CHILLICOTHE ATHLETIC TRAINING
Mindy Smith, Head Athletic Trainer  -  mindyjp@hotmail.com

Athletic Training Forms

Cast Rule Physician's Release

Physician Release for Wrestlers

Head Injury Recommendations

Student Athletic Trainer Application

What is a Certified Athletic Trainer?
Mindy Smith MS, ATC, LAT

Welcome to the new section of the Chillicothe High School Athletic Department website. Many people do not understand exactly what I do when you see me at a High School practice or game. This article will help you to understand what an athletic trainer is and what I can do to better help the athletes at CHS. Upcoming articles will address issues prevalent in the field of athletics.

A Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) is a highly educated and skilled professional specializing in athletic health care. They work closely with physicians and other allied health personnel. The Athletic Trainer functions as an important member of the athletic health care team in all areas of athletics which include, high schools, colleges and universities, physical therapy clinics, and professional sports programs. All certified athletic trainers have, at minimum, a bachelor's degree, usually in athletic training, health, physical education or exercise science. During the course work in college ATC’s also study nutrition, physiology, kinesiology, anatomy and physiology. In addition we have worked a considerable amount of clinical observation hours to obtain our certification. During a regular day we work within the six domains set by the athletic training profession: Prevention, Recognition, Evaluation and Assessment of Injuries, Immediate Care, Treatment, Rehabilitation and Reconditioning, Organization and Administration, Professional Development.

To become a certified athletic trainer a student must pass a certification exam, which is given by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification, Inc. (NATABOC). The certification examination administered by NATABOC is made up of a written portion with multiple choice questions; a practical section that evaluates the skill components of the domains within athletic training; and a written simulation test, consisting of athletic training related situations designed to approximate real-life decision making. Once the student has graduated from college they are able to sit for the exam, upon passing they can use the initials ATC behind their name to signify they are now certified.

Sport Coverage Policy
As the sole medical provider for high school athletics at Chillicothe High School, I am often asked why I am at some games more then others or why I can only be at half of a game. For the second article in the “Trainers Corner” section of the Chillicothe Athletics website, I will try to go into why some sports are covered more than others.

The contract that CHS has with Ohio Valley Sports Medicine and Midwest Sports therapy, my employer, mandates the sports and at which levels I will be covering throughout the sports seasons. It states that I will provide athletic training and sports medicine services to all athletes at CHS at the school’s site according to schedule and will be at all junior varsity and varsity competitions as schedule permits. Often the problem arises when there is more than one game scheduled on the same night in different locations. In that case there are two options that can occur: 1. If there is an athlete with a preexisting medical condition, I will attend that sport first in order to get the athlete prepared for competition. 2. If there are no known injuries, I will be present at the most high collision/contact sport. Keep in mind that studies have shown that the risk of injury increases with skill level and frequency of play so higher levels of sports will be attended to first. At the completion of that contest, I will continue to attend all other games that are going on that day until the last game is finished for the day. Keeping with that thought, during the fall season, the priority goes to: Varsity football, junior varsity football, varsity girls/boys soccer, junior varsity girls/boys soccer, varsity volleyball, junior varsity volleyball, cross country, tennis and golf.

All coaches have taken a first aid/sports medicine class to be able to take care of preventive services to athletes as well as to handle minor injuries. In the event I am at another game, all coaches have my cellular number where I can be reached and will immediately report to and assist the injured athlete.

I hope this clears up any confusion that may have arisen with my erratic schedule. I pride myself in not playing favorites or making myself unavailable to any sport.