FOR PHYSICIANS

What is Athletic Training?

FCPS employs Athletic Trainers (ATCs) licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia's Board of Medicine. The American Medical Association (AMA) recognizes the ATC as an allied health care professional. FCPS is in full compliance with the AMA policy that recommends that an ATC be employed by all high schools (Resolution H-470.995, July 1998). For more information on athletic training, click here.

Physicians and ATCs working together

FCPS encourages local physicians to work with the ATCs at individual schools to ensure athletes participate in the safest possible manner following an injury. ATCs can be a valuable resource to treating physicians by carrying out treatment plans for your patients who participate in high school athletics. Consider our ATCs as an extension of your practice within the schools.

To contact an individual ATC via telephone or email, click here.
To facilitate communication between physician and ATC regarding an injury, a physician response form is available here.
Authorization for release of medical information (PHI) form is available that can be signed by the parent and kept in the physician's file. We provide this form only as an added layer of comfort. The privacy rules under the HIPAA regulation do not restrict communication of medically related information between health care professionals (physician and ATC).
For more information regarding injury rehabilitation services within FCPS, click here.

Guidelines and Policies

FCPS and the Virginia High School League (VHSL) have developed several policies and guidelines designed to provide the safest environment for athletic participation. These include a return-to-play policy and extreme weather guidelines (heat, cold, lightning).

Mild Head Injury (concussion)Assessment

FCPS Athletic Training Program policy dictates that athletes with a suspected head injury receive a SAC VNI assessment. The SAC VNI is a comprehensive tool evaluating cognitive function and includes the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (McCrae et al) and the Virginia Neurological Index (Almquist, Barth, Broshek). The SAC VNI assesses orientation, immediate memory, neurological signs and symptoms, concentration, and delayed recall. Click here for a sample head injury evaluation form you may receive form an FCPS ATC. New for 2007-8 is the availability of the ImPACT neuropsychological test. Athletes will have the ability to complete a baseline evaluation that will assist the certified athletic trainers and treating physicians in providing the most appropriate return to participation recommendations for athletes sustaining a concussion. More specific information regarding this sideline assessment of concussion can be obtained from the FCPS Athletic Training Program Administrator.

FCPS ATCs follow protocols based on recommendations published in the National Athletic Trainers Association's (NATA) monograph, "Pre-hospital Care of the Spine Injured Athlete."

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