BOC APPROVED PROVIDER Maintenance Requirements Effective January 20202 INTRODUCTION 3INTRODUCTION 3What is an Athletic Trainer 3Definition 3 Purpose of Continuing Education 4Continuing Education Requirements 4 Athletic Training Practice and Domains 4Health Care Education Clarification 5 What is a BOC Approved Provider 5Definition 5Reponsibilities 6Provider Versus Host 6Documentation of Policies and Procedures to Develop Programs 6Joint Providership 7ORGANIZATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 7Appropriate Language 8Non-Discriminatory Practices 8Copyright 9Conflict of Interest 11Cancellation/Refund Policy 11Logos 12PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT 13Plan Ahead 14 Determine CE Category 14Category A 14Evidence Based Practice Category 15Determine Program Type 15Determine Audience 16Determine Professional Practice Gap and Educational Need 17 Determine Topic and Content 17Identify Qualified Program Faculty 18Develop Measurable Learning Objectives 19Create Participant Assessments 20Create Program Evaluations 21PROGRAM LOGISTICS 22Pre-Program 22Create Program Schedule and Assign CEUs 23Market Your Event 25Create Attendance Roster 26Create Statement of Credit 26Collect Program Faculty Documentation 27During the Program 27 Attendance Roster 27Declare Conflicts of Interests 27 Participant Assessments 27Program Evaluations 28Post-Program 28Distribute Statements of Credit 28 Review Program Evaluations 28Provide Feedback to Program Faculty 28 Conduct Internal Program Review 28Retain Records 28 Process Complaints 29STANDARDS FOR BOC APPROVED PROVIDERS 29 Standard 1: Administration 30Standard 2: Business Practices 31 Standard 3: Content 31Standard 4: Development and Instruction 32Standard 5 Participant Aessessment 32Standard 6: Program Evaluation and Review 33BOC APPROVED PROVIDER NON-COMPLIANCE POLICES AND PROCEDURES 33Introduction 33Non-Compliance Policies 33 Non-Compliance Procedures 35GLOSSARY TABLE OF CONTENTS3 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION What is an Athletic Trainer Definition Athletic Trainers (ATs) are health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education and training and the states’ statutes, rules and regulations. As a part of the health care team, services provided by ATs include primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as a health care profession. Purpose of Continuing Education The purpose of continuing (CE) is to promote continued competence, develop current knowledge and skills and enhance professional skills and judgment. CE activities must be intended for health care providers and focus on increasing knowledge, skills and abilities related to the practice of athletic training. CE is meant to ensure ATs continue to: • Stay on the cutting edge in the field of athletic training. • Obtain current professional development information. • Explore new knowledge in specific content areas. • Master new athletic training related skills and techniques. • Expand approaches to effective athletic training. • Further develop professional judgment. • Conduct professional practice in an ethical and appropriate manner. • Improve patient outcomes.4 INTRODUCTION Continuing Education Requirements ATs are required to complete a minimum number of BOC approved Evidence Based Practice (EBP) continuing education units (CEUs) during the certification maintenance period. The current certification maintenance period ends December 31, 2021. ATs certified in 2019 or before must complete a total of 50 CEUs, including 10 EBP CEUs ATs certified in 2020 must complete a total of 25 CEUs, including 5 EBP CEUs Athletic Training Practice and Domains The practice of athletic training is covered through five practice domains identified in the “Practice Analysis, 7th Edition” (PA7). The PA7 identifies essential knowledge and skills for the athletic training profession and is updated every five-to-six years. The five practice domains are identified below. Additional details regarding each domain can be found on the BOC website. Injury and Illness Prevention and Wellness Promotion - Promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors with effective education and communication to enhance wellness and minimize the risk of injury and illness Examination, Assessment and Diagnosis - Implementing systematic, evidence-based examinations and assessments to formulate valid clinical diagnoses and determine patients’ plan of care Immediate and Emergency Care - Integrating best practices in immediate and emergency care for optimal outcomes Therapeutic Intervention - Rehabilitating and reconditioning injuries, illnesses and general medical conditions with the goal of achieving optimal activity level based on core concepts using the applications of therapeutic exercise, modality devices and manual techniques Health Care Administration and Professional Responsibility - Integrating best practices in policy construction and implementation, documentation and basic business practices to promote optimal patient care and employee well-being Health Care Education Clarification If the program or activity content incorporates tasks from PA7 in a substantive manner or has a focus of health care education, it may qualify for CEUs. If the content of the program or activity addresses pedagogy or improving the skill of teaching, or assessing participant learning outcomes, it does not qualify for CEUs. For example, programs related to teaching a clinical skill, documentation or communication involve tasks in the PA7 and qualify for CEUs. Curriculum design, however does not represent tasks incorporated in the PA7 and does not qualify for CEUs.5 INTRODUCTION What is a BOC Approved Provider Standard 1 Definition BOC Approved Providers are qualified to offer Level I continuing education activities to ATs. The BOC approves individuals, companies and organizations to provide CE activities to ATs. The BOC Approved Provider status is a blanket approval, which is granted annually and covers all Category A live events and home study programs offered by the provider that comply with the “BOC Approved Provider Maintenance Requirements.” EBP Category programs are approved on an individual basis under a separate application. Responsibilities As a BOC Approved Provider, you must: • Comply with the “BOC Approved Provider Maintenance Requirements.” • Comply with the “BOC Approved Provider Maintenance Requirements.” • Identify one individual as a contact person who will be responsible for communicating with the BOC and disseminating information to anyone who will provide instruction to ATs. • Respond to all BOC staff inquiries and customer complaints. • Notify the BOC of any organizational changes. • Not assign or transfer your provider number to another individual or organization. Agreements clearly defining the working relationship between parties must be developed for joint providership opportunities. Photo courtesy of Andrews Research & Education Foundation6 INTRODUCTION Provider Versus Host The host of the event is considered the organization that provides the venue. The provider of the program is the organization that supplies marketing materials, tracks registration, collects fees, distributes CE certificates and maintains documentation. The provider of the program must be a current BOC Approved Provider in order to provide Category A CEUs to ATs. Documentation of Policies and Procedures to Develop Programs BOC Approved Providers must establish processes for developing, administering and documenting programs. Written policies and procedures used to develop, administer, deliver, conduct and assess the program and participants provide continuity for the organization and program development across time. The written procedures promote compliance. Each organization must have individual policies and procedures or an operations manual that outlines the steps their organization takes to develop programs for ATs. A sample operations manual is available on the BOC website. Joint Providership Joint sponsorship occurs when at least one approved and one non-approved entities collaborate to offer a CE program. BOC Approved Providers planning and presenting activities with another party are engaging in “joint sponsorship.” A documented agreement that clearly outlines which party is responsible for various tasks to offer a compliant program is needed. The BOC Approved Provider must take responsibility for a CE activity when it is presented in cooperation with another organization. Use the following statement to identify your program as a BOC Approved Provider Program. This program has been planned and implemented in accordance with the requirements and policies of the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) through the joint sponsorship of (name of BOC Approved Provider) and (name of non-BOC approved provider). The (name of BOC Approved Provider) is approved by the BOC to provide continuing education for Athletic Trainers.7 ORGANIZATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ORGANIZATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Standard 2 Appropriate Language Respect for your organization, administrators, program faculty and participants is important. Be sure to use language that does not show personal or professional bias or cultural insensitivity. Also, be sure your terminology is correct. Commonly confused terms include the following: AT and ATC An AT is a person, while ATC is a credential. AT refers to the person (e.g., Jane Doe is an AT). ATC appears only after a Certified Athletic Trainer’s name (e.g., Jane Doe, ATC). Athletic Trainer and trainer Always write Athletic Trainer or BOC Certified Athletic Trainer. By itself, “trainer” does not distinguish between Athletic Trainers and other professionals. BOC and NATA The BOC is the credentialing agency that certifies ATs and approves organizations to offer continuing education. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) is the professional membership association for Certified Athletic Trainers and others who support the athletic training profession.8 ORGANIZATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Non-Discriminatory Practices No individual should be denied participation in CE programs offered by BOC Approved Providers on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, military status, sexual orientation or age. The statement below is provided for inclusion in education program materials including, but not limited to, mailings, brochures and websites. (Company Name) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, military status, sexual orientation or age. (Company Name) is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in all aspects of its continuing education activities. Participants who have special needs are encouraged to contact program organizers so that all reasonable efforts to accommodate these needs can be made. A sample slide is also available on the BOC website. Program Faculty Release Form Click here to a view sample on the BOC website. Copyright The United States federal law takes violations of copyright infringement seriously. To avoid copyright infringement violations: • Ensure copyright permission of materials used by program faculty are identified on all program materials. Audio-visual and program related materials should not be excluded. • Obtain information to identify the permission of use for protected program materials (e.g., program faculty release form, leasing agreement or other documentation). A sample program faculty release form is available on the BOC website. • Genericize programs during program development by using Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, kinesiology taping and other generic information that is not a protected technique, product name or intellectual property.9 ORGANIZATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Sponsor Disclosure Slide Click here to a view sample on the BOC website. Program Faculty Disclosure Slide Click here to a view sample on the BOC website. Provider Disclaimer Slide Click here to a view sample on the BOC website. Conflict of Interest Conflict of interest is a situation in which social, professional or financial considerations have the potential to compromise or bias objectivity. An apparent conflict of interest is one in which a reasonable person would think the provider’s objectivity is likely to be compromised. Conflicts of interest include, but are not limited to, financial in- terests and nonofficial relationships that may impact personal benefit. It is important for participants at educational activities to be aware of any and all conflicts. BOC Approved Providers shall make public potential and actual conflicts of interest and financial gain associated with any programs, providers, program faculty or sponsors. In addition, BOC Approved Providers shall follow an effective and responsible conflict of interest policy that clearly specifies: • Acceptable relationships and activities. • Prohibited relationships and activities. • Clear guidelines on how to make certain all such arrangements are transparent. • A transparent system where potential and actual conflicts of interest for providers, program faculty or sponsors are declared. Examples of conflict of interest include: • Health care providers and medical organizations pursuing private financial gain which may compromise their professional responsibilities. • A person is paid to promote uses of products. • A researcher or family member participating in research owned by a business in which the faculty member holds a financial interest. • A researcher participating in research developed by that researcher. • A researcher who wishes to recruit a subject who is also a student, an employee, a colleague or a subordinate of the researcher. • A sponsor who pays program faculty to promote their products. The sample disclosure slides are available on the BOC website.Next >