Leadership from PATS Speaks for National Webinar on Progress of their NATA committees
Harrisburgh, PA (PRWEB) March 04, 2014 -- On Jan 30 2014, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) gave an opportunity to the committee chairs of its organization to present on a webinar. The NATA wanted the chairs to present on past projects, as well as current projects of each committee. Two committee chairs took advantage of this opportunity. Both committees are chaired by leaders of the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society (PATS). Linda Mazzoli, MS, LAT ATC, PTA, PES is the Executive Director of PATS and NATA, Chair Committee on Revenue (COR). Larry Cooper MS, LAT ATC, is the NATA, Chair Secondary School Committee. Cooper works at Penn Trafford High School outside of Pittsburgh PA.
Linda Mazzoli spoke on the importance of having National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers and assigning value to athletic trainer services for the physically active. NPI numbers are associated with a national database of medical providers run by the federal government. Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society is encouraging their athletic trainers to register for their NPI numbers. Mazzoli commented “Yes Pennsylvania is one of the leaders in having ATs gain their NPI. There are two reasons for this. First, there are almost 3,000 Athletic Trainers (ATs) in the Commonwealth. So with a larger number of ATs, you will have a larger number of NPI numbers. Secondly, PA tends to be a progressive state in staying up to date on National issues and supporting the NATA efforts. It also helps having the National NPI project group chair as a member of PATS, Jason Vian.”
Mazzoli also spoke on the value of athletic trainer services. COR has developed presentations and forms to help demonstrate to employers of athletic trainers the value of their position. It can be used by athletic trainers in any setting to establish quantifiable information to show to supervisors the need, worth and value for an athletic trainer. The information can then be used to create new positions, increase salaries, decrease liability, and/or demonstrate the need for more athletic training services. She laid out steps to help athletic trainers assign value for their services. Mazzoli stated “ATEP programs need to speak more about the profession as a business opportunity for the student's future” while “clinical rotations need to show students the ‘Value’ within their service to the organizations”. Lastly Mazzoli recommended “We need to stop giving away our services for free. Orthopedic physicians don't do ACL reconstructions for free, so why should we work for free?”
Cooper took his turn at presenting to the audience. He spoke on the progress of the NATA Secondary School committee. First and foremost, he wanted to make sure all athletic trainers knew that the Secondary School committee existed. Cooper noted “That just letting AT know the committee is working for them has been a priority in their mind.” They continue to focus on getting “creating ways to get an AT in every secondary schools.” Upcoming goals for his committee for the year are to increase the number of secondary school athletic trainers getting recognized by the NATA Awards and NATA Hall of Fame. “Secondary School awards are less than 30% of awards,” reported Cooper, “We have created a subcommittee for secondary school awards to increase the number of awards.” Mazzoli followed up on the topic of increasing awards to Pennsylvania secondary school athletic trainers “Absolutely. PA is rich in Athletic Training history, but most importantly in AT volunteerism. Having a large amount of ATEP programs allows us to breed great professionals who want to stay in the Commonwealth. Part of that breeding is a sense of duty to the profession; regardless of work setting.”
For more information regarding this topic or to schedule an interview with PATS President Yvette Ingram, PhD, LAT, ATC, please contact Linda Mazzoli MS, LAT, ATC, PATS Executive Director at patsexecutivedirector(at)gopats(dot)org.
The Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers' Society, Inc. is a progressive organization of licensed health care professionals who work under the direction of a licensed physician. Our society continues to increase public awareness and education regarding Athletic Trainers and the Athletic Training profession while serving as the premier source of information for public safety, injury and illness prevention, early intervention, patient care, and healthcare delivery for the physically active in the Commonwealth.
“The Keystone to a Healthy and Physically Active Life”
Mike Prybicien, District 2 National Athletic Trainers Association, http://www.natad2.org/, +1 (201) 788-2961, [email protected]
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