Applicants for an athletic trainer license must provide proof of successfully completing one of the following:
Athletic trainers are licensed by the Department of Health to provide:
An athletic trainer may purchase, store, and administer over-the-counter topical medications such as hydrocortisone, fluocinonide, topical anesthetics, silver sulfadiazine, lidocaine, magnesium sulfate, zinc oxide, and other similar medications, as prescribed by an authorized health care practitioner for the practice of athletic training.
"Athlete" is defined as a person who participates in exercise, recreation, sport, or games requiring physical strength, range-of-motion, flexibility, body awareness and control, speed, stamina, or agility, and the exercise, recreation, sports, or games are of a type conducted in association with an educational institution or professional, amateur, or recreational sports club or organization.
"Athletic injury" means an injury or condition sustained by an athlete that affects the person's participation or performance in exercise, recreation, sport, or games and the injury or condition is within the professional preparation and education of an athletic trainer.
"Athletic trainer" means a person who is licensed under the athletic trainer chapter who can practice athletic training through the consultation, referral, or guidelines of a licensed health care provider working within their scope of practice.
Athletic trainers are authorized to purchase, store, and administer over-the-counter medications as prescribed by an authorized health care practitioner for the practice of athletic training. Athletic trainers who have completed accredited training programs on pharmacology and medication administration may purchase, store, and administer medications in accordance with the programs, as prescribed by an authorized health care practitioner for the practice of athletic training.
References to over-the-counter topical medications are removed.
The definition of "athletic injury" is modified to include "activities." The definition of "athlete" is modified to include "activities" and includes exercise, recreation, activities, sports, or games that are of a type conducted for the benefits of health and wellness in association with an educational institution or professional, amateur, recreational sports club or organization, hospital, or industrial-based organization. The definition of "athletic trainer" is modified so that it refers to a health care provider, rather than a person, licensed under the athletic trainer statutes.
(In support) There are 875 athletic trainers in this state that practice in a variety of fields, sports, schools, and also support people in the medical field. Athletic trainers work in industrial settings such as large corporations in areas with lots of movement. They help to ensure ergonomic movement to prevent injuries. The proponents have had conversations with others on the pharmacologic issues and with the physical therapists and medical association on their concerns.
This bill will acknowledge all athletes. The addition of activities supports the inclusion of nontraditional athletes that athletic trainers provide care to currently. Athletic trainers provide care to many who participate in different activities and not all athletes come from the traditional settings of schools, professionals, or other athletes. Athletic trainers work in coordination with others to provide care or work in corporate settings. This bill will ensure that athletic trainers can practice to the full extent of their training and enable athletic trainers to support the health care system.
The language in the athletic trainer statutes needs to be changed to match with the current standards of the training and education. The current educational standards are not being recognized and the education and training are advancing. This slows clinic flow because practitioners have to draw up their own medications. Athletic trainers are not intending to administer medication.
(Opposed) There are concerns on the medication piece in the bill, as well as concerns about the additions for health and wellness in the definition of athlete. Those are very broad terms and perhaps there are other terms that get at the industrial settings and hospital settings. There is an understanding that the Medical Association and Department of Health are working on some additional language for the medication piece.
(Other) As the bill is written it goes beyond the over-the-counter drugs. There should be a tiered system for those with different levels of training.
There is a lack of understanding about what this bill does and there is concern about the addition of the term activities. Activities is a term that has deep history in occupational therapy. Occupational therapists use activities as part of core training, specifically activities of daily living. With this terminology addition, anyone in any setting could be an athlete. There should be a sunrise review to study the scope expansion.