Clinical education is primarily supervised by UNL Athletic Training Program (UNL ATP)-trained preceptors, who are licensed and credentialed healthcare providers associated with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Concordia University, and Lincoln Public Schools.
Athletic training students (ATS) may only engage in clinical education activity (athletic training skills) while their preceptor is present and can intervene on behalf of the athletic training student and the patient. ATS supervision cannot be performed over the phone or two-way radio. If the preceptor must briefly leave the presence of the student, the ATS must not perform any athletic training duties or skills until the preceptor returns. In the absence of the preceptor the ATS may perform skills in which they hold current certification or appropriate state license.
The UNL ATP considers ATS clinical education supervision as an opportunity for the clinical preceptor to serve as a mentor to the ATS. As a mentor, the clinical preceptor guides the ATS through the clinical decision-making process to nurture the development of autonomy that leads to a competent and professional clinician.