Scope of Practice

The Athletic Training staff and sports medicine support staff will provide the following services in accordance to the guidelines set forth by the NATA and the Florida Health Department.

Athletic Trainers will provide the student-athlete with primary medical care.  All illnesses and injuries will be dealt with through the sports medicine department and referred to our team physicians as the illness/injury warrants.  The ATC will provide evaluation:  patient history, subjective information recording, objective information recording, assessment, and a plan of care. The ATC will provide treatment/rehabilitation:  plan and assist in attaining short and long term goals for return to play, including therapeutic exercise (land and water based), therapeutic modalities, administering NSAIDs and analgesics, and referral to physician as necessary.  Athletic Trainers will act as a Physician Extender, caring out the medical orders of our team physicians and performing tasks such as suture removal, fluoroscopy, casting, bracing.

Athletic Trainers will provide the Athletic Staff and immediate family with primary evaluation and referral to our team physicians.  These appointments will be made on a first come, first serve basis and must be made with a certified athletic trainer.  The ATC will act as a Physician Extender to the athletic staff, and their immediate family, caring out the medical orders of the team physicians.

Facilities

USF Sports Medicine Athletic Training Clinic
Location: The Sports Medicine Clinic is located on the ground floor of the Main Athletics Training Facility.
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday; 8:00am – 6:00pm (unless otherwise posted)
Phone: (813) 974-0514

Sun Dome Athletic Training Room (Satellite facility only)
Location: The Sun Dome facility is location on the lower level between entries one and four.
Hours of Operation: Basketball and Volleyball pre/post practice and competition only
Phone: (813) 974-2506

Facility rules:

• All athletes must shower before entering the athletic training room after practice or game.
• No foul language
• No horseplay
• No food or drink
• No cell phones
• No bare feet. Shoes or flip-flops must be worn at all times
• Bring your own towel when utilizing the hydrotherapy area
• Tops and bottoms must be worn into and out of the hydrotherapy area
• No spandex clothing warn during treatments and rehabs ( must wear loose clothing over)
• No shoes on tables
• No cleats
• Short and t-shirt must be worn at all times during treatment
• No loitering
• No harassing other athletes, sports medicine staff members, or athletic training students
• No shirts, hats, pants, etc…. with school names or logos other than USF

Operational Policies

Medical Care

Sports medicine personnel will provide medical care to all student-athletes for any illness or injury while directly participating is sanctioned athletic practices or intercollegiate competitions sponsored by the Athletic Department.

Medical Eligibility

All student-athletes who desire to participate in intercollegiate athletics MUST complete a comprehensive medical questionnaire and a physical examination provided by the sports medicine staff or designee. Medical clearance must be obtained from the team physician before an athlete is permitted to participate in any athletic event. The team physician may re-examine and change the student-athlete eligibility status at any time.

Insurance Coverage

An insurance form will be provided along with the pre participation packet forms to be completed by the student-athlete’s parents or guardian. Failure to complete and return the form by the requested date will jeopardize eligibility for athletic competition and practice.

The insurance plan utilized by the Intercollegiate Athletic Department is designed as a supplement to the student-athletes medical coverage. The University of South Florida will be the secondary carrier in all claims. If any portion is not covered by the student-athletes family insurance, the balance will be paid by the intercollegiate Athletic Department plan. Therefore, there are no out-of-pocket costs for the student-athlete and his/her parent for an athletic-related injury.

If the student-athlete is covered under an HMO insurance plan, changing the primary care provider to a USF team physician will expedite health care.

The athletic department recommends that student-athletes carry accident/illness insurance while attending the university. Student insurance is available through Student Government and can be obtained for a fee. This insurance will cover those illnesses/injuries not related to athletic events.

International students are required by the Board of Trustees to carry medical insurance.
           
Medical Expense Coverage

The following are expenses that are not covered by the Athletic Department:

• Medical services for illness or injuries that are non-athletic in nature (these include, but are not limited to, pregnancy, cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, mental health, etc…)
• Medical services or insurance coverage for illness or injury after completion of student-athlete’s participation/eligibility. The Athletic Department is not responsible for recurring injuries after release by the physician or departmental insurance expirations.
• Normal dental care such as cleanings and congenital abnormalities.
• Contacts lenses or glasses, unless specified for athletic participation by team physician and approved by the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine.
• Immunizations for pre-existing medical conditions
• Medications for pre-existing medical conditions.
• Injuries/illnesses that occurred prior to enrolling at USF.
• Injuries reported after seven days from the injury-producing accident

Prescriptions

If you are given a prescription for an injury or illness suffered during a sanctioned practice or game, you must bring it to a Sports Medicine staff member for authorization to have it filled. If authorization is not received, you will be responsible for payment.

Reporting an Injury

Report injuries immediately after practice (report to coach if a Certified Athletic Trainer is not present). If an injury develops after the facility hours, report the injury immediately the following day. If it is an emergency situation call 911 then contact your team certified Athletic Trainer).

Treatments of Injuries

All treatments and rehabilitations will be administered by USF Certified Athletic Trainers and support staff. No treatments will be given during practice. You are expected to be at all practices and workouts. Treatments or rehabilitation must be scheduled with your team Certified Athletic Trainer or Staff member. If you are unable to make a scheduled appointment, you must contact your team Certified Athletic Trainer or Staff member One hour prior to reschedule. Not showing up for a scheduled treatment or rehabilitation is the same as not showing up to a practice or game. No shows will be documented and reported to the Head Coach. After a series of consecutive misses, no show will be reported to the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, and proper disciplinary actions will be taken.

Physician Appointments

The Certified Athletic Trainer will refer student-athletes to an appropriate doctor if the case warrants further medical treatment or examination. Athletes are responsible for getting to and from all appointments. Being late or missing a Doctor’s appointment incontinences all parties involved (coach, athlete, USF Sports Medicine staff, and physicians) and could cost the loss of the physician’s services. This will not be tolerated!!

The Athletic Department will not assume responsibility for fees the student-athlete may incur with outside physicians, dentist, or health care facilities/providers, unless sports medicine personnel have referred for such services. The student-athlete must also receive permission for any follow-up visits or second opinions, which are permitted and encouraged, however, additional fees incurred by physicians outside the insurance network will be the responsibility of the student-athlete.

Exit Physical Examination

Student-athletes must complete a post-season check after the last competitive season. Injuries reported after this exit physical are the responsibility of the student-athlete. It is the responsibility of the exiting student-athlete to schedule their exit physical with their team Athletic Trainer. USF secondary insurance covers any athletic injury up to two years following the injury date if filed within 30 days of initial injury.