Instruction of the Clinical Proficiencies
The Clinical proficiencies and psychomotor competencies are first introduced and instructed in the curriculum with EHS 221, First Aid and CPR and EHS 222 Principles of Athletic Training. Instructions of the proficiencies are based on the text, Assessing Clinical Proficiencies in Athletic Training by Dr. Ken Knight. The clinical proficiency matrix demonstrates the specific proficiency breakdown per course. The Alma College course instructor formally teaches, demonstrates, supervises skill practice, and evaluates ATS’s in proficiency skills for grade assignments initially. The ATS then has the opportunity to review, incorporate, and be evaluated on the proficiencies in the clinical education and field experiences by his/her ACI or CI. Students should demonstrate continual advancement in the application of proficiencies as they progress through the clinical rotations and eight Clinical Experiences. As the ATS progresses through the clinical education component of the ATEP, the ACI should be physically present at all times allowing the student to appropriately apply didactically acquired skills into the clinical. The ATS will be evaluated on two occasions during each clinical rotation, at mid-term and the completion of the assignment.
Evaluation of the Clinical Proficiencies
Each ATS has an individual folder containing clinical proficiency evaluation, completion records, course audit form and other materials. The folders are controlled and maintained by the ATEP Director, and copies of necessary materials are distributed to the ACI before each rotation. The proficiencies are taught in each of the didactic courses within the program. The ATS are assigned certain proficiencies at each level. The ATS is responsible to make sure the supervising ACI has evaluated and passed the ATS in that skill. The ACI completes the Evaluation checklist once the proficiency has been complete. The completion records are then updated with the ATEP Director.
Didactic Instruction and Evaluation
Members of the Alma College faculty and staff with academic load designations will introduce the Clinical Proficiencies in the curriculum. The ATS will be evaluated in these courses and during the four practicum courses. Every student must demonstrate a minimal level of performance in the evaluations and maintain a 2.5 GPA in the Athletic Training Major. The grades are kept in the ATS folder and in the registrar’s office.
The guidelines and descriptions of the proficiencies are based using the program in Dr. Ken Knight's book, Assessing Clinical Proficiencies. In addition, if there are questions about specific techniques, the ACI will discuss the problem with the ATEP Director and Alma College Athletic Training Staff.
Clinical Experience Instruction and Evaluation
All ACIs who are assigned an ATS must complete the designated clinical experience proficiencies and performance evaluations. The assigned supervising ACI monitors the ATS’s completion of the clinical proficiencies. Upon completion of the ATS rotation, the ACI returns all materials to the ATEP Director for review and placement into the clinical experience folder. Three essential documents are distributed each rotation to the ACI and the ATS. The first document is the clinical proficiency record/Checklist, second is the ACI clinical rotation performance evaluation forms and thirdly the ACI/CI evaluation forms by the ATS. As the ATS demonstrates proficiency skills the ACI evaluates the student’s performance and marks the clinical proficiency checklist appropriately.
The ACI must refer to the Ken Knight book when questions arise concerning the proper method of performing the involved clinical proficiency. Each ATS must complete the entire clinical proficiency record before moving on to the next level. These forms are completed two times during each clinical rotation by the ACI and the ATS. All ACI’s are required to review the manual and have knowledge of the manual and the skills described within, and will be expected to reinforce those skills within clinical experience rotations.
