News
Secondary School Committee Re-launch!
We are looking for volunteers!
In December, the WATA Board of Directors approved the re-launch of the WATA Secondary Schools AT Committee. The board acknowledges the importance of our members in secondary school settings. After approving the committee's revival, Roland Schmidt, LAT, ATC, was appointed as the Committee Chair. The committee aims to have representation from athletic trainers in secondary schools across Wisconsin within the WATA.
Currently, the WATA is looking for one volunteer from each WATA region to join and contribute to the relaunch of our Secondary School AT committee. If you're interested, feel free to step forward and get involved!
GAC updates in Members inboxes
In our latest e-blast to WATA members, we revisit the story behind the Wisconsin ACT 71 bill that was passed in 2021.
Examining the key players involved, we recall the role of the two legislators who authored the 2021 bill, Representative Kuglitsch and Senator Testin.
We explore the new endeavor to secure the path to recognition for athletic trainers, highlighting the dedication of the Wisconsin Athletic Trainers' Association (WATA) and the announcement of new authors, Senator Patrick Testin and Representative Robert Wittke.
With insights into the bill's timeline and the lobbying efforts of the experienced WATA lobbyists, we shed light on the current bills, AB311 and SB317, and the collective action needed from WATA members to support the future of athletic training in Wisconsin. As we navigate the legislative process, we outline the future efforts required in fall.
Check your emails as we describe the steps taken to advance the profession of athletic training in Wisconsin.
Free Help for Hospitals to Put ATs in New Areas!
The Wisconsin Athletic Trainers’ Association sent an infographic promoting athletic trainers to hospital executives in Wisconsin to address the challenges faced in the healthcare workforce.
Selected as the recipients of the infographic were executives who manage the workforce for their organizations. This includes:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Chief Medical Officer
- Director of Rehabilitation
- Director of Human Resources
The Third Party Reimbursement Committee performed an internet search of hospitals and rehabilitation businesses in Wisconsin. The search results identified 80 unique health care companies. The search acquired the names and contact information of executives.
The infographic tells executives to consider employing an athletic trainer. Listed on the infographic are the key employment areas for an athletic trainer:
- Physically Active Individuals
- Workplace Injuries
- Orthopedic Physicians Practices
- Outpatient Rehabilitation
The infographic shows executives that athletic trainers can work in other areas in addition to sports. Athletic trainers can be a versatile option for executives faced with workforce challenges. Athletic trainers can help fill the workforce gaps faced in these areas.
Each area shows the benefits of an athletic trainer in that position. Each position highlights that insurers can compensate athletic trainers in that area.
In addition to insurer compensation, athletic trainers can benefit executives with healthcare workforce challenges by:
- Increased Productivity
- Positive Outcome Measures
- Commitment to Safety
The infographic offers free help to executives and athletic trainers. The help will place an athletic trainer into a new department or area. The Wisconsin Athletic Trainers’ Association provides free help managed by Joe Greene, MS, LAT.
Joe Greene has been helping place athletic trainers into new areas in Wisconsin since 2017. The physicians practices and outpatient rehabilitation clinics he has helped place athletic trainers into include:
- UW Health
- Divine Savior Healthcare
- Preva Health
Addressing the current challenges in the healthcare workforce is important. “Not only to inform health systems and employers about Athletic Trainers’ and reimbursement opportunity, but also to educate them overall about Athletic Trainers’ with an eye toward improving salary” said Joe Greene in a written statement to the Board of Directors in January 2022.
The infographic sent will not reach all executives in Wisconsin. The executives in the hospitals you work for may be different from our list. Joe Greene suggests members can “use the infographic upstream with their employers. They should especially use it with their direct supervisors and physicians.” Contact Joe Greene, MS, LAT [email protected] if you, your supervisor, or your physicians would like more information.
The Wisconsin Athletic Trainers’ Association announces the AT Practice Act changes have been signed into law
Governor Evers signed bill SB329 that updates Wisconsin’s AT Practice Act into law on July 8th, 2021. The bill was signed into law as 2021 Wisconsin Act 71. The Wisconsin Athletic Trainers’ Association Thanks Representative Mike Kuglitsch and Senator Pat Testin for their leadership and willingness to author the AT practice act changes. The law took effect upon publication.
Wisconsin Act 71 modernizes the AT Practice Act. It eliminates an administrative burden that requires an athletic trainer to get their Evaluation and Treatment Protocol signed by a consulting physician. ATs work closely with physicians and will continue to do so.
The law will in no way negatively impact patient safety. It does not alter an AT’s scope of practice, and it does not change the requirement that if an AT determines a patient’s medical condition is beyond his or her scope of practice, they must refer the patient to a health care practitioner who can provide the appropriate treatment.
Senator Testin and Rep. Kuglitsch authored the AT Practice Act changes. This unnecessary and outdated requirement hampers an AT’s ability to practice in Wisconsin. The athletic training profession has grown significantly since we were first recognized in 1999, with athletic trainers now being required to attend an accredited athletic training program and pass an examination to obtain National Board Certification. More than 70% of athletic trainers currently hold a Master’s Degree, and it is a requirement for new ATs moving forward. The natural advancement of our profession makes this outdated requirement no longer necessary.
