Most schools outsource the service to a place like ST. E or Neacon. No clue how much they pay annually.

 

I don't know if there's an instance of this or not...but, am going off of the question you initially presented, so...

 

What if there is not a convenient place like the two you mentioned that has someone available/willing to come to your school? I would assume this would most likely occur in a rural area, and one that might not be convenient to get to (via interstate), that would make travel more difficult. And if you're having someone drive further/longer, are you probably not going to have to compensate them more than someone who can drive 10 minutes to the school?

 

And, if we are talking about a secluded, rural school, we are probably talking about a school district that does not have a wealth of tax dollars coming in, so there may not be an abundance of funds available. Yes, the head coach may have assistants, but there's a strong possibility that many of them are either a). fans of football, or b.) parents of players. Both of whom may be more likely to do things "for the love of the game", and may not be financially compensated to the same degree that the more urban schools might be able to do.

 

And finally, if you're relying on the local town doctor...that might be fine for game night. But, most medical practices are not closing their doors at 2:30 or 3:00 in the afternoon everyday...so, what do you do for practices immediately after school? The time constraint may hinder your available selection pool of candidates, again, especially in a more rural area.

 

Again, I can't speak to any of the above instances and know for certain that these are true. They're just my initial instinct into why some schools may not be able to have a CAT on staff. It may not make it right, but it is what it is. There may be some things that the school may not have control over.

If even 1 kid is saved (and I know of at least 1 instance from last year) then aren't they worth whatever they cost?

I don't know if there's an instance of this or not...but, am going off of the question you initially presented, so...

 

What if there is not a convenient place like the two you mentioned that has someone available/willing to come to your school? I would assume this would most likely occur in a rural area, and one that might not be convenient to get to (via interstate), that would make travel more difficult. And if you're having someone drive further/longer, are you probably not going to have to compensate them more than someone who can drive 10 minutes to the school?

 

And, if we are talking about a secluded, rural school, we are probably talking about a school district that does not have a wealth of tax dollars coming in, so there may not be an abundance of funds available. Yes, the head coach may have assistants, but there's a strong possibility that many of them are either a). fans of football, or b.) parents of players. Both of whom may be more likely to do things "for the love of the game", and may not be financially compensated to the same degree that the more urban schools might be able to do.

 

And finally, if you're relying on the local town doctor...that might be fine for game night. But, most medical practices are not closing their doors at 2:30 or 3:00 in the afternoon everyday...so, what do you do for practices immediately after school? The time constraint may hinder your available selection pool of candidates, again, especially in a more rural area.

 

Again, I can't speak to any of the above instances and know for certain that these are true. They're just my initial instinct into why some schools may not be able to have a CAT on staff. It may not make it right, but it is what it is. There may be some things that the school may not have control over.

 

Valid questions, Cincy.

 

1. A business will provide the service if there is a need and a paying customer.

2. Funds: Funds are available. It's just a matter of priority.

3. You cannot rely on the town doctor for the reasons you state. It has to be a certified athletic trainer whose sole job is that high school.

The pay scale for a trainer ranges from $25-50K.

 

How do schools handle multiple sports events? Is it the home team's responsibility to have a trainer on hand?

I believe at some point it will be a requirement. Like the NFL, kids are now bigger, faster, and stronger and more serious injuries are going to occur.

Valid questions, Cincy.

 

1. A business will provide the service if there is a need and a paying customer.

2. Funds: Funds are available. It's just a matter of priority.

3. You cannot rely on the town doctor for the reasons you state. It has to be a certified athletic trainer whose sole job is that high school.

 

What is the availability of CATs in some of our more rural areas of the state? Are there enough of them to handle each school?

What is the availability of CATs in some of our more rural areas of the state? Are there enough of them to handle each school?

 

My guess (key) is that they could be found. Chicken and egg thing.

 

Good question.

Valid questions, Cincy.

 

1. A business will provide the service if there is a need and a paying customer.

2. Funds: Funds are available. It's just a matter of priority.

3. You cannot rely on the town doctor for the reasons you state. It has to be a certified athletic trainer whose sole job is that high school.

 

Agree...in theory. However...

 

1. We take for granted (or at least I do in Northern Kentucky), that specialists are always nearby, and therefore their services are readily available. However, where my in-laws live (SE Ky.) going to the nearest hospital can take at least 45 minutes (and usually, closer to an hour). And the roads offer not even close to interstate speeds. So again, it will take more "effort" (ie: money) to likely get someone to go there than it will to the Boone County schools.

 

2. Where do you take the funds from? (And I'm not trying to be a smart alec about this, I'm really curious.) Do the funds for the CAT come out of the same funds that pay the teachers? Do they come out of the athletic funds, since it's technically athletic personel? Or does it come out of the football program's funds, since they're there specifically for that sport? Should the salary be paid for as part of a "fee" for playing football? If so, what happens when you have kids quit/join the team and skew the per player cost?

 

3. When you say their sole job is that high school, are they being paid a full-time salary? If so, what are their duties during non practice/game times? Do their services get "shared" by all other sports programs at the school? What happens when schedules overlap? Do they follow the freshman team to a game, or stay with the varsity squad for practice?

 

Again, I'm not advocating against having a CAT on staff/retainer. I just think it's not always as easily done, as it is said.

What is the availability of CATs in some of our more rural areas of the state? Are there enough of them to handle each school?

 

Pike County has 6 schools. No CAT is driving to Phelps or East Ridge for less than 40k.

In not all but most cases, if a school doesnt have a CAT on site for a game, they normally 1 if not 2 EMT crews on site. While we can argue the credentials of a CAT vs EMT crew, at least it is some form of medical person(s) on site. As for practices, I am not sure what they do/have onsite.

Agree...in theory. However...

 

1. We take for granted (or at least I do in Northern Kentucky), that specialists are always nearby, and therefore their services are readily available. However, where my in-laws live (SE Ky.) going to the nearest hospital can take at least 45 minutes (and usually, closer to an hour). And the roads offer not even close to interstate speeds. So again, it will take more "effort" (ie: money) to likely get someone to go there than it will to the Boone County schools.

 

2. Where do you take the funds from? (And I'm not trying to be a smart alec about this, I'm really curious.) Do the funds for the CAT come out of the same funds that pay the teachers? Do they come out of the athletic funds, since it's technically athletic personel? Or does it come out of the football program's funds, since they're there specifically for that sport? Should the salary be paid for as part of a "fee" for playing football? If so, what happens when you have kids quit/join the team and skew the per player cost?

 

3. When you say their sole job is that high school, are they being paid a full-time salary? If so, what are their duties during non practice/game times? Do their services get "shared" by all other sports programs at the school? What happens when schedules overlap? Do they follow the freshman team to a game, or stay with the varsity squad for practice?

 

Again, I'm not advocating against having a CAT on staff/retainer. I just think it's not always as easily done, as it is said.

 

All good questions.

 

1. Unless there is a severe shortage of ATs(I'm not sure) then I can't imagine in today's economy that none would either go home to where they're from and work OR go TO the area where they can work. I could be naive but if you're an AT looking for a gig....

2. My argument is that every school district has a "pot" of money that they divvy up and , yes, I realize it's shrinking each year. As I said previously it's a matter of priority and I realize it's not an insignificant expense. I would suggest a school district look at each line item - athletic and non-athletic - and prioritize. Yes, hard decisions will have to be made.

3. Unless your AT is an employee of the school (most aren't) then the AT is getting paid by the service they work for which the school contracts with. Benefits are paid by the service and not the school. School pays one fee to the service and the service then pays their employees.

4. I do not know how one AT divvies up their time when there are multiple games and practices on the same day especially if one of the teams is offsite.

5 Your point is valid and well taken. It's not easy. It's just really important.

In not all but most cases, if a school doesnt have a CAT on site for a game, they normally 1 if not 2 EMT crews on site. While we can argue the credentials of a CAT vs EMT crew, at least it is some form of medical person(s) on site. As for practices, I am not sure what they do/have onsite.

 

No question it's better than nothing but in one of the stories last night on CNN and EMT checked the kid and thought he was alright. Unfortunately, he showed signs of a concussion that were missed by someone who is not trained in that key area.

I will clarify a couple of things here regarding athletic trainers in NKY (and surrounding areas).

 

1. The top coverages in NKY are from NovaCare & St. E. In Cincinnati it is NovaCare, Beacon and Wellington (I think I am missing one here).

2. In NKY I think the only school who hired an ATC (Athletic Trainer Certified) within the school is Newport Central Catholic all the others are from either NovaCare or St. E.

3. I am not sure for all schools but I do know all schools who have football have a full time athletic trainer working football who is contracted out to the high school. This is Pendleton Co. 1st year to have an ATC and Bracken Co. does not have one as of yet.

4. Not all schools who have a FT ATC have a FT ATC during other sports (especially during the Spring).

5. The fee to contract from a company like NovaCare & St. E is minimal. They can range from $5,000 - $10,000 (average), depending on the size of the school, referral source and what they are covering (middle school, all sports or just a limited amount of sports). The company pays the ATC's salary and the salary comes from the referral source (kids/families going to physical therapy in their clinics).

6. From my knowledge there is not a shortage of ATCs.

7. In some states it is required to have an ATC for ALL sporting events, games, practices, conditioning. In these cases schools have 2 - 3 on staff and they are employed through the school system and are teachers as well.

I will clarify a couple of things here regarding athletic trainers in NKY (and surrounding areas).

 

1. The top coverages in NKY are from NovaCare & St. E. In Cincinnati it is NovaCare, Beacon and Wellington (I think I am missing one here).

2. In NKY I think the only school who hired an ATC (Athletic Trainer Certified) within the school is Newport Central Catholic all the others are from either NovaCare or St. E.

3. I am not sure for all schools but I do know all schools who have football have a full time athletic trainer working football who is contracted out to the high school. This is Pendleton Co. 1st year to have an ATC and Bracken Co. does not have one as of yet.

4. Not all schools who have a FT ATC have a FT ATC during other sports (especially during the Spring).

5. The fee to contract from a company like NovaCare & St. E is minimal. They can range from $5,000 - $10,000 (average), depending on the size of the school, referral source and what they are covering (middle school, all sports or just a limited amount of sports). The company pays the ATC's salary and the salary comes from the referral source (kids/families going to physical therapy in their clinics).

6. From my knowledge there is not a shortage of ATCs.

7. In some states it is required to have an ATC for ALL sporting events, games, practices, conditioning. In these cases schools have 2 - 3 on staff and they are employed through the school system and are teachers as well.

 

Good info.

Here's a thought: What about a combination school nurse/athletic trainer? Obviously, the more rural areas miss out on having that access to physical therapy clinics and other operations that specialize in athletic training. What if the school nurse(s) was getting a combo degree and could therefore be used for everyday things during the school day and as a trainer during athletic events/practices? Are all schools required to have a school nurse?