A Blueprint for Success Building a Comprehensive Sports Medicine Program in Your School Presented by Dr. Jim Berry, ATC, SCAT, NREMT Head Athletic Trainer Conway High School Conway, South Carolina

Disclosure I have no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this program/presentation.

My message to you today… Identity Vision Policy Administration Cooperation Facilities

The vision thing… What is your vision for your sports medicine program? What do you want to accomplish? What is the purpose in what you do?

Who and what are you? It’s imperative that you establish an identity for your program and yourself in the school and in the community How can you do this?

Policies and Procedures… A must for any sports medicine program Should include sections on… National & state regulations Job descriptions & evaluation procedures Emergency Action Plan Injury evaluation/care policies/procedures Use of modalities Weather/Heat Policy Use of ATSAs Budgeting & purchasing

Administration… A successful sports medicine program has a strong administrative component The administrative component should include… The use of current technology An injury recording system A daily record of training room activities A comprehensive records system that is individualized Quality control/review

Developing your facility… You’re a medical professional, therefore the facility you work in should be professional as well. Remember… the athletic training room should ALWAYS be considered a medical facility! Establish rules for your facility Keep it clean, neat, and orderly Make your facility something your supervisors want to show off

Developing relationships… One of the biggest mistakes ATs make is isolating themselves in their training rooms or within the school’s athletic community Successful ATs in the secondary school setting involve themselves in the entire school community and the larger community in general Get to know everyone on the faculty, not just the coaches Get involved in the “life” of the school beyond athletics Embrace opportunities to contribute in the community and to work with groups or individuals in the community

So this is your blueprint… …It’s up to you to build it.

In doing so however… …always keep your priorities in order.

Dr. Jim Berry, ATC, SCAT, NREMT Thank you! Dr. Jim Berry, ATC, SCAT, NREMT Head Athletic Trainer Conway High School 2301 Church Street Conway, SC 29526 843-488-6191 drjimberry@gmail.com