Clinical Program Information

Overview & Philosophy

Clinical Experience Opportunities

  • Current Clinical Rotations

Clinincal Education Requirements/Anticipatied Costs

Overview & Philosophy

Clinical experiences are an integral part of any athletic training curriculum and the importance of these clinical experiences should be viewed on the same level as the didactic (classroom) portion.  For this reason, all clinical experiences occur as a part of the Clinical Practicum in Athletic Training course sequence and academic credit hours are earned for them. 

These courses invovle clinical education, both in the form of in-class application of integrated care, as well as “real-world” clinical experiences where students engage in supervised clinical practice and gain experience. In order to be well prepared as Athletic Trainers, students must work diligently in the classroom to understand the material presented AND they must also work diligently in the clinical setting to apply their knowledge to real-world clinical situations and to develop a high level of clinical skill. Clinical experiences are NOT “work” experiences. Instead, they are educational experiences where classroom knowledge is applied in real-world settings.

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Clinical Experience Opportunities

As a component of each semester’s Clinical Practicum in Athletic Training course (SES 381, 382, 383, 481, and 482), students typically obtain approximately 20-25 hours per week of clinical athletic training experience.  This experience will provide the athletic training student an opportunity for the practical application of athletic training knowledge and skills, under the direct supervision of preceptor.

The intercollegiate athletic program at UNC consists of 19 sports and related activities that serve as the primary clinical setting. These experiences are supplemented with other approved affiliate settings, including out-patient sports medicine clinics as well as several High School settings. The minimum time period to complete the clinical experience requirements is 2.5 years or 5 consecutive semesters.

Current Clinical Rotations

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Clinical Requirements & Anticipated Costs

The following are requirements of students invovlevd in clcincial education experiences:

Student Liability Insurance

It is a requirement of all athletic training students accepted into the clinical program to purchase student liability insurance upon being admitted to the program. This insurance would cover you for all supervised activities related to your athletic training education.  You may purchase liability insurance at either of the sites below. If you are covered under any other plan you must get it approved by the program director.

Links to the Purchase of Student Liability Insurance:

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Hepatitis B Vaccination

It is strongly recommended that all students in the clinical athletic training program have and provide documentation of a Hepatitis B vaccination. This is for your own personal health protection.

Hepatitis B vaccination requires a series of three injections. The first is followed by a second one month later; followed by a third five months after the second.

The cost of this is at the student's expense. Approximate cost is $150.00. Some health insurance policies may cover this.

The following sources may be of assistance to you in receiving this vaccination:

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Bloodborne Pathogen Education & Training

In compliance with  the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations, all invovled in the UNC ATEP are expected to follow and abide by the policies and procedures outline when dealing with blood and bodily fluids.  Workshops and in-services are provided each semester to keep you informed and up to date with current information.  

Failure to comply, and abide by the procedures outlined in the following pages can result in probation and/or removal from the program, and may affect your clinical practicum grade. Remember these policies are for your safety and protection.

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Emergency Cardiac Care

All students engaging in clinical education experiences are required to have and maintain current certification in Emergency Cardiac Care.   Failure to do so will result in the removal of a student from a clinical experience and may create means for probation &/or disenrollment from the education program.  Costs associated with certification are the responsibility of the student.

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ATrack Online Access

The UNC ATEP has chosen to utilize ATrack Online as its athletic training student tracking program.  As such, all necessary hour logs, evaluation tools, clinical proficiency test data and other programmatic data will be entered and stored there.  Students are required to have access to their individual account.  Free access is granted to all paid members of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).  Should a student not wish to join the NATA, that student must purchase a subscription to ATrack.  Costs associated with access to ATrack are the responsibility of the student.

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Travel to Clinical & Affiliate Sites

While the majority of clinical experiences will take place on the UNC campus, there will be times during which a student is required to engage in clinical experiences off campus.  It is the responsibly of the student to provide for transportation to and from those clinical experiences.  Costs associated with that transportation will be the responsibility of the student.

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Additional Costs

The majority of the costs associated with supplies essential to the educational process will be assumed by the ATEP.  However, there may be costs associated with other items including but not limited to appropriate clothing, personal supplies & equipment (fanny packs, scissors, etc.), memberships to affiliate organizations, and other identified requirements of a clinical site (background checks, immunizations, etc.).  Those costs will be the responsibility of the student.

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