down field, clean all coolers and water bottles after practice and games.
 
· Adhere to policies and procedures outlines in the athletic trainer student assistants handbook.
 
· Uphold all NAIA, NCCAA and SAC Conference Rules and Guidelines.
 
· Maintain confidentiality of athletes and medical conditions.
 
 
RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS
 
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Laundry

Towels, pillow cases, bandages, etc: drop-off, pick-up, and fold.

• Restocking

Replenish supplies on tables and in cabinets daily. When getting supplies from the
storage room, make sure to use the oldest supplies first. Notify staff athletic trainer when the supplies in the storage are getting low.

• Cleaning

Maintain general cleanliness of table, whirlpools, cabinets, floors, machines, bottles, coolers, and equipment in ATR/wet room.

• Treatments

Assist as instructed.

• Practice preparation

Water coolers, injury ice, field setup, medical kit, etc.

• Practice skills

When ATR activity is slow, practice athletic training skills.
Ex) taping, wrapping, modality use

• At practice

 

• Keep water bottles off of the ground
• Face the field at all times
• Watch for and call attention to dangerous situations
• Avoid congregating in groups or sitting down at practice
• No cell phone use are allowed except professional use

 
*** Although these jobs may seem trivial, they are very important to the operation of the ATR. No
student will be asked to perform a job that a staff athletic trainer has not performed at sometime
during his/her career.
 
 
DEPENDABILITY:
 
 Dependability includes, punctuality, following directions, completion of
tasks as assigned, enforcing the rules of the ATR, asking for help if needed, asking questions if
not sure, and showing initiative.
 
DEDICATION:
 
You must be dedicated to your personal success in learning new athletic
training skills.
 
SINCERITY, HONESTY, LOYALTY AND INTEGRITY:
 
We work in an environment governed by many rules and requirements. Each student is responsible to ensure that rules are followed. As an athletic training student assistants you are in a very precarious position. You are undoubtedly friends with many of the athletes; you must not let this relationship affect your judgment.
 
FRIENDLINESS AND A SENSE OF HUMOR:
 
Are NECCESARY. As a staff, we all put in long hours.
 
PROFESSIONALISM
 
Please keep in mind that you are a representative of Wayland Baptist University Sports Medicine and Athletic Department. Your words and actions will have a direct reflection on the entire program. You are expected to act as a professional while at work. Excessive socializing, flirting and any other unprofessional behavior will NOT BE TOLERATED. You are also expected to act in a mature and responsible manner while away from the ATR.
 
There will be NO TOLERANCE for any athletic training student caught using or in the
possession of neither illegal drugs, nor will there be any consumption of alcoholic beverages
while on duty.
 
CONFIDENTIALITY
ALL information regarding an athletes’ injury or condition is strictly confidential. Unless
instructed by a supervising athletic trainer you are not to discuss information with anyone outside
of the ATR. All questions regarding an injury should be directed to the supervising athletic
trainer.
 
PUNCTUALITY
 
Tardiness will NOT BE TOLERATED. You will be on time (10 minutes rule) for work, practice,
games, and travel. DO NOT make a team wait for you under any circumstances. If you find
yourself in a situation that will cause you to be late for either ATR hours or practice/games, let
the staff athletic trainers know ASAP. Excessive tardiness without proper notification (3 or
more) will result in a suspension.
 
DRESS CODE
 
A neat clean personal appearance while working in the ATR is an important step in gaining the
respect of the athletes, coaches and the general public, and adhering to OSHA guidelines and
standards. You are required to wear a uniform that is both professional and functional as deemed
appropriate by the supervising athletic trainer. Please keep in mind when choosing your attire:
 
1. While working in the ATR or covering sports practice, you should wear Wayland Baptist University issued athletic training shirts, shirts with Wayland Baptist University logo, or
shirts that are neutral – no logos of other schools, brand name logos, etc.
 
2. Jeans will not be permitted in the ATR (except weekends). Black or khaki pants/shorts
should be worn while working. Athletic shorts, warm-up pants, and sweats may also be
worn, given that they are tasteful and are appropriate for the situation.
 
3. Keep in mind that your clothes should set you apart from the athletes.
 
4. You may be asked to act in an official capacity for the athletic training staff and therefore
should be prepared to make a good impression.
 
5. Your shoes should be comfortable and functional. You will be standing much of time you
are working, and you may need to run onto the field/court at any time. Clogs, sandals and
other non-functional shoes are NOT acceptable.
 
6. Game day attire will vary according to the sport and weather. Discuss the appropriate
attire with your supervising athletic trainer prior to game day.
 
7. Personal hygiene and appearance should be of the utmost importance, this includes
properly groomed hair, clean clothes, trimmed nails, etc.
 
 
PHONE USE
 
Phone use should be limited while at work. If we make it a rule for athletes not to be carrying on
personal conversations we need to be the example. Use professional manner when answering the
phone in the ATR. Take messages accurately and deliver them promptly to ATCs. A thorough
message should be included the name of the person it is for, the name of the person calling, time
and the date of the call, and the subject of the call.
 
As an athletic training student assistant you may have the opportunity to travel with your assigned team. If you are traveling without direct supervision, you will be considered a first responder. It is your responsibility to review with your athletic trainer the policies and procedures for travel.
 
Remember you are representing not only yourself, but your team and school, so conduct yourself
accordingly. You need to understand your limitations as first responders. DO NOT put yourself
in a position that may jeopardize you legally and/or ethically. Athletic training student assistants must follow their respective team guidelines when traveling with athletic teams.
 
ATSA’s travel without ATC is possible with an understanding of the tasks that they are allowed to perform. ATSA are allowed to travel to events in which the host institution provides an ATC on site to assist the ATSA should a situation arise that is outside the limitations of a first responder.
 
Wayland Baptist University ATSA are allowed to perform;
 
- Preventative taping
- Preventative stretching
- Immediate care of acute injuries following the Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation
principles.
- Application of ice packs to individuals free of contraindications
- Wound care utilizing OSHA procedures as outlined in annual workshops
- Documentation of the above tasks performed
 
 
SPORTS ASSIGNMENT
 
Men's Sports:                                     Women's Sports
Baseball (3)                                         Softball (2)
Basketball (3)                                      Basketball (2)
Cross Country (*)                               Cross Country (*)
Golf (**)                                             Golf (**)
Football (6-8**)                                  Dance (**)
Soccer (2)                                            Soccer (2)
Indoor Track and Field (2*)                Indoor Track and Field (2*)
Outdoor Track and Field (2*)             Outdoor Track and Field (2*)
Volleyball (2)
Wrestling (2)                                       Wrestling (2)
(Cheerleading) (**)
Total: 19 teams
Numbers in ( ) indicates the number of athletic student trainer assistants that cover the team. All the student
trainers report to ATC of the team. ATSA may need to cover several teams at the same time.
 
*the same student trainers will cover cross country, indoor & outdoor track and field.
**student trainers that cover football will be also responsible for cheerleading, dance and golf.
 
ATC SPORTS ASSIGNMENT & CONTACT INFORMATION
 
Head Athletic Trainer Scott Sloan, LAT – VB, M/WBKB, M/WWRST, BeaVB
Office: (806)291-3809
Cell: (432)955-8193
Email: sloans@wbu.edu
 
Carl Lira, MS, LAT – FB, M/W TF/XC, BSb, SB, M/WSOC
Office: (806)291-3803
Cell: (432)238-8274
Email: lirac@wbu.edu
 
Department of Athletics
Phone: (806)291-3780
Fax: (806)
 
Appendix I
 
PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM
 
Athletic Training, Pre-License
 
The Texas State Department of Health requests the completion of
the following courses as part of the requirements for students to sit
for the certification examination in Athletic Training:
· BIOL 3408 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 hrs
· BIOL 3409 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 hrs
· EXSS 1161 - Clinical Apprenticeship in Sports Medicine 1 hrs
· EXSS 1162 - Clinical Apprenticeship in Sports Medicine 1 hrs
· EXSS 2161 - Clinical Apprenticeship in Sports Medicine 1 hrs
· EXSS 2162 - Clinical Apprenticeship in Sports Medicine 1 hrs
· EXSS 3161 - Clinical Apprenticeship in Sports Medicine 1 hrs
· EXSS 3162 - Clinical Apprenticeship in Sports Medicine 1 hrs
· EXSS 4161 - Clinical Apprenticeship in Sports Medicine 1 hrs
· EXSS 4162 - Clinical Apprenticeship in Sports Medicine 1 hrs
· EXSS 2305 - Introduction to Personal and Community Health
3 hrs
· EXSS 3308 - Foundations of Athletic Training 3 hrs
· EXSS 3312 - Physiology of Exercise 3 hrs
· EXSS 3315 - Kinesiology 3 hrs
· EXSS 4308 - Advanced Techniques in Athletic Training 3 hrs
· EXSS 4309 - Therapeutic Modalities 3 hrs