It’s possible that the First Aid Assistants at some schools are certified athletic trainers. According to MCPS these persons are either currently certified athletic trainers, EMTs, or paramedics. (http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/ersc/employees/timekeepers/eca_handbook_current.pdf) I’ve seen our First Aid Assistant at our home competitions. But I've noticed that not all schools have someone serving this function at our away competitions. For fear of losing what we’ve got I don’t dare name our HS.
I see three benefits to having an athletic trainer at each of MCPS’s 25 high school. First, the trainer degree is a four-year college program and trainers must pass a national certification program. Coaches are only required to take an injury course and watch a 30-minute online concussion awareness program. So athletic trainers bring a deeper knowledge about concussions and other sports injuries. Having trainers also allow coaches to, well, coach.
Second, trainers maintain detailed records of injuries. Such records allow administrators to see trends, e.g. football representing half of all concussions, boys versus girls concussion rates in the same sports. Also, managing a student athlete's return to play involves several milestones such as the doctor's clearance and successful completion of the graduated return to play steps. At Maryland high schools staffed with athletic trainers, the trainers perform this function. This function does not appear to get done at MCPS high schools.
Third, a trainer is not authorized to clear a concussed student for return to play, a trainer may override a doctor's clearance if the trainer thinks that the student is not ready. I have heard numerous instances of doctors clearing students for return to play where a trainer later found the student to still be exhibiting symptoms.
I am not sure how the counties that have certified trainers are doing it. If they are paid by the county or otherwise. To my knowledge it is not consistent. Some schools are paying for it and some are paying for it as they can afford it. I believe some Boosters are either paying in part or in whole. It seems to be on a game-by-game basis if their is money for it at the time. For the DCC schools I suspect it is a little harder to budget for. Whether you call them trainers or EMT's I think they should be at all contact games (Football, Lacrosse, Soccer). The injuries are frequent enough and can be severe enough some one needs to be there to initially respond. But the other issues is since the position is handled by the individual schools (I am assuming) there is no universal criteria for the position let alone procedures for an injury or emergency. Perhaps for coaches but not a trainer.
An EMT or first aid person is not an Athletic Trainer. EMTs are first responders. Athletic trainers are there for the injury and through treatment. That is huge when dealing with post concussion recovery.
If only the athletic trainers had a union, or had donated more to O'Malley's campaigns, they would be at the schools. Note that FieldTurfTarkett has no problem having Montgomery County taxpayers pay millions for artificial turf (AT) fields. There is plenty of money. It just depends on what you want to spend it. I would love to hear from some Booster Club members, who are shelling out for the AT fields. Why is this less of a priority?
It’s possible that the First Aid Assistants at some schools are certified athletic trainers. According to MCPS these persons are either currently certified athletic trainers, EMTs, or paramedics. (http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/ersc/employees/timekeepers/eca_handbook_current.pdf)
ReplyDeleteI’ve seen our First Aid Assistant at our home competitions. But I've noticed that not all schools have someone serving this function at our away competitions. For fear of losing what we’ve got I don’t dare name our HS.
Why is not having a certified athletic trainers a problem?
ReplyDeleteI see three benefits to having an athletic trainer at each of MCPS’s 25 high school. First, the trainer degree is a four-year college program and trainers must pass a national certification program. Coaches are only required to take an injury course and watch a 30-minute online concussion awareness program. So athletic trainers bring a deeper knowledge about concussions and other sports injuries. Having trainers also allow coaches to, well, coach.
DeleteSecond, trainers maintain detailed records of injuries. Such records allow administrators to see trends, e.g. football representing half of all concussions, boys versus girls concussion rates in the same sports. Also, managing a student athlete's return to play involves several milestones such as the doctor's clearance and successful completion of the graduated return to play steps. At Maryland high schools staffed with athletic trainers, the trainers perform this function. This function does not appear to get done at MCPS high schools.
Third, a trainer is not authorized to clear a concussed student for return to play, a trainer may override a doctor's clearance if the trainer thinks that the student is not ready. I have heard numerous instances of doctors clearing students for return to play where a trainer later found the student to still be exhibiting symptoms.
I am not sure how the counties that have certified trainers are doing it. If they are paid by the county or otherwise. To my knowledge it is not consistent. Some schools are paying for it and some are paying for it as they can afford it. I believe some Boosters are either paying in part or in whole. It seems to be on a game-by-game basis if their is money for it at the time. For the DCC schools I suspect it is a little harder to budget for. Whether you call them trainers or EMT's I think they should be at all contact games (Football, Lacrosse, Soccer). The injuries are frequent enough and can be severe enough some one needs to be there to initially respond. But the other issues is since the position is handled by the individual schools (I am assuming) there is no universal criteria for the position let alone procedures for an injury or emergency. Perhaps for coaches but not a trainer.
ReplyDeleteAn EMT or first aid person is not an Athletic Trainer. EMTs are first responders. Athletic trainers are there for the injury and through treatment. That is huge when dealing with post concussion recovery.
ReplyDeleteIf only the athletic trainers had a union, or had donated more to O'Malley's campaigns, they would be at the schools. Note that FieldTurfTarkett has no problem having Montgomery County taxpayers pay millions for artificial turf (AT) fields. There is plenty of money. It just depends on what you want to spend it. I would love to hear from some Booster Club members, who are shelling out for the AT fields. Why is this less of a priority?
ReplyDelete