Clinical Assignment Policy
Athletic Training Students are assigned each semester to an Approved Clinical Instructor, at a specific site, to complete their programmed activity in a clinical assignment. Depending on the clinical assignment an Athletic Training Student may be required to begin their programmed activity prior to the start of semester classes, remain with their assignment during school breaks, and beyond the completion of a semester class. Athletic Training Students are expected to be prepared to remain during these times to fulfill their clinical assignment. The ATEP Director will notify the ATS of these expectations during the meeting with the ATS about their assignment. The ACI, ATEP Director and the Alma College Athletic Training Staff review exceptions.
Responsibilities and Expectation of the ATS within the Clinical Assignment
ATS meet with the ACI to develop a plan of objectives for the assignment and turn it in to the ATEP Director during the first week of the assignment. Include a list of proficiencies to be completed.
Punctuality: The ATS is expected to be on time for all their clinical experiences. It is up to the ATS to make sure the schedule is clear between them and the ACI. If the ATS has a conflict with the schedule the ATS is to contact the ACI in advance. If this issue becomes a consistent problem the ACI will contact the ATEP Director and a plan will be devised to resolve the situation.
Dress Code: Discuss with the ACI the dress code of the assignment. Each ACI and assignment will have its own requirements. The ATS is expected to follow the directions of the ACI. If needed the ATS is expected to provide additional clothing, at their own expense, to meet the requirements of each sites dress code.
The clinical assignment will take priority over any extracurricular activities i.e. Athletics, band, theatre, work, fraternities and sororities. You must have permission from your ACI to attend an extracurricular activity if it conflicts with the clinical assignment.
Travel Opportunities
Each clinical assignment may offer, not guaranteed, an ATS to travel with an Alma College athletic team. The ACI will meet with ATS to verify the student is prepared for the trip with verbal and written directions for the event. This would include any treatments to be completed and event responsibilities. In the event that the ATS travels without an ACI, the student is to act as a first responder as defined by the Alma College ATEP first responder policy. While traveling the ATS is required to abide by all rules set forth by the coach and ACI. The ATS is expected to act professionally at all time and not fraternize with the athletes or patients.
Transportation to Clinical Sites
Athletic Training Students who are assigned to off campus sites are responsible for their own transportation. At some time in the Athletic Training Program students will be assigned to an off-campus rotation. If they do not have a personal vehicle it is their responsibility to arrange for their transportation.
Liability Insurance during a Clinical Assignment
Students acting within the boundaries of their duties as an Athletic Training Student for Alma College are covered under Alma College’s blanket liability insurance policy. Any questions about the insurance policy should contact John Johnston in the Alma College Business Department.
Confidentiality During the Clinical Assignment
Information between the ATS and student-athlete or patient is confidential and is not to be discussed to anyone by the ATS other than anyone directly involved in the care of that individual. All conversations between the patients, student-athletes, coaches and administrators will be kept strictly confidential. Any breach of this policy will result in the ATS being reassigned to another experience and a copy of the incident placed in the ATS folder.
Code of Ethics
ATS are expected to conduct themselves in compliance with the code of ethics as described in the NATA, the Alma College ATS manual and the MIAA sports medicine committee.
Harassment and Discrimination
Any ATS who is found to be in violation of the Alma College policy will be expelled from the program. The ATEP will not tolerate any forms of Harassment or Discrimination. ATS should report any problems to their ACI or the ATEP Director.
Disciplinary Action
Any misconduct of the standards set forth in the ATEP will operate under the following disciplinary action:
| First Offense: | Written explanation to ATEP Director describing the reason for the infraction and an interview with the ATEP Director. Verbal warning and optional hours may be assigned. |
| Second Offense: | Personal interview with the ATEP Director and the Athletic Training Staff. Will result in a written warning and placed in the ATS file. |
| Third Offense: | Personal interview with the ATEP Director and the Athletic Training Staff. Suspension from the program is likely. |
Each ATS will begin each year with a clean record unless a major event or a continuing behavior occurs. The ATEP Director will contact the ACI on the decision of the committee in relation to their assigned ATS.
Any grievances will be addressed to the ATEP Director and a committee of the ATEP Director, Athletic Training Staff; Chair of the Exercise and Health Science Department will act on the appeal.
