The athletic training clinical experience component of the Athletic Training Education Program at Upper Iowa University is designed to guide the student through a structured program that will help him/her to develop the skills and gain the experiences necessary to become an entry-level certified athletic trainer. It will assist the student in making practical application of the knowledge gained in the classes required within the athletic training major. Once accepted in the UIU ATEP, the student will use the next three years to work on meeting competencies appropriate for his/her academic and clinical knowledge level within the program of study. This skill progression typically follows the curriculum of the athletic training education program with instruction and practice performed in the core classes as well as in the appropriate Clinical Work Practicum class. Clinical Work Practicum classes allow for addition instruction and practice of skills as well as functioning as a bridge between the classroom and the clinical settings, where the athletic training student has the opportunity to gain valuable clinical experience. During the clinical experience the student will have the opportunity to be evaluated by their Approved Clinical Instructor (ACI), evaluate their clinical rotation and ACI. The competency progression of a typical athletic training student (entering UIU as an incoming freshman)* is as follows:
Application year:
Student acquires and demonstrates basic knowledge, skills, and competency of wrapping, taping, and bracing, basic acute care and emergency procedures, standard athletic training room policies and procedures. A student will also become involved in the clinical aspect of athletic training by completing observational hours in the Brooke Kerns Athletic Training Center.
First year:
Student acquires and demonstrates knowledge, skills, and competency of athletic injury assessment/evaluation, nutritional issues that pertain to the physically active population, and continual development of bracing, wrapping, taping, and acute care skills. During this time, the student begins his/her clinical rotations with an assignment to an ACI.
Second year:
Student acquires and demonstrates knowledge, skills, and competency of the use of therapeutic modalities and therapeutic reconditioning, kinesiology and exercise physiology concepts, and continual development of evaluation/assessment skills. The student continues his/her clinical experience with new ACI assignments as well as taking on more responsibility within their assignments.
Third year:
Student acquires and demonstrates knowledge, skills, and competency of the organization and administration of athletic training settings, as well as continuing to develop his/her previously acquired skills as he/she prepares for the Athletic Training Board of Certification Exam. The student completes their final clinical rotations and is expected to be making significant contributions to their assignments.
*Transferring students may take an altered sequence in order to place the transfer student in the appropriate year for classes and learning skills.
Clinic rotations may take place through assignment to either an ACI within the athletic training staff at Upper Iowa University or with a Clinical Instructor (CI) at an affiliated, off-campus site. While performing a rotation at Upper Iowa University, a student will have the opportunity to work with NCAA Division II athletics, including football, women's volleyball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's basketball, wrestling, softball, and baseball. Off-campus clinical rotations provide additional opportunities for the athletic training student to become more familiar with the roles and responsibilities of various medical and allied health personnel comprising the sports medicine team. This opportunity enhances and diversifies the curriculum offerings and clinical experiences of an Upper Iowa Athletic Training student.
