WELCOME TO THE ASPEN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC TRAINING / SPORTS MEDICINE PAGE.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Sarah Nickell LAT, ATC, MSAT, BS
Athletic Training Facility at AHS between the Varsity Locker Rooms
- Hours: 2:00pm-6:30pm M-F, only games on Saturday
- Subject to change due to competition schedule/weather/etc
It is our privilege to provide health care to Aspen High School Student-Athletes. Aspen High School Athletics and the Steadman Clinic have partnered to provide access to high quality sports medicine services for Aspen High School Student-Athletes. On this page you will find resources on how to access these services and to better understand what athletic training is.
WHAT IS AN ATHLETIC TRAINER?
Athletic Trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers work under the direction of a physician as prescribed by state licensure statutes. The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Code of Ethics states the principles of ethical behavior that should be followed in the practice of athletic training.
Athletic trainers are sometimes confused with personal trainers. There is, however, a large difference in the education, skill set, job duties and patients of an athletic trainer and a personal trainer. The athletic training academic curriculum and clinical training follows the medical model. Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited baccalaureate or master’s program, and 70% of ATs have a master’s degree.
SPORTS MEDICINE: INJURIES & ILLNESSES
If an athlete is examined by a physician for an illness or injury, written approval to resume play must be submitted to the Athletic Department before participating in a practice or game. If a physician removes an
athlete from athletic participation due to illness or injury, that athlete must see that medical professional again in person and receive written approval to resume play before participating in a practice or game.
All injuries must initially be reported to the head coach and/or athletic trainer. It is the responsibility of the head coach or athletic trainer to communicate with each other regarding player injuries, regardless of
severity. The athletic trainer will administer first aid and/or arrange for emergency medical care. The athletic trainer is responsible for contacting the parents/guardians of the athlete when, in their judgment, the injury may require medical attention.
Injured/Ill players should:
- Contact the Athletic Trainer immediately (following the contest and after discussing with the head coach) via a phone call or individual SportsYou chat. In the event of serious injury, head coaches
- will immediately contact the Athletic Trainer.
- Contact their head coach immediately via an email (if not present at time of injury) or individual SportsYou chat
- Contact the Athletic Department If the Athletic Trainer or Head Coach do not answer.
It is the student-athlete’s responsibility to make sure both their head coach and the athletic trainer know about any injuries or illnesses. All athletes should sign up for athletic training and avoid stopping by whenever possible.
READMITTANCE TO ATHLETIC ACTIVITY FOLLOWING AN INJURY OR ILLNESS (Concussion, Sprain, Surgeries or Broken Bone)
In the event a student-athlete sustains an injury, serious enough to require a physician’s examination and treatment, the student-athlete must obtain written permission from a physician and Athletic Trainer before
being allowed to resume practice/competition.
All physicians’ notes regarding an athlete’s fitness to resume athletic competition must be submitted to the Athletic trainer to be noted and kept on file on the student’s health record. In the event, a question arises regarding an injury/illnesses, the Athletic Trainer should be contacted immediately.
In cases where an athlete is absent from school for more than five consecutive days due to illnesses, the fitness of the athlete to resume athletic activity must be established. Written permission from the attending
physician or approval from the school administration and written permission from the parent/guardian must be obtained before the athlete is allowed to return to athletic competition.
In the event a student-athlete sustains a broken bone or an injury which requires the application of a cast or splint, the athlete will be automatically excluded from participation in athletic competitions and practice. Once the injury has healed and cast/splint has been removed, the athlete may be readmitted to athletic competition / practice only when the attending physician, Athletic Trainer and parent/guardian provide written permission to do so.
In the event a student-athlete sustains a concussion as an injury. The Athletic Trainer will work with the student-athlete and report the injury to all school administrators. Accommodations will be made for all
aspects of the school involved. When the student-athlete is cleared to participate, the athlete will work
closely with the Athletic Trainer in returning to play protocol.
In all cases when a question regarding the health, fitness or ability of an athlete to return to athletic participation is raised, the decision of the Athletic Trainer and school administrator will be final.
