| Clinical Experience |
Students work with certified athletic trainers and physical therapists who serve 18 varsity sports in five athletic training rooms, an on-campus physical therapy clinic, and three off-campus sites. They have been developed for the student to gain hands-on experience and to introduce them to the various settings in the health care field.
Clinical rotations are done at the following sites:
- Iowa State University Athletic Training Rooms (5)
- Cyclone Sports Medicine Clinic
- Ames High School
- McFarland Clinic
- Drake University
Clinical Rotations
After students are admitted into the athletic training program, they begin clinical rotations. The first year athletic training students are assigned clinical experiences with the Iowa State University Football Team or Ames High School Football. At the conclusion of the football season, students complete three separate four-week rotations at the Cyclone Sports Medicine Clinic, Ames High School, and Iowa State University Off season Football before returning to spring football. First year athletic training students also complete a surgical observation with one of the two Iowa State University Team Orthopedic Surgeons.
After the first year, students are then assigned to semester or year-long clinical rotations. These assignments are with Iowa State University Athletic Teams or with one of the athletic training program affiliated sites. Assignments are determined by the athletic training staff and are designed to give students a variety of clinical experiences.
Each rotation is under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer and/or physical therapist. The rotations allow an athletic training student to gain experience with different athletes and patients, and to interact with different health care personnel.
Athletic Training Students at Iowa State can also gain clinical experience by volunteering for special events such as:
- Drake Relays
- Iowa State High School Association Wrestling Tournament
- High School Football through Out-Reach opportunities with McFarland Clinic
- Special Olympics
- Area Youth Sporting Events
Students enjoy these experiences and often comment on the value and reward of volunteering for such events. These events also allow students the opportunity to network with other athletic trainers and health care professionals.
