Components of the Evaluation for Athletic Trainers

A certified athletic trainer (AT) plays a vital role in injury prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for athletes and physically active individuals. It has been well established that at the secondary school level, employing an athletic trainer is beneficial to not only the student-athletes but also the coaches, administrators and parents, essentially because the athletic trainer has a background in injury prevention, care and treatment.

The job of the secondary school athletic trainer requires a blend of medical expertise, communication skills and organizational efficiency, and their performance evaluation must be comprehensive and multidimensional.

Athletic administrators should evaluate their staff on a yearly basis. This evaluation should be specific to the person who is being evaluated. For example, a head coach should be evaluated differently than an assistant coach. Because of that the secondary school athletic trainer should be evaluated with a different approach than a coach as their job performance should be looked at differently.

A well-structured evaluation ensures that athletic trainers meet professional standards, contribute effectively to their team, work effectively without the athletic department and continually improve their practice. There are several key components that should be included in an athletic trainer’s performance evaluation, including clinical skills, communication, professionalism, administrative responsibilities, continuing education, and adherence to ethical and legal standards.

The most fundamental aspect of an athletic trainer’s performance evaluation is the clinical competency. This includes the person’s ability to assess, diagnose and treat injuries effectively. An athletic trainer should be proficient in injury prevention techniques, emergency response, rehabilitation and return-to-play protocols. While the athletic administrator is more than likely not proficient in those skills, the administrator will be able to see if the athletic trainer has those proficiencies through observation of the following clinical skills:

A. Injury Assessment and Diagnosis

• Accuracy in evaluating injuries and conditions

• Knowledge of anatomy and pathology

• Proper documentation of assessments

B. Injury Treatment and Rehabilitation

• Effectiveness of treatment plans

• Use of evidence-based rehabilitation techniques

• Monitoring and adjusting rehabilitation programs

C. Emergency Care and Crisis Management

• Proper handling of medical emergencies

• Use of first aid, CPR and AED

• Coordination with emergency medical services

D. Preventative Measures

• Implementation of strength and conditioning programs

• Educating athletes on injury prevention

• Proper taping and bracing techniques

An athletic trainer’s ability to provide timely and effective care directly impacts the well-being of athletes. Therefore, their evaluation should include direct observation, athlete feedback and peer reviews regarding their clinical competency.

In the secondary school setting, the athletic trainer must possess effective communication and interpersonal skills. The athletic trainer ideally will be able to vary those communication approaches as each student-athlete, coach, parent requires a different approach to optimally deliver information because the athletic trainer must communicate effectively with a diverse range of individuals. The individual’s ability to convey information clearly and build strong relationships is critical for success. Their evaluation should include these items as well:

A. Communication with Athletes

• Clarity in explaining injuries and rehabilitation protocols

• Active listening to athlete concerns

• Encouragement and motivation during recovery

B. Interaction with Coaches and Team Staff

• Providing timely updates on athlete conditions

• Collaborating on return-to-play decisions

• Offering injury prevention strategies

C. Liaison with Medical Professionals

• Coordinating referrals to physicians and specialists

• Ensuring continuity of care for injured athletes

• Accurately reporting medical findings

D. Parental and Guardian Communication (for Youth Athletes)

• Providing clear explanations of injuries and treatment plans

• Addressing parental concerns professionally

• Ensuring consent and involvement in care decisions

Evaluation of communication skills can be done through feedback surveys, peer reviews and direct observation. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, mismanagement of injuries, and diminished trust among stakeholders. The athletic trainer should be expected to use the utmost professionalism and ethical conduct in conducting day-to-day activities. These high professional standards and ethical guidelines that the athletic trainer should adhere to are set by organizations such as the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). When the athletic administrator is conducting the evaluation, it should also measure the athletic trainer’s professionalism in various aspects.

A. Ethical Decision-Making

• Adherence to patient confidentiality (HIPAA and FERPA compliance)

• Unbiased decision-making regarding athlete care

• Avoiding conflicts of interest

B. Attitude and Work Ethic

• Consistency in maintaining a positive and professional demeanor

• Commitment to continuous improvement

• Accountability for actions and decisions

C. Dependability and Availability

• Punctuality and preparedness for practices and games

• Willingness to work extended hours when necessary

• Responsiveness to emergencies and urgent situations

Several ways that an athletic trainer’s professionalism can be assessed are through self-evaluations, supervisor assessments and anonymous feedback from athletes and staff. Beyond direct athlete care, athletic trainers are responsible for various administrative and organizational tasks that ensure the efficiency of sports medicine department operations. Their evaluation should also include their ability to manage these responsibilities effectively.

A. Record-Keeping and Documentation

• Accurate and timely injury reports

• Maintenance of medical records in compliance with regulations

• Organization of rehabilitation and treatment logs

B. Inventory and Equipment Management

• Proper maintenance of medical supplies and equipment

• Budgeting for necessary medical tools

• Ensuring a well-stocked athletic training room

C. Compliance with Institutional and Legal Policies

• Adherence to workplace safety standards

• Understanding and following organizational policies

• Ensuring compliance with state and federal laws

Evaluating an athletic trainer’s administrative effectiveness can be done through audits, supervisor reviews and documentation checks.

Athletic training is an ever-evolving field, requiring professionals to stay updated on the latest research, techniques and technologies. An athletic trainer’s performance evaluation should assess commitment to continuing education and growth. Just like coaches have to evolve and learn new approaches to have successful teams, the athletic trainer has to be a lifelong learner as well. Continuing education should be focused on things that will help the athletic trainer become a better clinician in their setting.

For example, if the athletic trainer spends all their continuing education time in order to learn a procedure that is not legally allowed in the state in which they practice, that is not beneficial for either the athletic trainer or their employer. When evaluating the athletic trainer, the administrator should evaluate the following items as well:

A. Participation in Professional Development Activities

• Attending workshops, conferences and seminars

• Pursuing additional certifications (e.g., manual therapy, dry needling)

• Engaging in peer learning opportunities

B. Research and Evidence-Based Practice

• Implementing new knowledge into daily practice

• Staying informed about advancements in sports medicine

• Applying evidence-based approaches to treatment and rehabilitation

C. Mentorship and Contribution to the Field

• Serving as a mentor to students or junior athletic trainers

• Contributing to research or professional publications

• Involvement in athletic training organizations

Having documentation of continuing education efforts, certifications and training logs that the athletic trainer has can be used to assess an athletic trainer’s commitment to professional growth and whether or not they are trying to improve themselves or simply just checking the box that they completed continuing education.

Athletic trainers play a crucial role in an athlete’s overall experience. One way to check their effectiveness could be measured through the satisfaction of those they serve. Often athletic trainer’s performance evaluations can include direct feedback from athletes, coaches and medical staff.

A. Athlete Feedback

• Comfort level with the AT’s care

• Perceived effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation

• Overall trust and confidence in the athletic trainer

B. Coach and Staff Input

• Ability to work collaboratively with team personnel

• Responsiveness to team needs

• Professionalism in handling athlete injuries

C. Peer and Supervisor Evaluations

• Assessment of teamwork and cooperation

• Ability to handle high-pressure situations

• Contributions to the success of the athletic program

It is important that if surveys, interviews and direct testimonials are used to evaluate the athletic trainer that they be well-written and be asking what the athletic administrator is hoping to discern from having the individual complete it. While this can help gauge satisfaction levels and provide valuable insight into an athletic trainer’s impact, this portion of the evaluation should carry equal weight to the other sections and not be the most important part of the evaluation.

The secondary school certified athletic trainer’s performance evaluation must be thorough, covering clinical skills, communication, professionalism, administrative efficiency, continuing education and stakeholder satisfaction. Each of these areas contributes to the overall effectiveness of an athletic trainer. A well-rounded evaluation not only ensures high standards of care for athletes but also fosters professional growth and improvement among athletic trainers. By implementing a structured and fair assessment system, the school can enhance the quality of athletic training services and better support the health and performance of athletes.