REMINDER! ONLY the Revised April 2007 VHSL Pre-Participation Form will be acceptable for the 2008-09 sports seasons.
Athletic Training Program
 The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Athletic Training Program was established
in 1983. The program was designed to provide quality sports injury care in
each of its 23 high schools at that time. In 1988, as the athletics program
grew in FCPS, the athletic health care needs responded by featuring two Certified
Athletic Trainer (ATC) positions in each high school. In 2000, the 24th high
school opened, and in 2004, the 25th high school opened and all 50 certified athletic trainers in FCPS are committed
to providing quality care for all of athletes.
The FCPS Athletic Trainers work closely with all area physicians. INOVA Health
Care Systems Sports Medicine provides needed support on several projects in
an effort to continue to provide the finest care possible to each FCPS student
athlete.
The Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) of FCPS strive to establish trusting
relationships with the athletes, coaching staff, parents, and the medical community.
These relationships depend on effective communication between all parties involved,
and a commitment to do what’s best for the athletes. This demonstrates
that each of the 50 Athletic Trainers in FCPS are committed to providing quality
care to their athletes.
Responsibilities
- Prevention of injuries resulting from physical activity
- Recognition, evaluation, and assessment of injuries and conditions
resulting from physical activity
- Immediate care of injuries resulting from physical activity
- Rehabilitation and reconditioning of injuries resulting from physical
activity
- Organization and administration
- Professional development and responsibility
In 2005, a full time Certified Athletic Trainer position was established in each high and secondary school. They are committed to providing comprehensive athletic healthcare for each of the student athletes and work as a team with the Associate ATC2.
A typical day for an FCPS Associate Athletic Trainer begins in the classroom.
Most of the high schools offer a Sports Medicine class, which is taught
by an ATC at that school. Many of the ATC's teach other classes as well.
Once the academic school day ends, the ATC's are responsible for providing athletic
health care for all athletes. In the time between school and practice,
the ATC's must provide evaluations of injuries to athletes to determine
a safe participation status, preventative bracing and taping, and rehabilitative/reconditioning
therapy to any athlete with an injury. Athletes who are not able
to participate in practice or contests are monitored while they complete
their rehabilitation program. ATCs work with the athlete's treating
physician to carry out any rehabilitative therapy prescribed. The ATCs
must also be prepared to deal with those injuries that occur throughout
each practice or contest. Finally, the ATC's are responsible for monitoring
and instructing students interested in the athletic training profession.
The Certified Athletic Trainers of FCPS strive to establish trusting relationships
with the athletes, coaching staff, parents, and the medical community.
These relationships depend on effective communication between all parties
involved, and a commitment to do what’s best for the athletes. This
demonstrates that each of the 50 Athletic Trainers in FCPS are committed
to providing quality care to their athletes.
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