PE 142 - No observational/clinical work hours are required for this course.
PE 144 - Initial exposure to the clinical aspect of athletic training is gained through PE 144. This course includes 40 hours of observation in Temple University's intercollegiate athletic training facilities and entails a "Student Mentor Program" in which upperclassmen, who have been formally accepted into the program, serve as "mentors", exemplifying the duties and responsibilities of the student athletic trainer. Observational hours must be recorded on the "Clinical Hour Recording Sheet" and do not count toward NATA certification.
PE 241/242 - Continued exposure to the field of athletic training is gained through PE 241 and PE 242. These courses include 110 observational/clinical work hours in Temple University's intercollegiate athletic training facilities adn in a high school/college athletic training setting (in the greater Philadelphia area) in which a NATA certified athletic trainer is employed. In general, these experiences entail rotating on a daily basis between Temple University (maximum 2 days per week at TU) and a local high school/college (maximum 3 days per week at the site location). Observational/clinical hours accumulated in conjuction with these courses must be recorded on the "Clinical Hours Recording Sheet" and do not count toward NATA certification.
Students who have been formally accepted into the undergraduate athletic training program must meet the work hour requirements as established by NATA. These hours are considered to be the minimal length of time necessary for development of the competencies expected of the entry-level athletic trainer. Thus, additional hours in the clinical setting are strongly encouraged. The work experience is to be destributed as equally as possible over the two years post-admission phase of the program.
The work hour requirements (minimum 950 hours) for post-admission students will be met by serving as student athletic trainers with Temple University's intercollegiate athletic teams. These hours are part of the course requirements for PE 247, PE 248, PE 347, and PE 348 and are directly supervised by NATA certified athletic trainers. All hours must be recorded on the "Clinical Hour Recording" Form and signed by the supervising NATA clinical athletic trainer. These hours count toward NATA certification.
By demonstrating competency in clinical skills, student athletic trainers are potentially liable for their performance in the clinical setting. Accordingly, it is essential that student athletic trainers perform their clinical responsibilities and duties at an acceptable level of practice.