I work at a new 4A high school with 9-11 grade and there is a situation arising on my campus that is like a fire storm, and we need fire trucks to put it out. For some reason athletic training has popped up on somebody's radar and they are aiming to control what we do.
Our district policy states that we provide services to UIL enrolled student-athletes and includes cheerleaders. (not fine arts)
We have been dealing with the whole, cheerleader and drill team issue for over a year (school opened in 2007). Well, now it has blown up. The drill team sponsor has gotten mad because she is not included. She claims that we are neglecting her kids and not recognizing them as "athletes" and not meeting their needs. She has gone as far as writing a letter to the principal and others telling them how we have refused treatments, and she goes further to say that if there was an emergency we would not assist. Our principal is worried and wants to make her happy.
So now it seems that they want to make a change to our district policies to have athletic trainers care for “all extra-curricular students” like drill, dance, flags, band,...etc.
We here at Springs are not into denying kids aid or treatments, we are just trying to follow what has been done all across the state for ages. Furthermore, we are just following what I understood to be District Policy. Taking on a whole new set of kids brings many headaches, like consent to treat issues, physicals. My advice to the school principal and personnel was that if they added a third "fine-arts" athletic trainer, there should be an increase in our budget and we wouldn't have any problems!
Please, I would like to know what you guys think on this situation.
Mayra Rodriguez, ATC, LAT
2 comments:
This is not a fun place to be in for anyone. In my opinion, you can do one of two things. One, you have to decide if this is an issue you are willing to charge up the hill and fight. If it is, then you have to pull in all the help you can or you will not win. Remember that there is strength in numbers. Two, if it is not worth fighting then you must set the terms and conditions of providing care for the dance, drill, band, etc. just like you do with all the other teams.
If you are going to fight this, start with getting your athletic director(s) involved. Explain the situation to him/her or them. Make them your ally and ask them to help you. Then communicate with other ATs in your district (I am assuming there are more) and let them know about the proposed district policy change. Get them involved in the fight...I am sure they would not be excited about new coverage responsibility. The third thing I would do is to go to the NATA website and download the appropriate coverages recommendations and use that to help you determine priority sport coverages. If you keep track of your hours per week, show what you are working right now and what you project the additional coverage would require you to work.
You may decide that it is not worth charging up the hill and fighting this war. If you do make this decision it does not mean you are giving up. You need to agree to provide care on your terms. Put responsibility on the teacher/sponsor. Make it a requirement to turn over all the required paperwork. Make her do all the collection of the paperwork and then give it to you to put on file. Remind the students that they are not eligable to participate without the completed paperwork. Explain the injury/treatment protocols for your school with regards to treatment, reporting of injuries, rehab & treatment times, etc. just like you do with any other group you provide care. Tell them your schedule and when they can come to you.
I have not had the major issue with this that you have had, but when I started here I made it clear that if the dance squad wanted any assistance from the athletic trainers then they would follow all the rules that the athletic teams follow. The sponsor did not want to give over the paperwork so I told her that I could not verify (sportsware database)if her student was indeed a student that we could treat (parental consent). The issue was dropped. Since then I have only been asked to provide emergency first aid assitance...which I was more than happy to be of assistance.
What ever you decide, you have to be 100% behind your decision so that you can be at peace with the outcome.
This is definitely a touchy situation as you never want to give the impression that somebody's child isn't receiving adequate attention.
I would echo a lot of what Jeff says, and offer this:
At my large 4A HS we cover cheer and drill team, but not band, flag or ROTC. While the latter are still active UIL activities, they do not wish to be covered under our "umbrella" that would require them to have permits, and physicals and other important forms on file with us. I will as Jeff said, be a first responder, but they are not covered under athletic insurance, and do not receive regular treatment in the Athletic Training Room.
All drill team girls must have a physical on file in the Athletic Training Room before participating just as any other athlete would. NO EXCEPTIONS! We are fortunate to have a drill team instructor that is very cooperative and compliant with UIL rules.
Write a letter of your own to the principal and outline our practice act, outline the requirements for your school's athletic insurance policy (if you have one), and outline the UIL regulations that these groups would be required to abide by before participation and coverage by an athletic trainer.
I do, however, really like the idea of a "fine arts athletic trainer" and believe that because these groups are so large it would be a great idea.
Maybe include a proposal of sorts that would include the cost/benefit of this third athletic trainer.
Good luck!
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