Q: Previously, ACIs had to be credential for at least one year. I no longer see that listed in the 2012 Standards. Is that no longer required by CAATE? Can that be an institutional decision now?

There is no longer an ‘ ACI ’ designation or a requirement for the preceptor to be credentialed for a year. The program, however, should evaluate the newly credentialed healthcare professional’s ability to provide quality clinical education experiences for students in the program while they themselves are transitioning to practice.

Q: We have our student complete a surgical observation; do we need to have the students evaluate the site, the surgeon, both, or neither?

Standard 51 (2012 Professional Program Standards) states that all clinical education sites must be evaluated by the program on an annual and planned basis and the evaluations must serve as part of the program’s comprehensive assessment plan . The Standard does not indicate the types of evaluations that need to be performed. Educationally it may be appropriate to evaluate the site and the surgeon to determine if it is a worthwhile experience for the student.

Q: Standard 63 (2012 Professional Program Standards): By sending the students to apply ice on their own, is the Program Non-Compliant with Standard 63 since the AT is not “physically present” and does not “have the ability to intervene on behalf of the athletic training student and patient”? If this scenario is allowed under the Standard, when would this become non-compliant (what skill/task performed by the student or what question answered by the student would this situation then become non-compliant)?

The athletic training student must be supervised at all times, therefore, sending the student to perform athletic training services, including application of ice, on a patient would require the presence of an appropriately credentialed preceptor (e.g. licensed athletic trainer). Failure to assure athletic training students are supervised during all clinical experiences will result in non-compliance.

Q: Often physicians (orthopedic, internal medicine, etc.) who have private practices do not have written EAPs for their offices. Does the Standard 78 (2012 Professional Program Standards) for EAPs apply for physicians in private practice?

Yes, Standard 78 (2012 Professional Program Standards), as well as Standard 79 (The program must have a process for site specific training and review of the EAP with the student before they begin patient care at that site.) and Standard 80 (Students must have immediate access to the EAP in an emergency situation.) apply to all venues where athletic training students are placed for clinical education .

Q: I evaluate competencies and interact with students when I am in the Athletic Training Clinic (as the Clinical Education Coordinator) but I do not have students assigned to me like our other clinical staff. Should I still list myself as a Preceptor?

It is assumed that the CEC and/or PD will evaluate students so it is not necessary for you to list yourself as a preceptor .

Question 1

Previously, ACIs had to be credential for at least one year. I no longer see that listed in the 2012 Standards. Is that no longer required by CAATE? Can that be an institutional decision now?

esther · Accepted Answer

There is no longer an ‘ACI’ designation or a requirement for the preceptor to be credentialed for a year. The program, however, should evaluate the newly credentialed healthcare professional’s ability to provide quality clinical education experiences for students in the program while they themselves are transitioning to practice.

Question 2

Do I need to notify the CAATE if we change our clinical education coordinator?

esther · Accepted Answer

No, there is nothing that needs to be submitted to the CAATE to notify a change in CEC. You will need to make the changes in eAccreditation in relation to officials as well as faculty profiles. Additionally, Standards 16 and 17 (2012 Professional Standards) may need to be adjusted with regard to FTE and PD/CEC course load, if that changes with this transition.

Question 3

We have our student complete a surgical observation; do we need to have the students evaluate the site, the surgeon, both, or neither?

esther · Accepted Answer

Standard 51 (2012 Professional Program Standards) states that all clinical education sites must be evaluated by the program on an annual and planned basis and the evaluations must serve as part of the program’s comprehensive assessment plan. The Standard does not indicate the types of evaluations that need to be performed. Educationally it may be appropriate to evaluate the site and the surgeon to determine if it is a worthwhile experience for the student.

Question 4

Standard 55 (2012 Professional Program Standards): Is it acceptable to require students to return to campus (in early August) and tie that experience to a Clinical Course that will be taught during the fall/first semester (which would normally start 2-3 weeks after the students’ early return) and appears on the course syllabus?

esther · Accepted Answer

A clinical experience can extend beyond the academic semester and during breaks as long as it is tied to an academic course. The aforementioned scenario could be considered compliant if all other criteria are met.  For example, it is critical that this practice is approved by those in the institution with authority to do so to ensure students are not prohibited from returning early for a variety of reasons (e.g. liability insurance coverage).

Question 5

Standard 63 (2012 Professional Program Standards): By sending the students to apply ice on their own, is the Program Non-Compliant with Standard 63 since the AT is not “physically present” and does not “have the ability to intervene on behalf of the athletic training student and patient”?  If this scenario is allowed under the Standard, when would this become non-compliant (what skill/task performed by the student or what question answered by the student would this situation then become non-compliant)?

esther · Accepted Answer

The athletic training student must be supervised at all times, therefore, sending the student to perform athletic training services, including application of ice, on a patient would require the presence of an appropriately credentialed preceptor (e.g. licensed athletic trainer). Failure to assure athletic training students are supervised during all clinical experiences will result in non-compliance.

Question 6

Often physicians (orthopedic, internal medicine, etc.) who have private practices do not have written EAPs for their offices. Does the Standard 78 (2012 Professional Program Standards) for EAPs apply for physicians in private practice?

esther · Accepted Answer

Yes, Standard 78 (2012 Professional Program Standards), as well as Standard 79 (The program must have a process for site specific training and review of the EAP with the student before they begin patient care at that site.) and Standard 80 (Students must have immediate access to the EAP in an emergency situation.) apply to all venues where athletic training students are placed for clinical education.

Question 7

I evaluate competencies and interact with students when I am in the Athletic Training Clinic (as the Clinical Education Coordinator) but I do not have students assigned to me like our other clinical staff.  Should I still list myself as a Preceptor?

esther · Accepted Answer

It is assumed that the CEC and/or PD will evaluate students so it is not necessary for you to list yourself as a preceptor.

Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education

FAQ

CAATE UPDATE AND FAQs ON THE CORONAVIRUS

The CAATE has compiled frequently asked questions for students, professionals and post-professionals. Find answers to your questions below.

PROFESSIONAL FAQS - General Questions

Previously, ACIs had to be credential for at least one year. I no longer see that listed in the 2012 Standards. Is that no longer required by CAATE? Can that be an institutional decision now?

Do I need to notify the CAATE if we change our clinical education coordinator?

PROFESSIONAL FAQS - 2012 Professional Program Standards

We have our student complete a surgical observation; do we need to have the students evaluate the site, the surgeon, both, or neither?

Often physicians (orthopedic, internal medicine, etc.) who have private practices do not have written EAPs for their offices. Does the Standard 78 (2012 Professional Program Standards) for EAPs apply for physicians in private practice?

PROFESSIONAL FAQS - Annual Report

I evaluate competencies and interact with students when I am in the Athletic Training Clinic (as the Clinical Education Coordinator) but I do not have students assigned to me like our other clinical staff. Should I still list myself as a Preceptor?