Clinical education is supervised by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Athletic Training Program (UNL ATP) -trained preceptors whom 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 skills until the preceptor returns. The ATS, however, may perform any emergency care that falls within their current Emergency Cardiac Care and/or First Aid certification(s).
The UNL ATP considers ATS clinical education 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 promote the development of autonomy that leads to a competent and professional clinician.