Technical Standards

 

Atheletic training students are expected to demonstrate cognitive and physical tasks that may be challenging. The general purpose of the technical standards document is to describe the demands of the ATEP in a manner that allows students to compare their own skills and abilities to the cognitive and physical demands they may face as athletic training students.

This document meets the requirements of the American Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The ADA protects persons with disabilities from discriminatory practices. Students who are accepted to the ATEP are asked to certify their ability to complete the tasks, with our without reasonable accommodations, associated with didactic and clinical performance as an ATS. Reasonable accommodation refers to measures taken by NMSU to assist students with disabilities in accomplishing these tasks ( e.g., providing extra time to complete exams, amplified stethoscopes, or push carts for carrying equipment and supplies to athletic venues). Reasonable accommodation does not mean that students with disabilities will be exempt from certain tasks associated with athletic training. The ATEP faculty and athletic training staff will work with students with disabilities to determine alternative methods of accomplishing tasks. Students with disabilities are not required to disclose the specifics of their disabilities until after they are accepted into the ATEP. Upon acceptance, students with disabilities who wish to have reasonable accommodation must make a formal request to the ATEP director, and be prepared to provide documentation substantiating the disability. A student may be administratively withdrawn from the ATEP if:

1. The student cannot complete essential tasks even with accommodation.
2. The accomodations needed are not reasonable and would cause undue hardship to the university, or
3. Fulfilling the functions creates a significant risk of harm to the health and safety of others.

Students who have questions about this document or who would like to discuss specific accommodations should make an appointment to speak with the ATEP director.

 

Essential Tasks

• The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds.
• Students must be able to read, write, and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice.
• Students must meet requirements for course completion of all curriculum courses.
• Students must possess sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform treatment and rehabilitation activities in class or the clinical setting in a safe and efficient manner.
• Students must possess the mental capacity to gather information during an injury assessment activity without the use of an intermediary, such as a classmate, or Certified Athletic Trainer.
• Students must be able to perform treatment and rehabilitation activities, or must be able to competently describe the desired action to an intermediary for performance in a supervised setting.
• Students are expected to maintain appropriate appearance and hygiene during didactic and clinical experiences.
• Students are to pass CPR for the health care professional course annually.

 

Typical Skills

1. Ability to sit for 1 - 5 hours in a classroom setting, or stand 1 - 5 hours in a clinical setting.
2. Ability to lift 5 - 20 pounds overhead.
3. Ability to carry 10 - 20 pounds up to 100 feet.
4. Ability to move 30 yards across an uneven surface in less than 30 seconds.
5. Ability to use auditory, tactile, and visual senses to perform clinical Assessments.
6. Ability to work within an electrical field.
7. Ability to perceive temperature differences.
8. Ability to control bladder, bowel, and emotions for 1 - 2 hours at a time.
9. Ability to make prompt appropriate decisions in stressful situations.