Program Information and Objectives

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Athletic Training and Rehabilitation Sciences
Program Information and Objectives

Program Information and Objectives

The overall goal of the Athletic Training Program is to prepare graduates to apply a wide variety of specific health care skills and knowledge within each of the following domains: prevention, recognition and evaluation, management/treatment and disposition, rehabilitation, organization and administration, education and counseling, and research. To achieve this goal, a comprehensive curriculum has been designed to integrate formal classroom instruction and clinical education. The program prepares the graduate for:

Professional Interaction

To interact and communicate with others using a combination of communication and technological skills for a clear exchange of ideas and information.
These skills include: integrating different media in a variety of professional settings, using computers and other informational technology, using data, listening and comprehending the viewpoints of others, and effectively presenting information in oral and written formats.
Personal and Professional Decision Making
To use critical and creative thinking in solving problems, making decisions, and gaining new insights in both personal and professional decision making.
These skills include: clarifying and justifying assumptions, reasoning through implications and consequences, inferring and drawing conclusions, and evaluating the historical, cultural, social, political, and aesthetic impact on decisions.

Professional Ethics and Responsibility

To value the need for lifelong personal and professional development and mandate for ethical, responsible, and accountable professional practice or performance which includes a sensitivity and affirmation to protect human rights and values in an evolving technological society.

Professional Competence

To synthesize the body of knowledge of the discipline with the skills and abilities for an entry-level practice. This ability includes applying research findings to ensure currency in the practice and the advancement of theoretical knowledge and practice within a discipline.

Self-Reflection

To accurately discern the quality of one's skills, abilities, and health practices and use of the mind/body relationship to continue to improve overall abilities, physical health, self-esteem, and self-expression and to value one's responsibility for the development of a sustainable lifestyle.

The Athletic Training Education Program shall prepare graduates to

Use reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in athletic training courses and apply these skills for purposes of comprehension, discovery, enjoyment, debate, and clear exchange of ideas and information.
Understand numerical data and their applications to a variety of sports medicine-specific content and activities.
Value holistic health practice for self and others.
Demonstrate the confidence and the degree of knowledge, skills, and abilities for an entry-level athletic trainer.
Use computers and other technology to enhance communication, inquiry, problem-solving, and decision-making within athletic training.
Value the contribution of research to the advancement of theoretical knowledge and practice within athletic training.
Appreciate the need for lifelong personal and professional development and society's mandate for ethical, responsible, and accountable professional practice.
Use the body/mind relationship as a means of improving health and enhancing self-esteem and self-expression.
Use critical thinking to solve problems, make decisions, and gain new insights into both personal and professional domains.
Develop a sensitivity to the ethical issues and dilemmas created within an evolving, technological society and the need to respond in ways which affirm and protect human rights and values.
Provide leadership and organization in their tasks of developing or running athletic training healthcare services.
Educate others in the domains of athletic training (e.g., prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation) and in the profession itself.

An application to the curriculum as well as documentation of the requirements must be provided to the program director prior to admittance into the athletic training educational program. Applications are accepted in the spring only and will involve an interview process as well.

Clinical Education Opportunities

Technical Standards (pdf)

BOC Exam Results

Preceptors

Preceptors work with athletic training students to develop their clinical skills in a structured environment.

Adam Braxmeyer, PT, DPT, CSMT
Mathis Physical Therapy

Richard Foveaux, DC, MS, CSCS
JointFit Chiropractic & Sports Medicine Center

Luke Henry, PT, DPT, MDT, CSCS
Mathis Physical Therapy

Mindy Hoffman, MAT, ATC, LAT
Kansas State University
Assistant Athletic Trainer, Football & Golf

Jeff Kreuser, MS, ATC, LAT
Lafene Health Center
Athletic Trainer, Chester Peter Recreation Complex

Heather Patterson, ATC, LAT
Manhattan High School
Head Athletic Trainer

Nobu Takashima, MA, ATC, LAT
Kansas State University
Assistant Athletic Trainer, Cross Country, Track & Field

Matt Thomason, MS, ATC, LAT
Kansas State University
Head Athletic Trainer, Football

Keith Wright, MD
Stonecreek Family Physicians, LLP
Team Physician for Kanas State University; General Medical Rotation

Brandon Yoder, MLA, ATC, LAT
Kansas State University
Assistant Athletic Trainer, Men's Basketball & Equestrian

Liability Insurance Requirement

You will be required to carry liability insurance during your practicum experiences. It is required that copy showing proof of insurance is provided prior to your start in the athletic training practicum experience.

HPSO is an excellent company that also has very reasonable rates for students.

Follow the following steps to set up an account:

Professional liability insurance "get a quick quote"
Read about HPSO's Professional Liability Program

Make sure that you mark the following sections:

Student
Part-time
Recent graduate: NO

The cost of annually maintaining this liability insurance as a student is around $29 to $35 dollars.

Health Care Policies

Students applying for admission to the Athletic Training Program must meet specific health care policies. One such policy is that students must show proof of good health. A copy of a health physical examination must be submitted with the Athletic Trainingapplication for admission. A licensed physician must perform the physical examination. Students are responsible for all costs related to the physical examination, and are to use the physical examination form provided in the student application packet.

Students must also meet the technical standards for admission to the education program. Specific demands of the Athletic Training Program are described in the technical standards for admission. The physician conducting the health physical is to ascertain from his/her examination whether the prospective student is able to meet the writtentechnical standards of the program.

Prospective students must also show proof of at least the first immunization injection of the hepatitis B virus immunization series. Students will be responsible for the cost of the immunizations. Copies of the hep B immunization form will be kept in the student's folder and may be found in the application packet.

In addition to the previously mentioned health care policies, students who have contracted a communicable illness are required to follow the guidelines established by Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Lafene Student Health Center at Kansas State University. A list of contracted communicable diseases and actions that are enforced can be found in theCommunicable Disease Policy for the Athletic Training Program.

Should a student become ill or injured during the academic year, professional medical services are available at Lafene Student Health Center located on campus. All students at Kansas State University have medical benefits at the campus health facility paid through student enrollment fees.

Lastly, all students enrolled in the Athletic Training Program practicums must show proof of the purchase of student malpractice and liability insurance. The cost is the responsibility of the student and is usually under $40 for annual coverage.

Communicable Disease Policy (pdf)

Fair Practice Work Policy

Athletic Training students are not to serve in the capacity of a certified athletic trainer. Students are not to act in the capacity of managers or secretarial support staff. They are not to be asked or expected to perform duties that compromise their educational experience.

Once a student has successfully completed and been evaluated on an athletic training competency and/or clinical proficiency skill, he/she may begin to utilize these skills on a daily basis, under the supervision of the clinical instructor, during the field experience.

Students are allowed to hold part-time jobs provided they do not interfere with the clinical aspect of the program. Clinical education and field experiences take place primarily during the afternoons from approximately 1:30/2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. On occasion these may meet in the morning before courses are offered, depending on the practice schedules of the athletic teams that are included as part of the field experience. The program is very understanding that many students must obtain employment to make ends meet, but students must meet the requirements of the clinical courses.

Students are not paid for their participation in clinical and field experiences during the academic year. The non-payment of students in the program during the academic year is consistent with rulings from the Department of Labor.