First Aider Injury Management Policy
Athletic training students (ATS) will be involved with a variety of clinical assignments during their progression through the athletic training education program at Anderson University. Clinical assignments are an ideal environment for ATS to gain knowledge and experience relating to athletic training, including the practice and refinement of clinical skills and professional bearing. During these clinical assignments, students will be assigned to an approved clinical instructor (ACI) or clinical instructor (CI). It is the job of the ACI/CI to provide direct supervision of the ATS, where the ACI/CI should be able to physically intervene on behalf of the athlete at any time. Students will not be placed in a situation where there is no ACI/CI present, since students should not replace the role of staff in the coverage of athletics. It is the expectation of the Anderson University Athletic Training Education Program that the ACI/CI take this role in the clinical education of students seriously by maintaining constant direct supervision of the ATS during the clinical assignment.
Athletic training students at Anderson University are certified in Emergency Response and CPR for the Professional Rescuer (with AED). The focus of the ATS during the clinical assignment is education. ATS are allowed to perform athletic training clinical skills only under the direct supervision of an ACI/CI. Since the ATS is assigned to the ACI/CI, students are expected to maintain their presence with that ACI/CI, no matter their location (on the field, in the Sports Medicine Center, at the doctor’s office, etc.). If a situation should occur where the ACI/CI is not present, the ATS must understand that they are voluntarily acting as a first aider in such situations, and they must only perform those tasks that fall under the Emergency Response and CPR for the Professor Rescuer credential. These tasks include conducting a brief history and initial assessment, application of splints if necessary, referral of the injured athlete to appropriate medical help, and the application of ice bags. The ATS acting in this capacity is strictly voluntary. Refusal of the ATS to act as a first aider will not reflect their clinical course grade or standing in the program. Please refer to the First Aider Contract for further details.