64B33-4.001. Protocols; Scope of Practice

(1) A licensed athletic trainer shall apply principles, methods and procedures within the domains established by the Board of Certification that provide the foundation of the scope of the athletic trainer’s practice.

(a) Risk Reduction, Wellness, and Health Literacy;

(b) Assessment, Evaluation, and Diagnosis;

(c) Critical Incident Management;

(d) Therapeutic Intervention;

(e) Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility.

(2) A licensed athletic trainer shall apply the following principles, methods and/or procedures within the scope of the profession:

(a) Rehabilitation through the use of safe and appropriate physical rehabilitation practices, including those techniques and procedures following injury or illness and recovery that restore and maintain normal function status;

(b) Application of principles and methods related to strength training, cardiovascular fitness, and performance enhancement;

(c) Performance of tests and measurements to prevent, evaluate, clinically diagnose, treat, and monitor acute and chronic injuries, illnesses, or conditions;

(d) Selection of preventive and supportive devices, temporary splinting and bracing, protective equipment, taping, strapping, and other devices or techniques to protect an injury or condition, facilitate ambulation and restore normal functioning;

(e) Organization and administration including the development and implementation of strategies and procedures to minimize risk and to promote safety and wellness;

(f) Recognition of factors related to injuries, illnesses, and conditions within the scope of the profession as well as correcting or modifying inappropriate, unsafe, or dangerous activity;

(g) Design, review and/or revise policies and procedures related to prevention, care, and rehabilitation as well as emergency action plans to guide appropriate patient care, establish a sound, unified response to events, and to optimize outcomes overall;

(h) Implementation of appropriate emergency and immediate care procedures to reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality, including core temperature assessment and the application of devices used in emergency care (e.g. tourniquet, airway adjuncts);

(i) Implementation of systematic, evidence-based examinations and assessments within the scope of the profession to ensure appropriate care, referral and course of action;

(j) Education and counseling regarding wellness, the prevention of injury, illness, or conditions, and clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of care within the scope of the profession;

(k) Creating, maintaining, and completing patient care and administrative documentation consistent with professional practice guidelines or requirements;

(l) Knowledge of professional standards of practice and ethics, and ensure those standards are implemented as part of an athletic trainer’s duties and responsibilities;

(m) Knowledge of basic business principles, policies and procedures, organizational, and resource management.

(n) Education and guidance regarding nutrition (e.g. supplements, hydration, and dietary recommendations) for safe participation in activity and recovery following an injury, illness, or condition;

(o) Administer over-the-counter medications for patients 18 years old or older, in accordance with manufacturer instructions, to treat symptoms associated with recognized injury, illness, or conditions.

(3) For treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries or conditions and to maintain normal function status, the athletic trainer may utilize the following therapeutic interventions:

(a) Therapeutic Exercise;

(b) Manual therapy techniques (e.g. myofacial decompression, muscle energy, massage, joint and soft tissue mobilization treatment with or without instrument assistance);

(c) Mechanical Devices (e.g., continuous passive motion, isokinetics, treadmill with or without differential air pressure, blood flow restriction, and traction);

(d) Cryotherapy (e.g., ice, cold packs, cold water immersion, spray coolants, cold compression devices);

(e) Thermotherapy (e.g., topical analgesics, moist/dry hot packs, heating pads, paraffin bath);

(f) Other therapeutic agents with the properties of water (e.g., whirlpool); electricity (e.g., electrical stimulation, diathermy); light (e.g., infrared, ultraviolet, laser therapy); air (e.g. intermittent or sustained compression); or sound (e.g., ultrasound, shockwave therapy).

(4) The athletic trainer may apply topical prescription medications (e.g., steroid, analgesic, or anti-inflammatory preparation for phonopheresis or iontophoresis) at the direction of a physician.

(5) The athletic trainer may administer emergency prescription medications and treatments (e.g. Epi-pen, asthma inhaler, Oxygen, insulin, glucose) at the direction of a physician.

(6) The athletic trainer may treat an abnornal acute or chronic joint dislocation injury using joint reduction techniques at the direction of a physician.

(7) The athletic trainer may implement wound management techniques for debridement and closure at the direction of a physician.

(8) The athletic trainer may administer monofilament intramuscular stimulation treatment for trigger points or myofacial pain at the direction of a physician.

(9) The athletic trainer may perform or obtain the necessary and appropriate diagnostic or laboratory tests (e.g. imaging, blood work, urinalysis, electrocardiogram) to facilitate diagnosis, referral, and treatment planning at the direction of a physician.

(10) A licensed athletic trainer shall report new or recurring injuries or conditions to a physician in the manner requested by the physician.

(11) Nothing herein shall be constued to prevent a person from administering standard first aid treatment. In the absence of a physician being available at a practice, competitive event, or other setting where a licensed athletic trainer is present, the licensed athletic trainer may provide first aid and preventative measures and implement appropriate procedures and strategies for transport and/or referral to a physician’s office, hospital, or other healthcare facility.

(12) Nothing herein shall be construed to limit the physical locations or facilities at which the athletic trainer may provide the services identified herein.

(13) A licensed athletic trainer shall maintain the following regarding the standards of practice:

(a) A licensed athletic trainer shall neither practice nor condone discrimination on the basis or race, creed, national origin, sex, age, handicap, disease entity; social status, financial status or religious affliation;

(b) A licensed athletic trainer shall provide competent care consistent with both the requirements and the limitation of the athletic training profession;

(c) A licensed athletic trainer shall comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws;

(d) A licensed athletic trainer shall preserve the confidentiality of privileged information and shall not release such information to a third party not involved in the patient’s care unless the patient consents to such release or release is permitted or required by law;

(e) A licensed athletic trainer shall report illegal or unethical practice pertaining to athletic training to the appropriate person or authority;

(f) A licensed athletic trainer shall not misrepresent in any manner, either directly or indirectly, their skills, training, professional credentials, qualifications, identity, or services;

(g) A licensed athletic trainer employing, supervising, or evaluating the performance of other staff members shall fulfill such responsibilities in a fair, considerate, and equitable manner;

(h) A licensed athletic trainer shall not practice when their ability is impaired by the use of drugs or alcohol.

Rulemaking Authority 468.705 FS. Law Implemented 468.705, 468.713 FS. History–New 11-17-96, Formerly 61-25.004, 64B30-25.004, Amended 10-4-16, 2-26-18, 12-4-22.