Athletic Training

Vision

The Athletic Training Program at the University of Dubuque shall provide injury prevention, care, and rehabilitation services of recognized excellence to the student athletes with in the Athletics Department. The Athletic Training Program is committed to provide the best possible quality care that reflects the philosophical excellence of the university.

Mission

The Athletic Training Program’s primary mission at the University of Dubuque is to provide quality medical care to the student athletes within the Athletic Department. The services to be delivered can be broken down into three primary types: injury prevention, management of athletic injuries, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. We are committed to using whatever technology is available and affordable in the delivery of these services. We will remain committed to the continuous upgrade of the equipment used in the delivery of sports medicine services so our athletes can be assured of the most modern care available.

We intend to fulfill our mission statement by:

• Creating a comfortable caring environment within the athletic training facility.
• Assuring that each physician, staff member, and student athletic trainer maintains a pleasant, caring, and professional attitude consistent with the National Athletic Trainers Association Code of Professional Practice.
• Maintaining and operating our athletic training facility in an organized and efficient manner.
• Assuring that our emergency procedures are safe, efficient, and expedient.
• Assuring that each athlete is carefully counseled regarding their injury or illness and options are explained when appropriate.
• Philosophically providing all athletes with the opportunity to see a physician if he or she makes this request to a certified staff member.
• Insuring that student athletic trainers are properly trained and knowledgeable regarding basic care and treatment of injuries.
• Insuring that each athlete has the best possible opportunity to participate in intercollegiate athletics in a physically healthy environment.

The underlying philosophy for this program, is that the medical needs of the student athlete shall always be the first consideration for all members of our staff. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association Code of Ethics states the principles of ethical behavior should be followed in the practice of athletic training.  It is intended to establish and maintain high standards and professionalism for the athletic training profession.

The principles do not cover every situation encountered by the practicing athletic trainer, but are representative of the spirit with which athletic trainers should make decisions.  The principles are written generally; the circumstances of a situation will determine the interpretation and application of a given principle and of the Code as a whole.  When a conflict exists between the Code and the law, the law prevails.

The training room rules are as follows:

SIGN IN FOR TREATMENT
NO CLEATS OR SPIKES IN THE TRAINING ROOM
ALL GAME AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT/BELONGINGS ARE TO BE KEPT OUTSIDE
KEEP SHOES OFF THE TREATMENT TABLES
NO TOBACCO
NO PROFANITY
NO ROUGH HOUSING
SHOWER BEFORE TREATMENT
NO EATING IN THE TREATMENT AREA(S)

All training room equipment is signed out by the student-athlete and will be billed to the athlete if not returned at the end of the season. 

Facilities:

Location

The athletic training room is located on the lower level of Stoltz Sports Center, which is located on McCormick Street.  A secondary athletic training room is located on the ground floor of the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center.

For football games we will set up a satellite athletic training room for your use.  You will have access to (4) treatment/taping tables, a warm hydroculator unit, ultrasound machines, electric stim machines and ice.  There will be a cooler(s) of water in your team’s meeting room as well as a cooler with bagged ice.  If there is anything else you may need please contact us and we will try to arrange it.

Sideline Supplies

On your sideline we will provide: table(s), cooler(s) of water, cups, ice and radio communication to the home sideline when appropriate.  Crutches, AED and other emergency equipment will be on the field/home sidelines. There will be an ambulance present for all home football games.

Teams Traveling Without a Certified Athletic Trainer

We ask that for those teams traveling without a certified athletic trainer, a phone call, e-mail or letter be sent to us detailing the desired taping/treatments.  We will be happy to assist your athletes as long as all necessary supplies are provided and time allows.

If you have any questions feel free to contact us at 563.589.3244

Equipment

The facility is equipped with 4 treatment tables, a taping station, warm hydroculator units, ultrasound machines, electric stim machines, crushed and cubed ice machines and a small whirlpool. 

Emergency equipment consists of vacuum splints, crutches, AED’s, oropharyngeal airways and bag valve masks.

Hours of Operation

During the school year, the athletic training room is generally staffed from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.  These hours may change due to practice changes and game coverage.

Visiting Athletic Trainers - On behalf of the University of Dubuque Athletic Department, we would like to welcome you and your team to the Dubuque area.  In order to make your visit run as smoothly as possible, we want to provide you with some general information and a list of phone numbers that may be of use to you and your staff.
 

Policies and Procedures

Medical Clearance

1.  All first year participants in intercollegiate athletics at UD must have a completed physical exam (PPE) performed by a medical physician (MD/DO), physician's assistant, or a nurse practitioner (under the direction of a physician).  Also, a baseline SCAT test is required, which can be done by the physician who preformed the PPE or will be done by a Certified Athletic Trainer when you arrive on campus.  The athletic PPE must be done after June 1 of the incoming academic year.

EXCEPTIONS!

a.  UD Medical Questionnaire Physical Exam Form is the only form accepted.

b.  Intercollegiate Athletic PPE must be completed by a physician (MD/DO), physician's assistant, or a nurse practitioner (under the direction of a physician)

c.  Sickle cell testing is required as indicated on the PPE, proof must be attached to the PPE

Proof can be obtained:
Birth records (heel prick as an infant)...hemaglobinopathy, sickle cell, etc...
New test if birth records cannot be found

d.  HMG/HCT testing is required as indicated on the PPE

e.  PPE will not be accepted on other forms or if performed by Chiroprators.

f.    Intercollegiate Athletic Assumption of Risk & University's Waiver and Release Consent Form must be completed (last page of PPE).

2.  All returning participants in intercollegiate athletics mist complete the Returning Athlete Questionnaire PRIOR to NCAA rules.  NO EXCEPTIONS!

3.  All student-athletes each year must complete and return the Emergency and Medical Information form; including a copy of their medical insurance card to the Medical Coordinator by August 1st of each academic year.

4.  The University of Dubuque Team Physicians and Athletic Training Staff make FINAL MEDICAL CLEARANCE.  NO participation is allowed until medical clearance is officially authorized and NCAA rules have been completed.

 UD Athletic Insurance

1.  Your health insurance is considered the primary insurance and all medical bills with be submitted to your insurance.

2.  UD carries a Secondary athletic insurance policy for UD athletic related injuries

3.  After your bills have been submitted to your insruance carrier and returned to you, the bills and explanations of benefits (EOBs) should be submitted to the Medical Coordinator or to the Secondary Medical Insurance.

4.  In order for an athletic injury to be submitted to the Secondary insurance carrier, the injury must be evaluated by the Athletic Training staff immediately.

5.  UD Athletic Insurance has a $500 deductible per injury.  If this deductible is not met by payment of medical bills through your personal insurance, you will be responsible for payment of the balance up to $500 prior to UD athletic insurance being initiated for payment.  UD athletic insurance will not pay any medical bills until the deductible is met.

  

Injury and Illness

The student-athlete is responsible for reporting all injuries and illnesses to the athletic training room for treatment or referral on the day of occurance.  The Medical Coordinator will make all necessary medical referrals.  The student-athlete is not permitted to seek medical attention without prior authorization except in case of an emergency.

If you choose to get a second opinion without prior approval, you are financially responsible and the UD Medical Team will have FINAL clearance for participation.  You will also be required to take a Physician Referral form.

Athletic Training Room Procedures

1.  Report All injuries and illnesses immediately to the Athletic Training Staff.  Early treatment of injuries can keep you playing.

2.  Check-in daily for ALL injury evaluations, treatments, taping and wound care (if rehad is required must show up in an appropriate time frame.  For example, all treatment must be completed 15 minutes before the start of practice time.)

3.  Atheltic Training coverage will be provided on site at games and practices by both Certified Athletic Trainers and Student Athletic Trainers as designated by the Certified Athletic Training Staff.

4.  Injuries will be evaluated and the course of treatment will be determined at that time.

5.  Injuries will be treated/rehabilitated in the athletic training room by Certified Athletic Training Staff.

6.  If you have an illness or skin condidtion report to Medical Coordinator early in the morning so appropriate appointment can be scheduled in a timely manner.

  

Athletic Training Room Rules

1.  Wear gym trunks or shorts and shirts at all times in the athletic training room.  Do not wear or bring equipment into the athletic training room.

2.  Athletes are expected to stay out of supplies in the athletic training room.  DO NOT HELP YOURSELF!  If you need something please ASK.  Do not give yourself treatment.  Do not tamper with therapeutic equipment, rehabilitaion equipment and/or supplies.

3.  No self-treatments or taping will be permitted.

4.  When you being treatment and rehabilitation for an injury, you will continue treatment daily until you are released by the athletic trainer or physician.

5.  Student-Athletes are expected to shower after practice before entering the athletic training room for post-practice treatment.  This will be enforced.

6.  Avoid horseplay, inappropriate language and unnecessary confusion.  If you want to be treated like an adult, then you must act like an adult.  Treat the staff with courtesy and respect, and you will be treated the same.

7.  No cell phones or electronic devices allowed, unless a family emergency.

8.  No spikes or any type of cleats are allowed in the athletic training room.

9.  No chewing, spitting or tobacco products are allowed in the athletic training room.

10.  No food or drink is allowed in the athletic training room.

11.  Mouth guards are required for football and lacrosse and highly recommended for all other contact/high risk sports.  If a dental injury is sustained during practice or competition and you are not wearing a mouth guard, our secondary school insurance will not cover any expenses incurred and you will be responsible for all medical bills associated with the injury.  It is important that you wear one, as it could possibly prevent head and dental injuries.

12.  An injury is not an excuse for missing practice.  If possible, all treatment and rehabilitation must be done prior to practice or after practice.  Only those student-athletes with injuries who have been cleared for treatment and rehabilitation during practice by the Medical Coordinator or Athletic Trainer are allowed to miss practice.

Note: An injury for which you are received treatment in the athletic training room is not an excuse to be late to practice or competition.

Treatment must be completed before or after practice or competition.

Treatments

The athletic training room policy is first come, first serve for all student-athletes.  It is impossible to get you on the field or court if you come in 15 minutes before practice or competition.  As a student-athlete you are expected to arrive early enough to complete the entire treatment/rehab program before practice.  Do not use treatment as an excuse for being late.  You are required to be at treatment times unless discontinued by Athletic Training Staff.

Note: Failure to report for treatments and rehabilitation will be interpreted as individuals' unwillingness to return to participation.  These situations will be reported on the coaches injury report. 

  

Referral to Outside Medical Services

All student-athletes who are deemed necessary to attain care from a medical source outside of the athletic training room must do the following:

1.  Be evaluated by a Certified Athletic Trainer

2.  Be referred by a Certified Athletic Trainer to the Medical Coordinator for referral to an outside medical service.

3.  Take referral form to all medical, dental, eye, etc... appointments and return to the Medical Coordinator.

Note: if the preceding steps are not preformed UD's athletic insurance will not pay and the Sports Medicine/Athletic Training Staff will not be able to maintain adequate records and monitor your progress.