Recertfication Announcement

RECERTIFICATION ANNOUNCEMENTS: WHAT’S NEW IN 2012 and 2014

IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 21, 2011 – Omaha, NE –The Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) has revised the 2012 recertification requirements for BOC Certified Athletic Trainers (ATs).  Recertification requirements outline the commitment for ATs to maintain their BOC certification.  These requirements include completing continuing education (CE), meeting emergency cardiac care (ECC) requirements, submitting the BOC recertification fee and adhering to the BOC Standards of Professional Practice.

The following revisions will strengthen the entire certification program:

• Certification Statuses – The nine current statuses will be replaced by four simple statuses: Certified, Expired, Suspended and Revoked.  Due to the elimination of the Inactive status, the BOC will no longer accept inactive status applications.  These changes will be reflected in the new Professional Practice and Disciplinary Guidelines and Procedures, which will be updated on the BOC website in early 2012.  View details at www.bocatc.org.
• Recertification Deadline – The BOC is eliminating staggered CE reporting and returning to one common expiration date for AT recertification.  Please note that ATs with a 2011 expiration date are still required to complete and report required CE by the end of 2011.  ATs with an expiration date of 2012, 2013 or 2014 will soon have a new expiration date of 12/31/2013.
• CE Reporting – The current CE categories A, B, C and D and calculation of CEUs will not be changing.  However, ATs will see a new form simplifying CE reporting.

• Recertification Fee – This change was announced in April 2011.  National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) members will receive a discount if they pay the BOC recertification fee with their NATA membership dues at the time of NATA renewal.  The discounted 2012 BOC recertification fee is $34, and the non-discounted 2012 BOC recertification fee is $50.
• In preparation for 2014 recertification requirements, the BOC is announcing plans to move from a 3-year reporting period to a 2-year reporting period.  Currently, ATs are required to report 75 continuing education units (CEUs) every 3 years.  Beginning 1/1/2014, ATs will be required to report 50 CEUs every 2 years.  Review the chart online called "Looking Ahead to 2014" for further details.

The BOC, a national credentialing agency, has been certifying Athletic Trainers and identifying, for the public, quality healthcare professionals with certainty since 1969.  More than 39,000 individuals have earned the ATC^® credential worldwide.  The BOC is headquartered at 1415 Harney Street, Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68102.  For more information, call (877) 262-3926 or visit the BOC website at www.bocatc.org.

Constitutional Amendment

Good Morning NE Ohio,

I hope this finds everyone well and looking forward to warmer temperatures and dryer days.

I wanted to let everyone know about the new OATA constitutional amendments that have been introduced. The first deals with the current External Vice-President into two separate positions - an elected Vice-President position and an appointed liaison position to GLATA. This change would go into effect at the end of the December 2011 Executive Committee meeting. This constitutional amendment would then rename the External VP to Vice-President of Intra-Association Affairs and the Renaming of the Internal VP to Vice-President of Governmental Affairs - this renaming would then go into effect immediately upon passage. The second constitutional amendment, that has been introduced, would remove the reference of "Roberts Rules of Order" when discussing how meetings will be run and will be replaced with "in accordance with the OATA Operations Manual".

Both of these changes have the ability to make our state association become a more efficient and well run organization. By splitting the EVP position into a VP and a separate GLATA rep, the association will enjoy the ability of the new VP of Intra-Association Affairs to deal with more than just GLATA and really steer new relationships to help both the organization and athletic training in the state of Ohio. This split will also allow the new GLATA rep the freedom to concentrate on the growing information and responsibility of representing Ohio to our region. By concentrating on the GLATA responsibilities the association will be represented well without the worry of losing touch with our new relationships and unions. This non-voting appointment will truly represent Ohio and keep true the statement "As Ohio goes so does the nation".

The second constitutional amendment is truly an amendment to help the association and all of its parts work at the most efficient level possible. Roberts Rules, as they are written are a highly organized and laborious way to conduct meetings. Through the use of Roberts Rules organizations have been bound to every nuance and level of the meeting rules. Unfortunately to know the use and require it to be utilized as it is intended requires a very long and arduous study of the rules. This being said, the organization as it is now needs to have the ability to move quickly and yet still adhere to rules that allow for meetings to be conducted in a highly organized manner. By moving this out of the bylaws and into the operations manual the association will capitalize on the ability to move quickly and still allow for highly organized meeting structures. This change does not get rid of the meeting organization, it allows for the freedom and ability to change and update our structures without missing a beat.

Both changes are good for the association and in such should be voted for to allow the association to move forward and be in the position to continue to lead as Ohio has always done.

Have a great day and be careful out there. 

OATA Member Highlights

Good Afternoon!

It is my intention to start highlighting different OATA members. This is an opportunity for all of us to tell our fellow ATs how much you appreciate their work. If you have someone you would like to see highlighted please email me at atcoata@gmail.com, or just post it right on our blog. It would be great if we could highlight someone each day.

We are a profession not like any other and in that we should rejoice for our differences. Everyday, athletic trainers take the time to care for and heal their patients, it is time to really look around at each other and tell each other how much we appreciate the many varied and talented ATs that are in our profession. 

Thank an AT today!

HB 143 - Youth Sports Unveiled

Contact:
(c) : 216-513-6962; president@oata.org
Hollie Kozak, M.Ed, AT – President The Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association Supports HB143 – Youth Sports Injuries
The Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association supports HB 143, which was introduced today by Representatives Stinziano (D) and O’Brien (D). The Concussion/Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) legislation as proposed would require both school sponsored sports and youth sports organizations to adhere to certain requirements for the appropriate evaluation of head injuries and concussions before an athlete is permitted to return to participation.

The OATA is honored to be a part of the group of healthcare providers who have provided input to develop the legislation. We commend Dr. Kelsey Logan from Ohio State Sports Medicine for her leadership in spearheading this legislation along with the cooperation and support of The Brain Injury Association of Ohio for their leadership related to this legislation.

Hollie Kozak, President of the OATA stated, "Last year we worked closely with the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) related to Concussion/TBI management and guidelines. We are excited that we will now be able to expand this effort to ALL youth sports programs to provide a means of education, accountability and safety for youth participating in sports."

"It comes down to youth sports safety", states Dr. Kelsey Logan, member of the OATA Physician’s Advisory Committee and Ohio State Sports Medicine, "We have to protect our children and provide for the best possible safeguards. Oftentimes concussions are overlooked because there is no noticeable swelling, bruising, x-rays showing an injury."
Dr. Tom Pommering, Medical Director for Nationwide Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine Program reminds everyone that "just because the athlete did not lose consciousness or their MRI or CT Scan was negative does not mean that they did not sustain a concussion." Pommering adds, "Symptoms of a concussion may be more subtle and may not present themselves at first."

"It is important to note that studies have shown that adolescents’

As advocates for the health and safety of those who participate in sports at all levels, the OATA believes in a statewide education initiative to help educate parents, coaches, officials and athletes about concussion signs, symptoms, and return to play guidelines. HB 143 will provide a comprehensive education effort and training for parents, athletes, coaches and officials on the signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury and concussions.

"Care of injuries and return to play (RTP) decisions are best handled by qualified healthcare professionals rather than being relegated to coaches, parents, school or recreation administrators. We believe that a combination of set guidelines, as well as education across the state related to injury recognition and prevention will reduce the long term effects of injuries, aid in their prevention. In addition, this removes the liability of coaches, parents and administrators from making health care decisions they are ill-prepared to make", states Dr. Jason Dapore, Team Physician for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ohio Health and member of the OATA Physician Advisory Committee.
For more information about the OATA, go to www.oata.org. For more information related to concussions, visit www.cdc.gov brains may require several weeks to heal following a concussion; and that the younger the athlete, the longer recovery takes. Studies also show that symptoms tend to worsen with physical and cognitive exertion, therefore special attention needs to be made to insure that adequate rest is afforded before resuming sports participation," states Dr. Tom Bartsokas, Sports Medicine Physician at Summa Health System and OATA Physician Advisory Committee member.

Concussion Legislation

Good Morning Everyone!

I wanted to start by letting everyone know about the new concussion legislation that was introduced yesterday. This house bill, supported by the collaboration of the OATA, the Ohio American Academy of Pediatrics (OAAP), Ohio Brain Injury Association (OBIA), Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ohio Children’s Hospitals Association, along with Representatives Michael Stinziano and Sean O’Brien, was developed to introduce Concussion/Traumatic Brain Injury legislation for youth sports. The OATA is honored to be a part of the coalition of health care providers related to this Concussion/Traumatic Brain Injury Legislation for youth sports safety. This exciting legislation will be a new testament to our commitment to all of our youth in every sport.

The house bill, which has not been assigned a number yet, will be able to be read online by the end of the week. The information that follows gives some of the highlighted details concerning what the legislation entails.

Concussion/Traumatic Brain Injury Legislation for Youth Sports Safety

March 2011

·         The Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association supports the new HB , which requires both school sponsored sports and youth sports organizations to adhere to certain requirements for the appropriate evaluation of head injuries and concussions before an athlete is permitted to return to participation.

·         Legislation revises provisions of Ohio law with regard to head injuries and concussions in athletics and youth sports.

Following are some of the important aspects in the bill that protect youth athletes:

Defines Youth Sports Organizations:

·         Group that organizes athletic activity for athletes nineteen or younger.

·         Pays a fee to participate in athletics or cost is sponsored by business or nonprofit organization.

Coach Certification Requirements:

·         Requires a coach for a youth sport organization MUST hold a pupil activity permit (PAP) for coaching interscholastic athletics.

·         Creates a new curriculum for the PAP to include information focused on brain trauma and brain injury management.

Participation in Athletics and Youth Sports Organizations:

·         Requires a signed form by parent and student confirming receipt of concussion and head injury information sheet.

·         A coach is required to remove a student on the suspicion of a concussion or head injury.

·         Student cannot return to practice or competition on the same day a head injury occurs.

·         To return to participation, physician or licensed athletic trainer must assess student and provide written clearance.

Regulation by the Ohio Department of Health:

·         Oversee the program.

·         Create concussion and head injury sheet for interscholastic athletics and youth sports organizations to inform and educate coaches, parents, and athletes of risks.

·         Update the information sheet annually and make it available online.

·         Develop a free online training program and in recognizing and evaluating concussions and head injuries for coaches and youth sports organizations.

Include certification of successful completion of training

Stay safe and have a great day!

A story to share.....

Week one is done and I have heard fom numerous people about athletic trainers. I am very happy to to hear all the stories. One of those stories is below.

Shared from a grateful parent - "my son had his leg broken (the tibia snapped completely in half) on Aug. 28 during an aggressive soccer game. Our athletic trainer (at OHS) was fabulous! He helped with rehab, kept my son motivated, and helped me contact the trainer's supervisor and discuss the issue in an "informed" way. Props to Trainer Dave at OHS - he's a keeper! Trainer Dave gave my son enough confidence to keep looking at college soccer - and not give up, just because he had the break during his junior year. :)  Props to Trainer Dave at OHS - he's a keeper!"

I also wanted to share with you that the first Legends of Sports Medicine award was given by Akron Childrens Hospital this weekend. CONGRATULATIONS to Don Marshall for the award and all of your accomplishments throughout your career!!!!!!! Thank you for your dedication and your mentorship to so many certified athletic trainers.

I want to thank everyone that commented on facebook and other places. It has been a good first week of National Athletic Trainers' Month. Keep your comments and stories coming.

Have a great night!

March 1st

Today is the beginning of National Athletic Training Month. Theresa Neuhoff has written an article about athletic training in the News Hearld of Lake County. Thank you Theresa for highlighting athletic training.

http://news-herald.com/articles/2011/03/01/sports/nh3704792.txt

What other articles are out there highlighting athletic training? Post them to our blog and help us share our collective story.