Meet the Trainers: https://www.upmc.com/services/sports-medicine/services/athletic-training/meet-the-athletic-trainers/southwest-pa
Joshua Reedy, LAT, ATC
reedy@kosd.org
reedyjc@upmc.edu
412-571-6022
Nick Corrigan MS, LAT, ATC
corrigan@kosd.org
corrigannr@upmc.edu
412-571-6022
Athletic Training Information
GOALS:
The goal of Athletic Training services is to provide quality, state-of-the-art methods for the prevention of injuries, outstanding care, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries, and to provide educational opportunities to the student-athletes of Keystone Oaks High School. This is accomplished through the collective efforts of Licensed Athletic Trainers, Athletic Training Students, and associated medical specialists.
THE PROFESSION OF ATHLETIC TRAINING:
Athletic Training is an allied health profession that was recognized by the American Medical Association in 1991. Athletic Trainers, under the supervision of a licensed physician, provide care for patients within six areas of clinical practice: prevention; immediate care; clinical evaluation and diagnosis; treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning; organization and administration; and professional responsibility. Licensed Athletic Trainers are specialists in the area of sports medicine; sports medicine is a general term that refers to a very broad scope of care and services that are necessary to maintain the overall health and performance of those who are physically active or who participate in sports.
The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) is the professional association for Athletic Trainers whose mission it is to promote the profession of Athletic Training. It was founded in 1950 when a core group of about 200 athletic trainers met in Kansas City to discuss the future. The growth of the athletic training profession has been on a moderate to fast increase. Today, the NATA membership spans the globe and includes more than 30,000 allied health care professionals. The Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society (PATS) is the professional organization for Athletic Trainers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Licensed Athletic Trainers must maintain a national certification through the NATA Board of Certification, and a Pennsylvania License through the PA State Board of Medicine.
KO PROGRAM:
The Athletic Trainers are responsible for the return of the athlete to their sport through a progressive, innovative and functional rehabilitation program which is under the guidance of a team physician. Whenever possible we will strive to integrate education about athletic injuries so that our athletes can be motivated to lead healthier lifestyles. We are committed to using any technology available and affordable in the delivery of these services. We will remain committed to the continuous upgrading of the equipment used in the delivery of sports medicine services so our athletes will be assured of the most modern care available.
This philosophy places a high value of health and wellness, thus enabling injured student athletes to return to sport as soon as is medically safe. These services will be provided to maintain the highest standards of quality consistent with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s Code of Professional Practice and credentialing statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the intention of this medical team to support the Keystone Oaks School District with the human resources necessary to accomplish the stated goals of this program.
Should an athlete require additional medical care, the athletic trainer will assist the family in coordinating the proper care. This may be accomplished through contact with the family’s Primary Care Physician. If necessary, the athlete may be referred to UPMC Sports Medicine and its affiliates, or to an outside source for further evaluation and/or treatment.
PRE-PARTICIPATION PHYSICALS:
It is necessary for all students who are trying out for an athletic team to have a cleared physical before the first day of the tryouts/practice. PIAA rules state that athletic physicals need to be completed May 31st or later to be eligible for the scholastic athletic season. Physicals are valid for one school year and expire on May 31. There is a required PIAA CIPPE form that needs to be completed and signed by parent[s]/guardian[s] and examining physician.
Physical forms are also available in the athletic office and on this website.
No student athlete will be permitted to practice without a completed physical.
Any student athlete that has a chronic medical condition needs to obtain a written clearance for participation from an attending licensed physician and present this clearance at the time of the pre-participation physical examination.
ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM HOURS:
The Athletic Trainers are available Mon-Fri from 1 pm until the end of activities held at the school. Saturday hours start 1/2 hour before the beginning of practice. Saturday times vary from season-to-season. It is the athlete’s responsibility to report to the athletic training room early enough to complete all necessary rehab prior to the start of practices and games.
REPORTING OF INJURIES:
All injuries that occur during athletic practice or competition should be reported to the Head Coach of that sport and then to the staff Athletic Trainer. This needs to be done as soon as possible so that we may determine the extent of the injury, make appointments to secure timely and appropriate evaluations and help return the athlete to pre-injury status in a timely fashion without compromising the safety of the student athlete. The athletic trainer will make the final determination of the playing status of injured athletes. If the injury occurs before a season starts, please secure a medical release from a licensed physician before tryouts/participation begins and turn it into the Athletic Trainer.
CONCUSSIONS:
In order to provide Keystone Oaks Student Athletes, the best possible care and prevention of multiple concussions and second impact syndrome, team members of the following sports will perform mandatory baseline testing: V/MS Football, V/MS/B/G Soccer, V/MS/B/G Volleyball, V/MS Cheerleading, V/MS/B/G Basketball, V/MS Wrestling, V/MS Softball, and V Baseball. This testing will be completed at KOHS computer labs. These baseline scores will be saved in an on-line database.
A student athlete with a suspected concussion will be evaluated by an Athletic Trainer at the time of injury. The Athletic Trainer will decide, based on present symptoms, if the student athlete needs immediate referral to the ER. If no immediate referral is necessary, the student athlete will be sent home with care instructions to be given to and followed by the parents. The athlete will follow up with an athletic trainer by phone or in the athletic training room.
If an athlete sustains a concussion, and after consultation with a licensed physician it is determined they need seen the athletic trainers will assist in the scheduling process. These scores will be compared to the athlete’s baseline scores. A return to play plan will then be determined by a credentialed Impact consultant through the UPMC Sport Concussion Program in conjunction with the athletic training staff at KOHS.
It is preferred that all athletes with a suspected concussion follow this protocol which involves the UPMC Concussion Program. However, if an athlete is under the care of their family physician, they must still follow the management protocol with an athletic trainer at KOSD including the Impact testing and return to play protocol.
Following clearance by the physician, final return to play will be determined by the functional testing module of the concussion protocol. Clearance requires a return to play, in writing, by an appropriate medical professional. An appropriate medical professional is defined as: (1) a licensed physician who is “trained in the evaluation and management of concussions” or a trained certified health professional designated by the physician; or (2) a licensed psychologist neuropsychologically trained or who has postdoctoral training in neuropsychology. Ultimately final clearance will be made by the KO athletic trainer and supervising physician.
REHABILITATION AND TREATMENTS:
The athletic training room at Keystone Oaks High School has rehabilitative equipment and therapeutic modalities that can be used to properly rehabilitate most injuries. Some of the available equipment includes ultrasound, electrical stimulation, whirlpool, Swiss ball, polymeric balls, BAPS board, TheraBand, stationary bike, free weights, aquatic therapy in the swimming pool, Aqua vest, Dyna-disc, manual resistive exercises, dynamic stabilization techniques, McConnell taping, Orthoplast Pad Fabrication, protective wrapping and taping techniques.
For an athlete needs to utilize these services it is necessary for them to report to the athletic training room at least 30 minutes before the start of their practice/game. At this time rehabilitation will be conducted and playing/practice status determined as well as any necessary taping procedures.
NO taping procedures are done without a proper evaluation and going through the necessary associated rehabilitation program. If under the care of a physician, the athlete must obtain a script for therapy that specifies the treatments to be completed by the athletic trainer.
RETURN TO PRACTICE / PLAY:
If your son/daughter suffers an injury during a high school sponsored practice/game that requires evaluation by a licensed physician, it is necessary to obtain a signed written note to clarify the diagnosis, the status on return to practice/play, and any treatment that the physician wants the Certified Athletic Trainers to follow. This is necessary for any visits to a licensed physician, including dentists, family physicians, dermatologists, etc. It is best to follow the rule to always obtain a signed written release whenever you see a physician. An example of this would be if your son/daughter has been withheld from participation for any reason, they will need to secure a written release from a licensed physician (MD) before they can return to any level of participation.
ATHLETIC TRAINING STUDENTS:
Athletic training students from Chatham University and the University of Pittsburgh are fulfilling educational requirements of their institution and the Board of Certification for completion of their athletic training education. Their duties on and off the field are limited to assisting and observing the staff athletic trainers in the prevention and treatment of athletic injuries. These students are first-aid and CPR certified.
Any high school student who wishes to further his/her knowledge of athletic training may assist as an athletic training student aide (ATSA). Their duties on and off the field are limited to assisting the staff athletic trainer with daily training room operation and event coverage as deemed appropriate. ATSAs must be under the direct visual supervision of a licensed athletic trainer when assisting with any athletic training services. This relationship must be addressed in the LATs written protocol and standard operating procedure with their team physician.