Technical Standards
Athletic Training education requires that the accumulation of scientific knowledge be accompanied by the simultaneous acquisition of skills and professional attitudes and behavior.
The University of Miami School of Education and Human Development, Department of Kinesiology & Sports Sciences, awards a Master's of Science Athletic Training degree to students who successfully complete the curriculum. Students are expected to acquire a broad base of knowledge and skills, and competencies of an entry-level Athletic Trainer as well as meet the expectations of the program’s accrediting agency, The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Technological compensation can be made for some disabilities in certain of these areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner. The use of a trained intermediary means that a candidate’s judgment must be mediated by someone else’s power of selection and observation, and as such is unacceptable.
Observation
The candidate must be able to observe demonstrations and participate in didactic and simulated learning opportunities in Athletic Training theory and practice for normal and pathologic states. A candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand. Observation requires the use of common sense, as well as the functional use of the senses of vision, audition, olfaction, and palpation with or without assistive devices.
Communication
Candidates must communicate effectively, using English in clinical and classroom settings. Candidates must be able to elicit information from patients, describe the patient’s mood, activity and posture, and perceive and accurately report nonverbal communications. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with coaches, administrators, patients and their families. Communication includes not only speech but also reading and writing. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with all members of the health care team in both immediate and recorded modes with or without assistive devices.
Motor
Candidates should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, manual positioning of body segments and other evaluative procedures. A candidate must be able to do basic screening and examinations (physiological measures such as BP, HR, respiration, blood glucose assessment, pupillary assessment, spO2, spirometry, EKG), diagnostic procedures (palpation, manual muscle testing, goniometry, ligament laxity testing, neurovascular evaluation, gait and postural analysis, balance assessment). A candidate should be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment (individual and team performance of CPR and AED use, airway assessment and management, fracture stabilization, dislocation reduction, wound management including but not limited to application of pressure to stop bleeding, cervical spine injury stabilization and management, casting, suturing, taping and bracing, and fitting of protective equipment and assistive devices) and review X-rays. A candidate must be able to lift an adequate amount of weight (approximately 40 pounds), in order to assess and lift a patient. Candidates must perform actions which require the use of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision with or without assistive devices.
Conceptual-Integrative and Quantitative Analysis
These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, synthesis, and retention of complex information. Critical thinking requires all of these intellectual abilities in order to provide optimal patient care. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.
Behavioral/Social Attitudes
Candidates must possess the emotional health required for full use of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to an evaluation, diagnosis and care of patients, and be able to develop mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically-taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress, both didactically and clinically. They must be able to adapt to changing environments both indoor and outdoor, display flexibility and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical environment. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest and motivation are all personal qualities that are assessed during the admissions and education process.
Completion of the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. Students requesting accommodation to meet the technical standards must contact the Office of Disability Services prior to the start of the program or immediately upon a change in health status.
Students must read and sign indicating they understand the technical standards listed above that are required of students enrolled in the Athletic Training Program and understand that they are essential requirements of the program. If for any reason, the student’s health status changes, they are required to notify the program and update their signature.
