Athletic Training Program Policies and Procedures
Active Communicable Disease and Clinical Experiences
Athletic Training Students (ATS) with active communicable diseases are assessed on an individual basis. Consideration for allowing the ATS to proceed with patient contact is based on the safety of the ATS and the patient. The student will be removed from such contacts until the student is no longer contagious.
Bloodborne Pathogen, HIPAA and FERPA Training
Each ATS is required to successfully complete annual training on bloodborne pathogens, HIPAA, and FERPA. The curriculum is organized by the Athletic Training Program. Students must show competency of this material by completing a test. This is all done prior to beginning their fall clinical assignments. Students will be introduced to each site’s Exposure Control Plan during their orientation meetings prior to beginning the clinical rotation.
Competitive Admissions
All ATS complete an AT Candidacy Application after finishing KPE Introduction to Athletic Training and KPE 250 Prevention and Care of Sports Injuries. Refer to the UMaine Athletic Training Program website for more information on Application requirements. Application materials will be evaluated by the Program Director and Clinical Education Coordinator. Students who do not meet the requirements will have their packet reviewed by the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students and a plan will be formed to assist the student with their next step. Even though Candidacy applicants may meet all the criteria, they may be denied admission due to a limited number of seats (30 per cohort). Students may reapply for the next cohort if they are unsuccessful on their initial attempt.
Confidentiality
All ATS must adhere to the following Confidentiality Statement and to HIPAA Privacy rules. As a healthcare professional, it is the law that you withhold any information which you acquire either professionally or socially that is considered “professionally confidential.” This includes but is not limited to any information you hear in the clinical setting, physician’s office, locker rooms, or other. Information regarding a patient’s medical condition, treatment of this condition, or any other patient information that is not considered public information is not to be discussed with anyone other than your immediate supervisor. Please adhere to this policy, as a breach of confidentiality will lead to dismissal from any further clinical experience opportunities.
Dress Code
All ATS must dress professionally according to their setting. You are a healthcare professional and dressing the part is just one way of showing your professionalism.
- Do not wear hats in the clinical setting. Once outside you may.
- Shirts and shorts/pants must fit appropriately. If clothing is too tight, too loose, too short, or too long, you will be asked to change before continuing that day.
- Closed toe shoes.
- Physical appearance—hair, facial hair, tattoos, piercings—need to be professional and adhere to each site’s policies.
Inclement Weather
If classes are cancelled due to inclement weather, athletic training students are NOT to attend clinical experiences. Remember, clinical experience is a class and classes are cancelled in order to keep you safe by staying off the roads and sidewalks.
Incomplete Candidacy Application
No ATS can begin clinical experience rotations until the Candidate’s application is complete and approved.
Liability Insurance
The ATS are covered by malpractice liability insurance when the student is in a clinical experience through a clinical education course assigned by the Clinical Education Coordinator or Program Director. A copy of this form is available on request. Again, students are covered only when enrolled in Clinical Skills courses in session.
Observation Only
All students enrolled in KPE 100 Introduction to Athletic Training are available for OBSERVATION only. The prospective ATS has not had any formal training at this time and is unable to perform any athletic training skills to any patients during observations.
Probation
Probation is a time for the ATS to improve grades and/or behavior in order to continue in the Athletic Training program. Probation is typically a one-semester period when the student works toward a goal(s) established by the ATS and the Program Director. If the student does not meet goals, they will be dismissed from the program. If the student successfully meets the goals, they will return to the program with the understanding that the next infraction will lead to dismissal from the program.
Professionalism
A preceptor may feel an ATS is not presenting himself/herself within the scope of ATS professionalism. This could include language, personal presentation, or inappropriate relations, but is not limited to those. The preceptor will document the activity and meet with the Clinical Education Coordinator and/or Program Director to determine actions. Action may include probation or dismissal from the program.
Supervised Clinical Experience and Observations
Direct supervision is required at all times for ATS. This means the preceptor is available for immediate intervention if needed. An ATS in noncompliance of this will be warned one time and written complaint filed in the student’s academic file. More than one noncompliance will result in dismissal from the program.
Student and Faculty Grievance Policy and Procedures
University of Maine faculty can access procedures for processing a grievance via the Human Resource web page. ATS can access procedures for processing grievance via the UMaine Student Handbook web page.
Therapeutic Modality Use
ATS shall not use Therapeutic Modalities during Clinical Experiences prior to completing KPE 388 Therapeutic Modalities. This includes, but is not limited to estim, ultrasound, LASER, manual therapies, and mechanical traction.
If found in noncompliance, the student will be given a verbal warning and a written complaint will be filed in the student’s academic file. If repeated, the A TS may be dismissed from the program.
Transfer Student (Admissions Policy)
Students transferring to the UMaine Athletic Training Program must meet all Candidacy requirements. This includes documentation of completing KPE I 00 with a B- or better, show proof of a minimum of 10 observation hours, and 5 written reflections of these observations; KPE 250 with a minimum of B- or better and completed Skills Packet, Health Packet, Essay, or any other documentation listed in the Candidacy application. Once accepted into the program, the student must complete a minimum of 2.5 years (5 semesters) within the program in order to complete each Clinical Skills courses in sequence.
Work Study
ATS who qualify for federal work-study are encourage to utilize this funding. You cannot receive work-study funds while in a clinical experience associated with a clinical education course. ATS are reminded that neither work study nor outside employment is to interfere with educational requirements. The Office of Student Employment is responsible for disseminating the University of Maine’s Work Study Policy.
