Technical Standards for Admission

Technical Standards for Admission

The Athletic Training Education Program at Ohio Northern University is a rigorous and intense program that places specific requirements and demands on the students enrolled in the program.  An objective of this program is to prepare graduates to enter a variety of employment settings and to render care to a wide spectrum of individuals engaged in physical activity.  The technical standards set forth by the ATEP establish the essential qualities considered necessary for students admitted to this program to achieve the knowledge, skills, and competencies of an entry-level athletic trainer, as well as meet the expectations of the program’s accrediting agency (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education [CAATE]). 

All students admitted to the ATEP must meet the following abilities and expectations.  In the event a student is unable to fulfill these technical standards, without reasonable accommodation as set forth by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences of Ohio Northern University, the student will not be admitted into the program.

Compliance with the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for the BOC (Board of Certification) examination.

Candidates for selection to the ATEP must demonstrate:

1. The mental capacities to assimilate, analyze, synthesize, and integrate concepts and demonstrate problem-solving abilities to formulate assessments and therapeutic judgments and to be able to distinguish deviations from the norm.
2. Sufficient postural and neuromuscular control, sensory function, and coordination to perform appropriate physical examinations using accepted techniques, and accurately, safely, and efficiently use equipment and materials during the assessment and treatment of patients.
3. The ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and colleagues, including individuals from different cultural and social backgrounds; this includes, but is not limited to, the ability to establish rapport with patients and communicate judgments and treatment information effectively.  Students must be able to understand and speak the English language at a level consistent with competent professional practice.
4. The ability to record the physical examination results and a treatment plan clearly and accurately.
5. The capacity to maintain composure and continue to function well during periods of high stress.
6. The perseverance, diligence, and commitment to complete the ATEP as outlined and sequenced.

A complete health evaluation must be performed before applying the above technical standards to each individual candidate.  The evaluation must include a determination of the candidate’s physical health and communicable disease immunity.  It must assess the medical components of physical health and other disability that may be present and to verify appropriate immunization history.  The immunization history must be in compliance with the Center for Disease Control policy for health care workers before being exposed to blood or blood-contaminated products.  These immunizations include:  hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria.  This evaluation may be completed by any licensed health care provider (MD, DO, PA, or NP), but the ATEP Medical Director will be the final reviewer and final authority as to a candidate’s compliance with the technical standards and qualification to enter into the ATEP.

If a candidate is unable to meet each component of the technical standards listed above, that candidate will then be referred to the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences for evaluation of possible accommodations to be offered and applied to enable a candidate to meet the technical standards.  If after a reasonable time period (as set by the candidate, the Dean’s office, the University Physician, the Human Performance and Sport Sciences Department, and the ATEP Director) to ensure compliance and evaluate the effectiveness of the accommodations, or reasonable accommodation is unable to be met, the candidate will be unable to enter the program.

If a student receives a significant injury at any time that they are enrolled as an athletic training student at ONU that will not allow them to comply with the “technical standards” requirement they had demonstrated upon entering the program, it may be necessary to remove the student from a clinical experience altogether.  Should the student demonstrate that, within a reasonable amount of time, they will be able to mentally or physically adhere to the technical standards previously set forth they will be allowed to continue with their clinical assignment.  These decisions will be made by the ATEP Director in consultation with the ATEP Medical Director and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, if necessary.