BOC Blog

Athletic Training Administration: An In Depth Look

An In Depth Look with… Jessica O’Neel, MS Ed, ATC
Credentialing Specialist at the Board of Certification, Inc.

  • University of Nebraska Omaha Athletic Training Education Program Alum
  • Northwest Missouri State University Athletic Training Graduate Assistant Alum
  • Chairman for the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers’ Association and District V Public Relations Committee

Describe your setting:

Board of Certification, Inc. – Organizational and Administrative Duties

How long have you worked in this setting?

I became certified in 2007 and then started working at the BOC in August 2010.

Describe your typical day:

  • Assist ATs with licensure/certification/registration process for state regulatory agencies
  • Educate ATs about Recertification Requirements, CE entry, resigning their credential, etc.
  • Educate candidates about BOC exam process and certification requirements
  • Explain eligibility requirements to sit for the BOC exam
  • Assist individuals with an Expired status return to the profession and become recertified
  • Manage annual audit


What do you like about your position?

  • In-depth look at the organization, administration and regulatory affairs aspect of athletic training
  • Rewarding to make a difference through working with and educating my peers
  • Great quality of life
  • Employer understands the profession, including struggles ATs commonly face
  • Still have the ability to practice athletic training in my free time and stay current with cognitive and practical knowledge, skills and abilities

What do you dislike about your position?

It is sedentary compared to the physical activity associated with most settings.

What advice do you have about your practice setting for a young athletic trainer looking at this setting?

Working in an administrative setting provides many unique benefits which may not be experienced in historical athletic training settings.  For young professionals or ATs looking to move into the regulatory side of our profession, a developed interest in administration is critical.  Alternatively, while working in an administrative position as a young professional, I feel it is imperative to maintain practical athletic training skills and knowledge by staying actively engaged in providing athletic training heath care services on a regular basis.


BOC Works For You

In April 2010, the BOC asked all ATs to take a survey regarding Recertification Requirements.  Over 12,000 ATs participated in the survey and provided valuable feedback.  The BOC listened and has undergone numerous upgrades in response to the comments and requests received.

Below is a brief outline of BOC working for you:

  • Creation of a new CE Reporting Form.  10 steps for CE entry are long gone.  Now CE entry is as easy as 1-2-3.
  • Recertification Fee Changes.  Be confused no longer.  ATs now have the option to pay the annual requirement each year (2012 and 2013) in the reporting period or they can pay two years worth of requirements in 2013 by 12/31/2013.
  • One common expiration date.  We still had ATs asking “When are my CEUs due?” In order to alleviate this confusion, the BOC is returning to one common expiration date for recertification.  All ATs will have CE due by 12/31/2013.
  • Four Statuses for ATs will reduce to four options: Certified, Expired, Suspended and Revoked.  Confusion will no longer exist between Inactive and Resigned status.
  • Electronic BOC cards are now supplied to all ATs upon certification and each time they recertify.  Snail mail will not delay your documentation.  The attachment is sent via email so stakeholders can print cards for employers, state regulatory agencies etc.
  • The Enhanced list of BOC Approved Providers was created to assist stakeholders in finding CE opportunities.  Numerous BOC Approved Providers have shared information about CE they provide.  ATs can now search by many criteria to determine if their event is eligible for Category A CEUs, find approved providers who offer CE for dual credentialed ATs, and associated promotions and cost with CE events.
  • New BOC Central™ personal profile which allows candidates and certified ATs to be clear on the requirements needed to earn and maintain certification.

This transition has been in the making for well over a year.  Be Certain.™ to take a moment to review the BOC website and BOC Central™ and catch up to speed on anything you may have missed.  Remember, your credential depends on it!

Written By: Jessica O’Neel, MS Ed, ATC
JessicaO@bocatc.org


What I Love about Athletic Training

It’s the week of Valentine’s Day and with that day, brings an opportunity to focus on the ones you love.  It is also a day that you can reflect on what you love, and for Athletic Trainers it is our profession.

There is a lot to love about our deeply fulfilling profession.  Working with athletes, watching so many games, developing relationships with many people, serving behind the scenes and the variety of work are all things I love.  One thing I want to focus on in this blog is all the peripheral things I get to experience in my setting at the high school.

In the past 11 years, I have been able to work with our Spring Musical with some dancers who needed some strength training.  They asked me to develop a program and work with them for several weeks to build their strength base and jumping ability.  I have had the opportunity to work with our band as the First Aid team for a band competition.  Many of our teachers and administrators have come to my athletic training room for an evaluation and for therapy for ailing knees, backs, wrists, hips, etc.  I get questions all the time from students and teachers about training programs and injuries.  I have had parents of elementary aged athletes drop by my house and  ask me to take a look at their injured child because a former athlete suggested my services.

One of the endearing legacies of Joe Paterno has been his life’s motto “Make an Impact.”  Many people are remembering Joe by honoring his mantra and trying to make an impact on others with what they have been blessed with.  As an Athletic Trainer, all the things I have listed and others I didn’t list are well outside our assigned duties.  But I am reminded that each of these chances is an opportunity to make an impact on someone’s life. 

What do I love about being an AT?  The chance to make an impact on someone’s life, especially when they are not within the norm of my daily routine.

Written by: Paul LaDuke, MSS, ATC, CSCS
pladuke@ldsd.org


Spreading the Love of Volunteers

“Volunteers are valentines for all seasons”- Jacqueline Schiff

For some, Valentine’s Day may have become something of a no-brainer: a nice dinner out, a card and roses. For others, it might represent a lost love or serve as an excuse to sit home watching a sappy love story with a carton of Rocky Road. No matter your expectations for the heart-shaped holiday, why not use it as an opportunity to spread the love in your community or profession?

The BOC appreciates our volunteers that make up 5 committees, 7 bloggers, 11 BOC Board of Directors, 104 Item Writers and 143 Home Study reviewers.

With 298 volunteers x $21.36/hour at 2 hours/month = $12,731 worth of volunteer service.

2011 BOC Volunteer Accomplishments:

  • Publicized  the BOC Role Delineation Study/Practice Analysis, Sixth Edition (RD/PA6) for the entry-level AT
  • Attainment of Better Business Bureau accreditation
  • Delivery of over 5,000 certification exams
  • Recertification of over 10,000 ATs
  • Continued development of over 800 new exam items for experimental testing
  • Reviewed over 100 home study courses
  • Completed data collection of a 10 years longitudinal study regard continuing professional development
  • Researched and developed global standards for ethics
  • Validated the Global Practice Analysis

The continuous commitment to the development and administration of a quality certification program has produced a highly regarded program recognized as the gold standard for identifying entry-level athletic training professionals. The BOC thanks everyone for their service and for spreading the love to support the growth and success of the BOC.


You’re Never Too Busy

Roland "Duke" LaRue

A mentor of mine once told me to never take for granted the time you sit with those who have been in the profession longer than you.

Seven years ago, I was working in a high school and Roland “Duke” LaRue would come visit. Duke was a legend in the profession and the first time I met him, I felt like I had just met someone famous. He kept visiting me that school year, but he would always show up right at 3:00 p.m. when I had a room full of student-athletes to get ready for practices. He would offer to tape (he did produce a taping video after all) and slow things down even more.  Then, after the bustle cleared out he would want to sit and talk for 20-30 minutes while I needed to be out at football practice. I remember getting quite irritated.

Thankfully I remembered what my mentor said. I needed to settle down and enjoy this time with someone who had so many experiences to share. It turned out that I learned an immense amount from Duke and because of him to this day I have a passion to help create opportunities for younger athletic trainers. Duke passed away the next year and it became crystal clear that I had almost let a wonderful opportunity slip away. I was too engrossed in being the busy athletic trainer juggling so many responsibilities and tasks that I almost missed out on one of the most influential professional experiences of my career. After that, I guarantee you I always had time to sit and listen to an athlete who needed to talk or take the extra few minutes to answer a parent’s questions.

Don’t forget to learn from the moments you’re given and be patient enough to learn from those who have gone before you.

Written By: Danielle Kleber, ATC
dklebes22@yahoo.com


Looking Ahead to National Athletic Training Month

As the calendar turns, it’s time to prepare and start thinking about what lies ahead. For Athletic Trainers, March is coming quickly and March equals National Athletic Training Month. This year’s theme is “Athletic Trainers Save Lives.” It is important for us to promote the profession and our knowledge and skill on a daily and weekly basis, but the month of March provides us the opportunity to really reach out to our communities both in society and the medical communities around us.

As a Young Professional, I am fairly new to whole idea of National Athletic Training Month, but it is one I have taken on full bore and I would invite all Athletic Trainers to do the same. Many student organizations across the country are participating in the NATA Student Committee’s video contest. Definitely check out those videos on YouTube and support their groups. You can view some of the videos on the BOC’s YouTube featured playlist.

Last year, for National Athletic Training Month, I used Facebook heavily to promote the profession. In fact, I think some of my friends got tired of it, but that’s okay. I’ll be back at it again this year too. This year I also have my own personal blog related to athletic training so it will be plastered with articles and posts for National Athletic Training Month. Another outlet that I used last year is my work email tagline had an athletic training quote on it. I will be using a new one this year on there in addition to my email tagline in my personal email. Lastly, each of my athletic training blog posts ends with my own tagline so I promote athletic training on a daily basis in many forms of media.

You can also coordinate community events and have your Mayor sign a proclamation honoring National Athletic Training Month in your community.

Share what you or your athletic training department is planning for National Athletic Training Month.

Every Athlete Deserves an Athletic Trainer

Written By: Mike Hopper, ATC
michael.n.hopper@gmail.com

 


High School Athletic Training Setting: An In Depth Look

An In Depth Look… of Paul LaDuke, ATC
Head Athletic Trainer, Lower Dauphin School District in PA

Describe your setting:

I am the full time BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (AT) for a public school district in Pennsylvania.  There are 1,200 students in grades 9-12, but my assistant and I are responsible for all the athletes in 7th-12th grades.  We typically have 1,000 student athletes participate in our athletic program through the course of the 3 sports seasons.   The school contracts an assistant athletic trainer through a local physical therapy clinic to provide services to our athletes at the middle school.   We each have responsibly to staff activities for specific teams and fill in for each other as the need arises. 

How long have you worked in this setting?

I have been in the high school setting for 14 years.  I worked for another public school through a clinic before I was offered this current job.  I have been at my current position for 11 years. 

Describe your typical day:

I am married and have 3 school aged kids ranging from 3rd grade up to 9th grade.  So my morning is usually focused on spending time with the family as they prepare for school starting at 6am until my youngest leaves at 8:45am.  I will go to school around 10am during the spring and fall sports seasons and work until the end of events, which is usually 6:30pm.  During the winter months, I get to the training room around 1pm and stay until the last practices or games are over, normally around 9:30pm.  

During the school year, I typically average 48 hours/week during football season (mid-August-early November), 40 hours per week during the winter sports season (mid-November-February) and 45 hours per week during the spring sports season (March-early June).   For the 8 week summer break, I open the weight room in the mornings and run strength and conditioning programs for our teams.  For the past several years this has been all morning work from 7am to noon. 

What do you like about your position?

There is a lot to like about working at the high school setting.  First and foremost to me is getting to work with the kids.  It is really enjoyable watching these young people develop from 7th grade through 12th grade.  It is even better when they come back from college and stop in to say hello.

I also love the variety that I get in the high school setting.  Last year I provided services to over 250 games from the 7th grade level through the varsity level, from scrimmages to playoff games.  I get to work with 7th grade adolescents who can barely run 100m to elite athletes who never cease to amaze with their talents.  The variety of personality, sport and injury keep me learning new things and never bored.

What do you dislike about your position?

There isn’t much to dislike, but with a wife and athletic kids, I often have a conflict with my hours.  I have had to miss some of my kids sporting events and helping with homework.  I also miss family dinner which for a traditional guy like me is something that is a struggle.  But, the school administration and my assistant have always helped out so that I don’t miss the big events like concerts, important games, field trips, etc.  I also get to have breakfast with them every day to make up for missing dinner.

What advice do you have about your practice setting for a young athletic trainer looking at this setting?

The high school setting is an intense setting with a lot of demand on ATs from parents, athletes, coaches and administration.  There is demand on your time because they know you are a valuable asset to the athletic department.  Yes, you will work nights but building those relationships and being a positive role model for young people is worth the sacrifice.  The high school athletic trainer must also be well versed in a wide variety of skills.  I often tell people that the high school athletic trainer has the widest ranging skill set of any athletic training setting.  Because of this you must be confident in what you know and willing to constantly learn to be better at what you do.  The high school setting isn’t a setting for an AT who is looking to have it easy.

January 26th, 2012 by Brittney
Posted in BOC News & Events, Uncategorized
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The Next Generation of Leaders

Athletic training is a people centric profession built around networking.  Making connections with professionals, peers, and patients is at our core. Experienced professionals and Hall of Fame inductees will often say “young professionals are the way of our future”.  The respected athletic training founding fathers are beginning to retire.  To ensure a progressive and evolving profession for the future, we should take a strong look at how we are mentoring and developing athletic training students.  What are you doing to help, develop, shape and mold future leaders of our profession? 

Mentoring Matters.  Sharing knowledge and skills can be career changing.  Be a mentor by providing professional guidance with those who are less experienced.  Help new professionals become committed to the cause. Athletic training will only continue to flourish if we have leaders take ownership and guide the way.  Be an example in providing high quality patient care. 

Take mentoring to the next level. Find a match. Invite followers. Provide an incentive for them to be involved.  Your efforts will help to build an affinity for the profession.

I am terribly grateful and will forever be indebted for all that I have learned and continue to learn from my mentors.  I feel it is important for passionate leaders to share a spark of their flame and light a fire in others to promote and further the profession.

Take pride in yourself and your profession.  Even the small actions of 39,000 professionals will be felt across the nation if we band together and work in unison. Experienced leaders need to take “young guns” under their wing and mentor them.  It is important to know where we came from and how we got to where we are today.  It is equally important to groom future leaders and this can be achieved through mentorship.  Senior students can assist their novice peers.  ACIs can counsel and guide students.  Managers, staff and students can learn up the chain. As we move forward we want to take strong and progressive professionals with us.  Take action to bring a student or colleague under your wing and share your triumphs and tribulations with them through time.

Written By: Jessica O’Neel, MS Ed, ATC
JessicaO@bocatc.org

 


Dreams for Athletic Training

I believe it is important to have “dreams.”  These threads of future consciousness allow us to explore what we would like to see happen in the future.  Dreams can also act as a vision for others to follow and progress towards their making a reality.  Martin Luther King, Jr. famously shared his dream and his words are still inspiring and motivating people today.  As I lie awake at night, I have the following dreams for the profession of Athletic Training:

  • Remember and learn from the past and continue to move forward with creativity and innovation for the future.
  • Always remember that Athletic Trainers are qualified healthcare providers with tremendous value to give to the physically active.
  • Every Athletic Trainer will become a guardian of the profession and fight for its place within the healthcare system.
  • Evidence-Based Practice will become a mainstay as a way for us to provide increased value to our patients.
  • Every active person who wants access to appropriate healthcare get access (including Athletic Trainers).

 “If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream.”

The Trumpet of Conscience
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

What are your dreams for the profession?

Written By: Chad Kinart, MS, ATC
ChadK@bocatc.org

 


What’s Your Vision for the New Year?

Happy New Year! The BOC is looking forward to an exciting year ahead, supporting you in the profession while providing new, value-added services for Athletic Trainers and BOC Approved Providers.

As you may already know, the BOC revised the 2012 recertification requirements, which you can read more about in the latest edition of the Certification Update. Also look for a new BOC Central™ logo as part of an updated design of your profile along with the same features. We also began sending electronic BOC certification cards and certificates last September, so please print your certification card to carry with you and save the email containing the PDF file.

The 2012 BOC blog will have new articles with you in mind, including a feature of an AT in each practice setting called “A Day in the Life.” If you are an AT who would like to have an appearance in a blog post, please contact BrittneyR@bocatc.org. We’ll also have interesting themes throughout the months, including highlights of March’s National Athletic Trainer Month. Please share the blog with your colleagues or students and join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

We thank Jerry Diehl for serving as Public Director on the BOC Board of Directors from 2005 to 2011 while welcoming Amy DeRosa who is serving as the new Public Director and Jim Malseed, MEd, ATC, RAA, who will be serving as Athletic Trainer Director.

As BOC Board of Director President, Peter Koehneke, MS, ATC, said, “The future is as bright as we are willing to construct it by being prepared for the upcoming changes in healthcare while continuing to embrace the global opportunities available. The BOC will continue to promote excellence in all we do to provide the value you expect in return. We look to continue to excel as a premier credentialing agency for our credential holders and to ensure protection of the public through the exam and recertification program.”

What is your vision for 2012?


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