How do you introduce yourself?

Earlier in the year, I had the opportunity to travel with one of my teams at the high school level for an out of town tournament. This is not something that is mandatory at my school, but I use this as an opportunity to gain a rapport with my coaches and athletes, but to also network with the host athletic trainer. After arriving at the gym for practice, the host athletic trainer introduced himself to my coaches. While my coaches were pleased to meet the host athletic trainer, they mentioned that they had a Licensed Athletic Trainer traveling with them. When I noticed from a distance who he was, I took it upon myself to go introduce myself. As I introduced myself with my name, and he did his, I was not too sure what he said his name was, so at the end of the conversation, I asked, “and what was your name again?” He replied back with, “Doc.”
 

WHAT?!?! I understand that a lot of athletic trainers are referred to as “Doc” but I was shocked when he introduced himself to another Licensed Athletic Trainer as “Doc”. Now had he of said, “My name is __________, but you can call me “Doc”, I would have found that a little more appropriate.
 

It was at this moment, when I realized that there are a lot of athletic training professionals that are still “old school”. I understand that the term “Doc” was widely used in the Athletic Training Profession years ago as a nickname, but a lot of athletic trainers are moving away from this term. I believe this term creates confusion for the athletes and parents because they think they are seeing a Doctor when the athletic trainer is referred to as “Doc.” But in this particular case, “Doc” was not referred to as a nickname, rather it was the way he introduced himself. After our brief conversation, I then went to my phone to look up the school’s website to find out what his real name was, which I should have learned in his introduction.
 

So as the school year comes to a close for most of us, attending Conventions and Symposiums is in our horizon. We encourage our colleagues to network with professionals and to always make good first impressions. Remember to introduce yourself accurately and appropriately. Not only are you representing yourself and your work place, but you never know who you will meet or get introduced to. 

Thank you's!

I just finished reading this month's issue of NATA News, and I have to say Jaimie Siegle and Ruth Riggan did fantastic jobs with their reports on both Capitol Hill Day and the Nomenclature issue. 
I think it is awesome that there are so many AT's out there willing to donate their precious time and effort to rally for us in Washington.  It seems as though the best way for our profession to push the envelope is through the PHYSICAL Act, and I hope that the legislation will move forward with this issue.  As a whole, I believe all of us AT's ultimately want one thing: safe and healthy athletes. 
A special thank you for all those AT's who took the survey that was sent out through NATA regarding “the name change” issue.  Because of you guys, the profession is armed with the knowledge it needs to move forward.  Although we will not be changing our profession's name in the near future, I think we have a better grasp on (1) state practice acts, (2) job conditions, (3) salary and reimbursement understanding.  Not only that, but according to the survey on public perception administered by MBA students at the University of Dallas, people actually know us and understand what it is we do!  Common misconceptions regarding our profession are quickly dissolving.  What exciting news! 
I, for one, think 2012 was an awesome year for Athletic Trainers, and I cannot wait to see how the rest of 2013 will turn out.  Thank you again to everyone for all of your hard work, keep it up! 
On a side note, if you have not read the article about NATA's new "Safe Sports School Award," I suggest you do that.  You can learn more or start the application process for your school by contacting NATA's Strategic Activities Department at sad@nata.org

AT's needed!!

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer event will be in Houston this coming weekend, April 20-21st and we are in need of more Athletic Trainer’s! If you are able to volunteer a day, afternoon, morning, or even a few hours of your time Saturday or Sunday to help with the Medical Crew please email me as soon as possible! A small group of us have volunteered for the last 5 years and we would love to expand the Athletic Trainer involvement on the route and at the medical village. The walker’s/participants know who Athletic Trainers are and continually seek us out to help fix their blisters and various orthopedic injuries year after year. J

We will be located at various “rest stops” along the route in the downtown area over the two days. I will provide you with the address/location of the rest stops upon contact. We mainly provide care for blisters, abrasions, occasional dehydration, minor strains and sprains. Avon will provide various medical supplies, however you might want to bring your scissors and kit.

If you are interested in helping out please don’t hesitate to email me! juliesuits@sheldonisd.com

Prayers

Thoughts and prayers go out to Ware's family and friends for the horrible injury he suffered in tonight's game.  A big thank you for the medical and hospital staff who responded so quickly to help this young man!

Spell Check People

As young professionals, we often find ourselves moving between jobs in order to find our "nitch,” or to have families, before we settle in for the long haul.  That means resumes.  Resumes, resumes, resumes.  Oh, and cover letters. 
Why in the world, as a candidate vying for a position, would you not triple check your resume and cover letter before sending it in?  Why would you not have a friend or family member do the same?  If your resume is full of grammatical and spelling mistakes, as well as formatting errors, then you do not look as professional on paper and someone who has their stuff together.  This could really hurt you, in that you could get passed on a phone or in-person interview.  Which means your could-be employer would never get to see how awesome you are off paper. 
I realize spell check does not always catch everything, which is why another set of eyes is the best bet.  Also, knowing when to use the proper forms of “their” “there,” and “they’re” is not only helpful when writing a resume, but also for communication in general.
Spell check!  It's there for a reason!

Bill of Rights

The Secondary School Student Athletes' Bill of Rights- Protecting America's Student Athletes
(As taken from this months' NATA News)
1. Student athletes have the right to be coached by individuals who are well trained in sports-specific safety and to be monitored by athletic health care team members.
Are your coaches CPR and first aid certified?  Are they aware when athletes are not taped/braced?  If a helmet is fitted properly?  
2. Student athletes have the right to quality, regular pre-participation examinations and each athlete has the right to participate under a comprehensive management plan.
Are there concussion management protocols in place at your school?  Are these protocols outdated, or do they need to be reviewed to determine if they are in line with current documentation?
3.  Student athletes have the right to participate in sporting activities on safe, clean playing surfaces, in both indoor and outdoor facilities.
4. Student athletes have the right to utilize equipment and uniforms that are safe, fitted appropriately and routinely maintained, and to appropriate personnel trained in proper removal of equipment in case of emergency.
Have the AED's, spine boards, and splints been routinely checked?  Are the student athletes practicing in outdated and hazardous pads and face masks?  Are the braces and sleeves we provide worn, and past the point of serving their intended purpose?  
5.  Student athletes have the right to participate safely in all environmental conditions where play follows approved guidelines and medical policies and procedures, with a hydration plan in place.
This is not just limited to football practices.  Are the swimmers practicing in a grounded pool, and do you have the documentation on file?  When you are unable to travel with the team, are you aware of the host school's policies and hydration plans?
6.  Student athletes have the right to a safe playing environment with venue-specific emergency action plans that are coordinated by the athletic health care team and regularly rehearsed with local emergency personnel.
If road or building construction will change the entry or exit for an emergency vehicle to the scene, is this something that is discussed before an event takes place?  
7.  Student athletes have the right to privacy of health information and proper referral for medical, psychological and nutritional counseling.
8.  Student athletes have the right to participate in a culture that finds "playing through pain" unacceptable unless there has been a medical assessment.
9.  Student athletes have the right to immediate, on-site injury assessments with decisions made by qualified sports medicine professionals.
10.  Student athletes have the right, along with their parents, to the latest information about the benefits and potential risks of participation in competitive sports, including access to statistics of fatalities and catastrophic injuries to youth athletes.
These statistics can be provided at pre-participatin exams, and/or in take-home tryout letters.  There are also posters and flyers that can be put up around the athletic facility.  Student athletes and parents should also be aware of the risks of taking medications without reporting them to the athletic health care personnel. 

These rights were adopted at the Annual Youth Sports Safety Summit Feb. 5-6 in Washington, D.C.  100 different organizations were represented at this summit to advocate the protection of our young athletes on Capitol Hill.  My comments are nearly meant to be suggestions and questions to help you look at these issues from a different perspective.  

Setting A Good Example- Conflict Resolution

The time of year for performance reviews/ evaluations is quickly rolling around.  Some of the biggest factors our supervisors look at across the profession are teamwork, communication, and how we deal with conflicts in the workplace.
Conflicts can arise at any time, over any situation.  We've all been there, and we've all fallen into the trap of thinking before we speak.  Next time you do not see eye-to-eye with a coach, athlete/patient, supervisor, etc. try to remember that their perception is so much different that your own. 
- Try to stay calm and breathe, remember to listen to everything they are saying, as well as sympathize with them.  You can understand without agreeing.  Plus the calmer and more rational you are in the situation, the less likely it is to escalate into a full-blown argument.
- Control your emotions and behavior.  Our peers feed off our negative energy and emotions.  Conversely, the same is true of positive energy... it can spread like wildfire!  Do not be afraid to ask for a time out, or to step away from the situation.  This shows a more mature way of handling the situation, and no one can fault you for that.
- Be aware of your differences.  Again, conflict often happens due to differences in perception.  What you may view as right/wrong or helpful/hurtful, someone may see as the opposite.  Trying to understand where they come from and their background may help shed some light on why they feel the way they do.
- Know when to let go, or let it roll off.  Not all battles are meant to be fought.  Be willing to forgive, and ask for forgiveness. 
- Be willing to compromise.  In this situation, neither party is getting what they want, but at least the situation is solved.  Sometimes a solution can even be "agree to disagree."
- One of the biggest things stressed in our profession is documentation.  If you find yourself working daily with a difficult person with whom conflict is a regular issue, document all of your interactions.  This will help cover your rear if it comes down to it.
Ask your co-workers for their opinion of your conflict resolution skills.  Do not be offended by what they have to say, as constructive criticism can only hurt if you let it.  Be willing to adapt and make the change if needed!