Made with FlowPaper - Flipbook Maker
BOC Standards of Professional Practice VERSION 3.4 - PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2021 IMPLEMENTED JANUARY 2022 BOC STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE BOCATC.ORG 2 Introduction The “BOC Standards of Professional Practice” are reviewed by the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC) Standards Committee and recommendations are provided to the BOC Board of Directors. The BOC Standards Committee is comprised of five Athletic Trainer members and one public member. The BOC Board of Directors approves the final document. The BOC Board of Directors includes six Athletic Trainer Directors, one Physician Director, one Public Director and one Corporate/Educational Director. CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINERS The BOC certifies Athletic Trainers and identifies, for the public, quality health care professionals through a system of certification, adjudication, standards of practice and continuing competence programs. Athletic Trainers are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and intervention of emergency, acute and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations and disabilities. The BOC is the only accredited certification program for Athletic Trainers in the United States. Every five years, the BOC must undergo review and re-accreditation by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The NCCA is the accreditation body of the Institute of Credentialing Excellence. BOARD CERTIFIED SPECIALIST Specialty certification identifies Athletic Trainers who have clinical practice abilities beyond the ATC ® credential. These abilities will be identified via demonstration of post-professional education and training (e.g., CAATE-accredited residency and/ or employment and experience), and passing of a specialty certification exam. The specialty certification demonstrates an ability to enhance quality of patient care, optimize clinical outcomes, increase cost- effectiveness, provide value-based care and improve patients’ health-related quality of life within a specialized area of athletic training practice. The “BOC Standards of Professional Practice” consists of two sections: I. Practice Standards II. Code of Professional Responsibility BOC STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE BOCATC.ORG 3 I. Practice Standards CERTIFIED ATHLETIC TRAINERS PREAMBLE The primary purpose of the Practice Standards are to establish essential duties and obligations imposed by virtue of holding the ATC ® credential. Compliance with the Practice Standards are mandatory. The BOC does not express an opinion on the competence or warrant job performance of credential holders; however, every Athletic Trainer and applicant must agree to comply with the Practice Standards at all times. STANDARD 1: DIRECTION The Athletic Trainer renders service or treatment under the direction of, or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their training and the state’s statutes, rules and regulations. STANDARD 2: PREVENTION The Athletic Trainer implements measures to prevent and/or mitigate injury, illness and long term disability. STANDARD 3: IMMEDIATE CARE The Athletic Trainer provides care procedures used in acute and/or emergency situations, independent of setting. STANDARD 4: EXAMINATION, ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSIS The Athletic Trainer utilizes patient history and appropriate physical examination procedures to determine the patient’s impairments, diagnosis, level of function and disposition. STANDARD 5: THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION The Athletic Trainer determines appropriate treatment, rehabilitation and/or reconditioning strategies. Intervention program objectives include long and short-term goals and an appraisal of those which the patient can realistically be expected to achieve from the program. Appropriate patient- centered outcome assessments are utilized to document efficacy of interventions. STANDARD 6: PROGRAM DISCONTINUATION The Athletic Trainer may recommend discontinuation of the intervention program at such time the patient has received optimal benefit of the program. A final assessment of the patients’ status is included in the discharge note. STANDARD 7: ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION The Athletic Trainer documents all procedures and services in accordance with local, state and federal laws, rules and guidelines. BOC STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE BOCATC.ORG 4 I. Practice Standards BOARD CERTIFIED SPECIALIST PREAMBLE BOC specialty certification is a voluntary process by which an Athletic Trainer earns formal recognition of their advanced education and experience within a specialized area of clinical practice. Compliance with the Practice Standards are mandatory for every individual who holds the ATC ® credential. The BOC board-certified specialist must maintain the ATC ® credential; therefore, the specialist must comply with the Practice Standards. The essential duties and obligations of the BOC board- certified specialist are also directed by the current practice analysis for the respective specialty. The BOC does not express an opinion on the competence or warrant job performance of specialty credential holders; however, every specialist and specialist applicant agrees to comply with the Practice Standards for the respective specialty. BOARD CERTIFIED SPECIALIST - ORTHOPEDICS (BCS-O) Passage of the BOC Orthopedic Specialty Exam signifies a standard level of knowledge in the following domains that signify the major responsibilities or duties that characterize orthopedic specialty practice: STANDARD 1: MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE The Orthopedic Specialist performs and synthesizes a comprehensive evaluation that includes, but is not limited to, interpreting patient history, completing a physical examination, and identifying appropriate diagnostic studies to formulate a differential diagnosis, educate the patient and formulate a plan of care to optimize patient-centered care. STANDARD 2: PROCEDURAL KNOWLEDGE The Orthopedic Specialist implements a plan of care and provides procedural and/or operative care (pre-, intra-, and/or post-) to ensure optimal patient outcomes. STANDARD 3: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE The Orthopedic Specialist collaborates with an interdisciplinary health care team to establish processes and quality care programs that promote value-based care, population health strategies and cost containment to improve patient outcomes. BOC STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE BOCATC.ORG 5 II. Code of Professional Responsibility PREAMBLE The Code of Professional Responsibility (Code) mandates that BOC credential holders and applicants act in a professionally responsible manner in all athletic training services and activities. The BOC requires all Athletic Trainers, specialists and applicants to comply with the Code. The BOC may discipline, revoke or take other action with regard to the application or certification of an individual that does not adhere to the Code. The “Professional Practice and Discipline Guidelines and Procedures” may be accessed via the BOC website. CODE 1: PATIENT CARE RESPONSIBILITIES The Athletic Trainer, specialist or applicant: 1.1Renders quality patient care regardless of the patient’s age, gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. 1.2Protects the patient from undue harm and acts always in the patient’s best interest and is an advocate for the patient’s welfare, including taking appropriate action to protect patients from health care providers or athletic training students who are, impaired or engaged in illegal or unethical practice. 1.3Demonstrates sound clinical judgment that is based upon current knowledge, evidence- based guidelines and the thoughtful and safe application of resources, treatments and therapies. 1.4Communicates effectively and truthfully with patients and other persons involved in the patient’s program, while maintaining privacy and confidentiality of patient information in accordance with applicable law. 1.4.1Demonstrates respect for cultural diversity and understanding of the impact of cultural and religious values. 1.5Develops and maintains a relationship of trust and confidence with the patient and/or the parent/guardian of a minor patient and does not exploit the relationship for personal or financial gain. 1.6Does not engage in intimate or sexual activity with a patient and/or the parent/guardian of a minor patient. 1.7Informs the patient and/or the parent/guardian of a minor patient of any risks involved in the treatment plan. 1.7.1Does not make unsupported claims about the safety or efficacy of treatment. 1.8Does not practice athletic training, or otherwise render patient care, while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other substance that may or is likely to impair the Athletic Trainer’s ability to render quality, skilled care to the patient. CODE 2: COMPETENCY The Athletic Trainer, specialist or applicant: 2.1Engages in lifelong, professional and continuing educational activities to promote continued competence. 2.2Complies with the most current BOC recertification policies and requirements. CODE 3: PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY The Athletic Trainer, specialist or applicant: 3.1Practices in accordance with the most current BOC Practice Standards. 3.2Practices in accordance with applicable local, state and/or federal rules, requirements, regulations and/or laws related to the practice of athletic training including, without limitation, applicable state licensing and ethical requirements. 3.3Practices in collaboration and cooperation with others involved in a patient’s care when warranted; respecting the expertise and medico- legal responsibility of all parties. 3.4Provides athletic training services only when there is a reasonable expectation that an individual will benefit from such services. 3.5Does not misrepresent in any manner, either directly or indirectly, their skills, training, professional credentials, identity or services or the skills, training, credentials, identity or services of athletic training. 3.5.1Provides only those services for which they are prepared and permitted to perform by applicable local, state and/or federal rules, requirements, regulations and/or laws related to the practice of athletic training. 3.6Does not guarantee the results of any athletic training service. 3.7Complies with all BOC exam eligibility requirements. 3.8Ensures that any information provided to the BOC in connection with exam eligibility, certification, recertification or reinstatement including but not limited to, exam applications, reinstatement applications or continuing education forms, is accurate and truthful. BOC STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE BOCATC.ORG 6 II. Code of Professional Responsibility 3.9Does not possess, use, copy, access, distribute or discuss certification exams, self-assessment and practice exams, score reports, answer sheets, certificates, certificant or applicant files, documents or other materials without proper authorization. 3.10Takes no action that leads, or may lead, to the conviction, plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere (no contest) to any felony or to a misdemeanor related to public health, patient care, athletics or education; this includes, but is not limited to: rape; sexual abuse or misconduct; actual or threatened use of violence; the prohibited sale or distribution of controlled substances, or the possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; or improper influence of the outcome or score of an athletic contest or event. 3.11Reports any suspected or known violation of applicable local, state and/or federal rules, requirements, regulations and/or laws committed by themselves and/or by another Athletic Trainer that is related to the practice of athletic training and/or that may impact the Athletic Trainer’s ability to practice athletic training in accordance with “BOC Standards of Professional Practice.” 3.12Reports any criminal convictions (with the exception of misdemeanor traffic offenses or traffic ordinance violations that do not involve the use of alcohol or drugs) and/or professional suspension, discipline or sanction received by themselves or by another Athletic Trainer that is related to athletic training. 3.13Complies with applicable local, state and/ or federal rules, requirements, regulations and/or laws related to mandatory reporting when identified as a “mandatory reporter” or “responsible employee.” 3.14Cooperates with BOC investigations into alleged illegal and/or unethical activities and any alleged violation(s) of a “BOC Standard of Professional Practice.” Cooperation includes, but is not limited to, providing candid, honest and timely responses to requests for information and/or documentation. 3.15Complies with all confidentiality and disclosure requirements of the BOC and existing law. 3.16Does not endorse or advertise products or services with the use of, or by reference to, the BOC name without proper authorization. 3.17Complies with all conditions and requirements arising from certification restrictions or disciplinary actions taken by the BOC, including, but not limited to, conditions and requirements contained in decision letters and consent agreements entered into pursuant to Section 4 of the “BOC Professional Practice and Discipline Guidelines and Procedures.” 3.18Fulfills financial obligations for all BOC billable goods and services provided. CODE 4: RESEARCH The Athletic Trainer, specialist or applicant who engages in research: 4.1Conducts research according to accepted ethical research and reporting standards established by public law, institutional procedures and/or the health professions. 4.2Protects the human rights and well-being of research participants. 4.3Conducts research activities intended to improve knowledge, practice, education, outcomes and/or public policy relative to the organization and administration of health systems and/or health care delivery. CODE 5: SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY The Athletic Trainer, specialist or applicant: 5.1Strives to serve the profession and the community in a manner that benefits society at large. 5.2Advocates for appropriate health care to address societal health needs and goals. CODE 6: BUSINESS PRACTICES The Athletic Trainer, specialist or applicant: 6.1Does not participate in deceptive or fraudulent business practices. 6.2Seeks remuneration only for those services rendered or supervised by an Athletic Trainer; does not charge for services not rendered. 6.2.1Provides documentation to support recorded charges. 6.2.2Ensures all fees are commensurate with services rendered. 6.3Maintains adequate and customary professional liability insurance. 6.4Acknowledges and mitigates conflicts of interest.Next >