Collaborator

• Describe the role of the athletic therapist within the context of the health care system.

• Determine when findings from the NMSK evaluation warrant physician referral.

• Collaborate with physicians to confirm injury diagnoses (for example, using laboratory studies and/or diagnostic imaging).

• Collaborate with a physician in the implementation of a return to sport/activity protocol for the athlete/patient with a concussion.

• Collaborate with strength and conditioning coaches, certified exercise physiologists, kinesiologists, and certified personal trainers to administer and interpret standard tests, protocols, and pre-screening procedures to assess cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, flexibility, strength, balance, power, speed, agility, and endurance.

• Use the appropriate patient/client care pathway(s) to facilitate inter-professional medical care.

• Demonstrate effective handovers to pre-hospital and hospital personnel for patient safety and continuity of care.

• Differentiate the responsibilities of the athletic therapist from other pre-hospital and hospital-based care providers, including: emergency medical technicians/paramedics, nurses, physician assistants, sport medicine physicians, and orthopedic surgeons.

• Collaborate with orthopedic surgeons regarding post-operative care.

• Facilitate the use of medications prescribed by physicians and pharmacists to ensure continuity of care.

• Contribute as a valuable team member on an athletic therapy staff.

• Negotiate overlapping and shared responsibilities, in multidisciplinary settings, with other health care professionals to prevent misunderstandings related to scope of practice, including: physicians, physiotherapists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, massage therapists, and others.

• Integrate complementary care by referring to other health care professionals when optimal for the athlete/patient to return to sport/activity.

• Plan and implement components of a comprehensive injury/illness prevention program with relevant stakeholders, including: 

a. physical examinations and screening procedures (physicians), 

b. conditioning (strength and conditioning coaches, certified exercise physiologists), 

c. fitting and maintenance of protective equipment (equipment managers), 

d. application of bracing and prosthetic devices (orthotists, pedorthists, podiatrists), and e) control of risk factors (sport organizations, administrators, and coaches).

• Adapt, where appropriate, a rehabilitation or conditioning program based on collaboration with mental health care professionals including (sport) psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, and social workers.

• Act as an effective liaison between athletes, coaches, health care professionals, parents, and other stakeholders.

• Work with team personnel, including coaches, and the team dietician/nutritionist to plan good nutrition and diet for sport/activity and injury rehabilitation.