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  Are these protocols outdated, or do they need to be reviewed to determine if they are in line with current documentation?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!
 

History in the Making

Happy National Athletic Training Month to all my fellow athletic trainers!
This blog is just a quick history by the numbers... Just a little something to remind us all of where we started.  You can't know where you're going unless you know where you came from 😀

1917- The first major text on athletic training, and the care of athletic-related injuries "The Trainer's Bible" by S. E. Bilik, was written.
1920- Cramer launched their first line of products used by athletic trainers.
1950- The National Athletic Trainers Association was founded.
1959- The first athletic training curriculum was approved by the NATA.
1969- The NATA Board of Certification was created to establish a certification process for entry-level athletic trainers.
1982- By this time, there were 9 approved athletic training curriculums at the undergraduate level.
2003- The Joint Review Committee took over the process and became an independent accrediting agency.
2013- Today our profession has grown into many non-traditional roles that still adhere to the six domains of athletic training.  We continue to produce knowledgable professionals who genuinely care for our athletes, patients, and students like family.

Take the rest of the month to look back on the profession's history.  Let's remember to take pride in all we've come from, learned, and produced.  I challenge everyone to think of one person who helped mold you into the athletic trainer you are today, and take a quick minute to express your gratitude.  We all know a little "thank you" goes a long way with us! 😀

National Athletic Training Month 2013! #AT4EveryBody #NATM2013

Happy National Athletic Training Month 2013! Every Body Needs an Athletic Trainer!

Springtime is one of the busiest times of year for a secondary school athletic trainer so it’s nice to take some time to remember why we love what we do.  I was recently out on maternity leave and was given time to truly see why I decided to be an athletic trainer. 

I work with a wonderful athletic trainer that made sure I did not feel any guilt or have any worries while I was out and he took over all of my work duties.  I am very grateful to be able to work with someone like this that was constantly reminding me that my family came first, he worked extra taking care of all of our athletes and still made time to come visit my family and wish us well while I was out.  You see it’s what athletic trainers do; they take care of each other because every body needs an athletic trainer.

I also get to work with great student athletes.  For example, while out on leave a student athlete that I had spent many hours over the last two years working with in rehabilitation from two different surgeries contacted me, begging that I attend the last home game of the season and her senior night.  I was so touched that she wanted me there to watch her compete in her last home game, but just before the game she publicly thanked me over the loud speakers for helping her return competition.  I did all I could not to tear up! We work each day as athletic trainers never expecting a thank you and when you receive one, in that manner, it’s the greatest feeling especially when you get to watch them achieve their goals after sitting out so long. We get the opportunity to help an athlete through tough times, we push them physically, mentally and emotionally to help them get back to sport and activity that they love, seeing them return is really the only thank you we need! Student athletes need athletic trainers; every body needs an athletic trainer.  

I work with crazy and fun coaches. My office door is always open (whenever I am actually in it) and one of my favorite things when a coach steps in just to vent a little or a lot.  As athletic trainers we are often to sounding board and safe spot for coaches to vent about a rough day, hard fought loss, frustrating athlete or anything else on there mind.  Coaches need athletic trainers, every body needs athletic trainers.

I get to work with an awesome nurse. At our school the nurses and athletic trainers try to work closely with each other to provide care for all of the students and staff on campus.  We try to use each others strengths in different situations; we are called in most emergencies and for musculoskeletal injuries and all concussions that occur on campus.  So the student body needs athletic trainers, the nurse needs athletic trainers, every body needs athletic trainers.

I love being an athletic trainer, working with a variety of people and caring for variety of different needs. 

Share why you love your job and why every body needs an athletic trainer #AT4EveryBody #NATM2013