Physical Examination RequirementEach student who applies to the AT Program must have a physical examination done by a MD/DO/NP/PA. The purpose of the physical examination is to verify that the student is able to meet the physical and mental requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation, of an athletic trainer. The physical and mental requirements are outlined by the Technical Standards for Admission document below.

Immunization Record Verification Requirement

Each student who applies to the AT Program must complete an Immunization Record Verification Form. This form documents that the student has a completed UNC Pembroke Immunization form on file in the Student Health Center. It further verifies if the student has completed the AT Program required immunizations, which include the Hepatitis B series and the Tuberculin skin test (within the past 12 months). Students who have not completed the Hepatitis B series are strongly encouraged to do so. If the student elects not to have this series of shots done, then he/she is required to complete a Hepatitis B Waiver form.

Technical Standards for Admission

Each student who applies to the AT Program must turn in a signed copy of the Technical Standards as part of their application packet. Students have two options in signing the technical standards:

1. Student signs that he/she understands the technical standards and can meet each of the standards without accommodation.
2. Student signs that he/she understands the technical standards and can meet each of the standards with certain accommodations.

If the student signs that he/she can meet the standards with certain accommodations, it is his/her responsibility to contact the Accessibility Resource Center to determine what accommodations may be available. The Technical Standards for Admission were updated in February 2006 to include the alternate statement of understand. The standards were reviewed and approved by the Director of what was then called Disability Support Services and the University Attorney in the spring of 2006.

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen

All students admitted to the UNCP Athletic Training Program will be required to complete a Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen, which must be completed PRIOR to placement at a clinical site. Sophomores (1st semester in the program) must complete the requirement in January as part of the program orientation, while juniors and seniors must complete the requirement in August of each year. ALL FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND DRUG SCREEN WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT. Students may be denied access to clinical facilities based on drug screening results or results which appear on a criminal background check. UNCP is NOT obligated to make special accommodations and will not find an alternative clinical site if a student is disqualified based on the site’s policy. Students that are not able to complete the clinical aspect of the program will NOT be able to satisfy the requirements of the Athletic Training degree which means that they will have to change their major.

Performance of Skills on Patients

Athletic training students must be officially enrolled in the clinical education portion of the AT Program and have been formally instructed and formally assessed on each athletic training skill as part of a required upper level athletic training course prior to performing those skills on patients. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the preceptor does not require the student to perform any skills for which that student has not had formal instruction and evaluation. Preceptors are educated as to the progression of the AT Program courses and the content of each course, however, the preceptor may inadvertently ask the student to perform a skill in which they have not yet demonstrated proficiency. It is extremely important for the ATS and the preceptor to understand that students should not be asked or permitted to perform a skill unless it has been documented that the student has demonstrated proficiency in this skill.

Communicable Disease Policy

The UNCP ATP has established a Communicable Disease Policy for athletic training students. This policy outlines specific diseases and protocols for reporting contact with or diagnosis of the diseases to program personnel. Any student who is suspected of being infectious will be referred to the Student Health Services for evaluation. Students are not allowed to perform clinical rotations while infectious and must provide the Clinical Education Coordinator with documentation of medical clearance before resuming clinical rotations. The policy is found in the ATS Handbook, Appendix G.

Bloodborne Pathogen Policy

As part of the orientation/training session each January, each student is required to complete formal bloodborne pathogen training which includes being educated on the Bloodborne Pathogen Policy. If a student does not complete bloodborne pathogen training, he/she may not be placed in the clinical setting, even if only for observations. Each student must also have access to and utilize appropriate bloodborne pathogen barriers and sanitary precautions. Students must also have access to appropriate biohazard disposal equipment and procedures at each clinical site. The policy is found in ATS Handbook, Appendix H.

Emergency Action Plans

Students must have access to a written emergency action plan for each clinical site. The EAP’s for the affiliated clinical sites are available in ATrack. The EAP’s, as well as the other athletic department policies, for UNC Pembroke are located in the UNC Pembroke Athletic Training Policy and Procedure Manual which is posted in ATrack. A hard copy of the Emergency Action Plans for all off-campus sites will be maintained in the Clinical Education Coordinator’s office.

CPR for the Professional Rescuer

Athletic training students are required to attend the CPR for the Professional Rescuer course offered by the AT Program as part of the training session in January of their 1st and 3rd years in the AT Program. If a student is unable to attend this training session, he/she must complete the CPR for the Professional Rescuer course at his/her own expense and provide the Clinical Education Coordinator with a photocopy of the card. Students will not be permitted to begin clinical rotations until they have provided documentation that they have completed the course.

Liability Insurance

Each athletic training student is required to purchase and provide the Clinical Education Coordinator with documentation of his/her own liability insurance coverage prior to beginning clinical rotations. The liability insurance is an additional cost associated with the AT Program and is the responsibility of each student. Liability insurance may be purchased through the Healthcare Providers Service Organization.

Confidentiality

The Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) requires that information regarding a student being kept private unless the student gives express written consent for their information to be released. The exception to this rule is university employees who need to know the information in order to perform the duties of their job. Medical records contained within a student-athlete’s medical file are subject to FERPA and therefore must be kept confidential. Information regarding a student-athlete’s participation status and type of injury may be shared only with the coaching staff who works directly with the student-athlete.

The ATS, through his/her clinical rotations, will have the opportunity to see and hear information that is confidential. It is imperative that the ATS does not discuss any athletic training matters with any one else. It is illegal to release information regarding the student-athlete to anyone other than the medical staff or coaching staff. The ATS is not allowed to share information regarding the participation status, type of injury, etc. of any student-athlete. The ATS is not permitted to photocopy any reports or give any information over the telephone regarding a student-athlete.

Each ATS is required to attend FERPA training provided by the university and sign a confidentiality statement during the AT Program Orientation Training when he/she enters the program. Failure to abide by this confidentiality policy can result in probation and/or dismissal from the AT Program.