The Essential ATC – Certified Athletic Trainer
Certified Athletic Trainers provided added training and expertise for athletes.
For coaches, athletic directors and anyone involved in running a school sports program, it is important to understand the qualifications of a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) when selecting the specialists responsible for caring for athletes at your events.
Do You Have a Certified Athletic Trainer Covering Your Events?
Not all trainers have the added training and expertise provided by an ATC. Certified Athletic Trainers must have a degree from an accredited curriculum and pass a comprehensive test administered by the Board of Certification. ATC’s expertise ranges from minor strains to catastrophic head injuries.
Certified Athletic Trainers have specialized training in:
- Prevention of injury
- Diagnosis of injury
- Intervention of emergency
What happens if an ATC is covering an event?
In case of an emergency during an event, the ATC will be first on the scene. Due to the extensive training ATC’s receive in emergency management, the best course of action will be taken for the athlete. This can range from escorting the athlete from the field and taping an ankle, to stabilizing a cervical spine while waiting for emergency personnel to arrive.
How Can ATC’s Benefit You?
- Help administer pre-participation physical exams
- Implement conditioning programs to reduce the risk of injury,
- Design and implement emergency action plans,
- Obtain and interpret environmental data to make appropriate recommendations for activity
- Educate coaches/parents on injury and illnesses (such as heat)
- Educate coaches/parents on nutrition to enhance physical performance
- Communicate risks regarding substance abuse
Who Do ATC’s Work With?
Athletic Trainers collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of athletes. ATC’s also work with coaches and parents to decide the best course of action for each individual athlete.
If you would like to learn more about having members of the Shasta Orthopaedics Sports Medicine Team at your event – including board certified Sports Medicine physicians and/or Certified Athletic Trainers – call Marcee Martinez, MPT or Amanda Visconti, ATC at 530/518-0322.