National Athletic Trainers' Association

The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) is the professional membership association for certified athletic trainers and others who support the athletic training profession. NATA was founded in 1950; the NATA represents more than 30,000 members worldwide today which equals more than 82 percent of all athletic trainers practicing in the United States. The majority of certified athletic trainers choose to be members of the NATA—to support their profession, and to receive a broad array of membership benefits. By joining forces as a group, NATA members can accomplish more for the athletic training profession than they can individually.

History

The NATA was unofficially formed in the lat 1930s by a small group of athletic trainers around the nation.The NATA was founded in 1950 when the first meeting of the NATA took place in Kansas City. Nearly 200 athletic trainers gathered to discuss the future of their profession. Recognizing the need for a set of professional standards and appropriate professional recognition, the NATA has helped to unify certified athletic trainers across the country by setting a standard for professionalism, education, certification, research and practice settings. Since its inception, the NATA has been a driving force behind the recognition of the athletic training profession. Once housed in Greenville, N.C., the NATA now is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. From humble beginnings, the association has expanded to encompass a global membership totaling more than 30,000, plus a full-time executive director and staff. Members serve as leaders for the association, which has multiple committees working together to help advance the profession.

Mission

The mission of the NATA is to enhance the quality of health care provided by certified athletic trainers and to advance the athletic training profession.

NATA Code of Ethics

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association Code of Ethics states the principles of ethical behavior that should be followed in the practice of athletic training. It is intended to establish and maintain high standards and professionalism for the athletic training profession.

The principles do not cover every situation encountered by the practicing athletic trainer, but are representative of the spirit with which athletic trainers should make decisions. The principles are written generally; the circumstances of a situation will determine the interpretation and application of a given principle and of the Code as a whole. When a conflict exists between the Code and the law, the law prevails.

PRINCIPLE 1:

Members shall respect the rights, welfare and dignity of all.

-1.1 Members shall not discriminate against any legally protected class.

-1.2 Members shall be committed to providing competent care.

-1.3 Members shall preserve the confidentiality of privileged information and shall not release such information to a third party not involved in the patient’s care without a release unless required by law.

PRINCIPLE 2:

Members shall comply with the laws and regulations governing the practice of athletic training.

-2.1 Members shall comply with applicable local, state, and federal laws and institutional guidelines.

-2.2 Members shall be familiar with and abide by all National Athletic Trainers’ Association standards, rules and regulations.

-2.3 Members shall report illegal or unethical practices related to athletic training to the appropriate person or authority.

-2.4 Members shall avoid substance abuse and, when necessary, seek rehabilitation for chemical dependency.

PRINCIPLE 3:

Members shall maintain and promote high standards in their provision of services.

-3.1 Members shall not misrepresent, either directly or indirectly, their skills, training, professional credentials, identity or services.

-3.2 Members shall provide only those services for which they are qualified through education or experience and which are allowed by their practice acts and other pertinent regulation.

-3.3 Members shall provide services, make referrals, and seek compensation only for those services that are necessary.

-3.4 Members shall recognize the need for continuing education and participate in educational activities that enhance their skills and knowledge.

-3.5 Members shall educate those whom they supervise in the practice of athletic training about the Code of Ethics and stress the importance of adherence.

-3.6 Members who are researchers or educators should maintain and promote ethical conduct in research and educational activities.

PRINCIPLE 4:

Members shall not engage in conduct that could be construed as a conflict of interest or that reflects negatively on the profession.

-4.1 Members should conduct themselves personally and professionally in a manner that does not compromise their professional responsibilities or the practice of athletic training.

-4.2 National Athletic Trainers’ Association current or past volunteer leaders shall not use the NATA logo in the endorsement of products or services or exploit their affiliation with the NATA in a manner that reflects badly upon the profession.

-4.3 Members shall not place financial gain above the patient‘s welfare and shall not participate in any arrangement that exploits the patient.

-4.4 Members shall not, through direct or indirect means, use information obtained in the course of the practice of athletic training to try to influence the score or outcome of an athletic event, or attempt to induce financial gain through gambling.

Lobbying

In February 2007, NATA lobbied on Capitol Hill to introduce the "Medicare Access to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services Improvement Act." This legislation will restore the right of physicians to choose the health care provider of their choice, and restore the ability of athletic trainers to provide services to Medicare beneficiaries. If the act is approved, it will benefit both patients and payers by reducing costs, improving outcomes and improving access to therapy services.

Districts

NATA consists of 10 districts:

• Eastern Athletic Trainers' Association (District 1)

-Connecticut

-Rhode Island

-Massachusetts

-Vermont

-New Hampshire

-Maine

• Eastern Athletic Trainers' Association (District 2)

-Delaware

-New Jersey

-New York

-Pennsylvania

• Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers' Association (District 3)

-Maryland

-North Carolina

-South Carolina

-Virginia

-West Virginia

-District of Columbia

• Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association (District 4)

- Illinois

-Indiana

-Michigan

-Minnesota

-Ohio

-Wisconsin

-Manitoba

-Ontario

• The Mid America Athletic Trainers' Association (District 5)

-Iowa

-Kansas

-Missouri

-Nebraska

-North Dakota

-Oklahoma

-South Dakota

• The Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association (District 6)

-Arkansas

-Texas

• The Rocky Mountain Athletic Trainers' Association (District 7)

-Arizona

-Colorado

-New Mexico

-Utah

-Wyoming

• Far West Athletic Trainers' Association (District 8)

-California

-Hawaii

-Nevada

• Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association (District 9)

-Alabama

-Florida

-Georgia

-Kentucky

-Louisiana

-Mississippi

-Tennessee

• Northwest Athletic Trainers' Association (District 10)

-Alaska

-Idaho

-Montana

-Oregon

-Washington

-Alberta

-British Columbia

-Saskatchewan

External links

• National Athletic Trainers' Association
• Journal of Athletic Training
• World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy
• Board of Certification,Inc.