Experiential Learning I

Catalog description

This represents the initial opportunity for athletic training students to engage in the application of theory and foundational athletic training, knowledge, and skills through hands-on patient/client care experiences for 10-to-15 hours per week (150-to-225 total hours for the semester). This clinical experience increases student awareness for the role of the athletic trainer as an allied health care professional. Students become familiar with the daily operating procedures of an athletic training facility while being exposed to the culture of the profession. Students at this level are able to apply clinical skills under the supervision of preceptors. These clinical techniques consist of neuromusculoskeletal injury prevention/screening strategies, prophylactic taping/wrapping practices, and fundamentals of injury examination, acute care, and emergency response. Application of therapeutic agents is limited to those categorized as infrared (e.g. cryotherapy and superficial thermotherapy). Rehabilitation techniques applied are limited in scope to basic interventions that consist of administering range of motion and progressive resistance exercises, as well as elementary neuromuscular control techniques as prescribed by supervising preceptors. Exposure to documentation and record-keeping is also characteristic of this experience. Patient/client populations for this level are student-athletes participating in collegiate or secondary school sports.