Athletic Training

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Faculty

Assistant Professors

• Vince Diller, DHSc, ATC, Department Chair
• Steve Sylvester, D.P.T.
• Cori Thompson MS, ATC, LAT, CSCS, NASM-PES

Mission

Within a framework of Christian principles, the mission of the Department of Athletic Training is to develop exceptional clinical practitioners who recognize their role as healthcare professionals and the value of ongoing service to their community.

The Athletic Training major at PBA culminates in the successful completion of a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Exercise Science. The program is designed to provide the student with knowledge of the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries and medical conditions; organization and administration needs of a sports medicine facility; professional responsibilities and service; and preparation for the Board of Certification (BOC) national examination. Students will not only learn to become competent athletic trainers, they will explore how their faith influences their practice as a healthcare professional in the classroom,  laboratory settings and a variety of clinical rotations. The ATR major consists of a one-year Observation Phase and a three-year Professional Phase also called the Athletic Training Program (ATP).

Accreditation Status

The Athletic Training Program at Palm Beach Atlantic University is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program has been placed on Probation as of February 19, 2016 by the CAATE, 6850 Austin Center Blvd., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78731-3101 relating to student outcomes. A plan is being implemented to bring the program into compliance by the February 2017 review.

Admissions Criteria

Applications for fall admission into the ATP are due by March 1. Certain criteria must be met in order to be eligible for the ATP. The requirements are as follows:

Prerequisites

1. Earn at least a “C” in the following courses:
   • ATR 1001 - Principles of Athletic Training  
   • ATR 1003 - CPR and First Aid   
   • ATR 2013 - Introduction to Athletic Training  
   • BIO 2283 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I  (with lab, BIO 2281 ) 
2. Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and an athletic training core GPA of 2.75 or higher. 

Application Process

Please complete and submit the following items. All forms are available from the Program Director.

• An Application form.
• An official or unofficial copy of your transcript(s).
• Three (3) recommendation forms.
• A one-page essay stating why you want to become an Athletic Trainer and how you will contribute to the ATP.
• Documentation of observation experiences. See below for observation requirements.
• A signed Technical Standards form.
• Complete a successful interview with the ATP Admissions Committee. This laststage of the application process is held at the end of each spring semester.

*Admission into the ATP is a competitive process. Meeting each of the above listedrequirements does not guarantee admission into the ATP. A point system based partially on the aforementioned criteria is utilized to score the students throughout the application process. Up to the top 12-16 scoring students may be accepted into the ATP. Candidates are informed of their entrance status by letter or email following the interview.

Pre-Enrollment

Students accepted into the Professional Phase of the ATP must complete the following before beginning clinical rotations:

1. Evidence of Bloodborne Pathogens training, First Aid training and either American Red Cross’s CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer, American Heart Association’s BLS, or other approved certification.
2. A signed Agreement of Understanding of the ATP Handbook and of the ATP’s Policy on Practice of Clinical Skills.
3. Physical examination, medical history and immunization record on file with PBA Health & Wellness. Students must be cleared for participation in all university activities.
4. Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccinations are required for students living on campus, and are highly recommended for all ATSs prior to enrollment. The vaccinations are available in the Health & Wellness Center at the student’s cost (approximately $77 for each of three vaccinations). If the student declines the HBV vaccination, he/she must sign a waiver prior to enrollment in clinical rotations. Waivers are available from Health & Wellness. Additionally, students must have DTP/TDaP/Tetanus, MMR, and a Mantoux (completed in the prior year) in order to begin off-campus clinical rotations.

Clinical Rotations in the ATP

Freshman — Students at this level are not yet officially accepted into the ATP, as this occurs through a competitive admissions process. This year serves as an observation year, with students taking introductory coursework and completing observation hours in the PBA Athletic Training Clinic. Students are encouraged to formally apply to the ATP during the second semester of the freshman year.

Sophomore — Sophomore-level students who are accepted into the professional phase of the ATP have met specific prerequisites and begin their rotations. Throughout each of the fall and spring semesters, sophomore athletic training students (ATS) are assigned three-five week rotations with a preceptor on-campus or off-campus, and/or physician observation in clinic and surgery. Relates to courses ATR 4101 and ATR 4021.

Junior — Each junior-level ATS is assigned to a preceptor each semester, with additional responsibility given in working with specific patient populations (i.e.—women’s soccer student-athletes in fall, baseball student-athletes in spring). Relates to courses ATR 4031 and ATR 4041.

Senior — Seniors are assigned to preceptors off-campus at a local high school or university primarily for experience with football student-athletes during the fall semester, and to preceptors in an outpatient rehabilitation center and general medical clinic in the spring semester. Relates to courses ATR 4051 and ATR 4061.

Costs of the ATP

In addition to university tuition and fees (see PBA website for updated costs), students are required to pay laboratory fees for ATR 1003 - CPR and First Aid , ATR 2013 - Introduction to Athletic Training , and science laboratory courses BIO 1101 - Biology I Laboratory , BIO 2281 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory , and BIO 2291 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory . Students are also be required to pay course fees in ATR 4101 , 4031 , 4051 .

Students will be responsible for providing their own transportation to all clinical sites.  Students will also be required to pay $99 for fingerprinting, background check, and drug screening in order to be assigned to a Palm Beach County School District secondary school.  The renewal fee is $6 each year.

Furthermore, health-related costs (vaccinations, immunizations, physical examination, etc.) will be the responsibility of students and their health insurance providers. Additionally, students must show proof of completion of Hepatitis B series or waiver. Students assigned to off-campus clinical rotations must also show proof of DTP/TDaP/Tetanus, MMR, and completed Mantoux test within the past year.

Students are responsible for clothing costs in accordance with the ATP dress code, including shoes, shirts, and pants/shorts. PBA ATP polo shirts cost approximately $27 each, and t-shirts cost approximately $12 each. A polo shirt is paid in part by Field Experience course fees. 

The ATP strongly encourages all students to maintain student-membership in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association (SEATA) and Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida (ATAF) – annual student-member fees are $60 for new student-members and $80 to renew.

Curriculum in the Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP)

Course content within the ATP has been structured to meet the competencies and clinical integration proficiencies developed by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Executive Committee for Education, as well as the domains defined by the Board of Certification Practice Analysis. As with all ATPs, the student will not be able to practice athletic training upon completion of the degree. Rather, the athletic training student will be eligible and prepared to sit for the national Board of Certification (BOC) exam.

Observation Requirements

Pre-athletic training students must document at least four clinical observation experiences from any of the approved sites with which the ATP has an affiliation agreement (including on-campus).The four required clinical observation experiences must each include different sport exposures, patient populations, and/or clinical settings. Prior to observing, students must complete bloodborne pathogens training and sign a confirmation of agreement for the ATP’s policy on practice of clinical skills. Please see the Program Director for a current list of sites and observation documentation.

Retention Policy

Once the student is unconditionally accepted into the program, he/she must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5, a core GPA of 2.75 and a “C” or better in each core class, to remain in good academic standing. Program academic probation will result if a student does not meet these requirements. Once a student is placed on Program academic probation, he/she must successfully work to meet these requirements within the next semester, or be subject to suspension from the ATP for one semester. The student must then reapply for admission to the ATP.

Transfer Students

Transfer students will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Interested students should contact the Program Director as soon as possible.

Programs

• Athletic Training with a Concentration in Exercise Science, B.S.

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