SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Lafayette High School

Lafayette High School - Home of the Lancers!

By: Heather Koch (SLU MAT Class of 2014)

Lafayette High School was the location of my very first clinical rotation. Lafayette is a large high school in the Rockwood School district with a wide array of athletic teams. While I was there, I was able to watch the 2nd time state champion volleyball team play. I was on the sidelines of the Final Four playoff game for the football team. I was also present for the annual powder-puff game where the junior and senior girls go head to head in a football game. These were only a few of the unique experiences I had at Lafayette.

SLU AT student Heather Koch and Heather Carroll ATC cover  a softball game at Lafayette HS.

While at Lafayette High School my preceptor was their athletic trainer, Heather Carroll  ATC, who is contracted through PRORehab to work at the high school. Working closely with Heather helped me to grow so much as a student and even more as a future professional. She provided me with opportunities to apply the knowledge I learned in the classroom to a real life situation. This privilege allowed me to learn more than I ever could have in a classroom setting. My skill set at the start of my clinical rotation is drastically different today as I begin at my new clinical site for the second semester. In August, when I began I was only proficient (if that is what you want to call it) at taping ankles. Now, I can confidently say I am able to evaluate a variety of injuries, tape various extremities, provide wound care, and assist in rehab and stretching. In addition to acquiring skills throughout my clinical experience, I also learned a great deal about the profession of Athletic Training and the various aspects of it.

The students were another strong aspect of the experience at my clinical site. My name is also Heather so it was fun for both Heather Carroll and I to notice the student’s (and coaches) reactions when I introduced myself, but at least no one forgot my name. We also had a white board outside of the training room that we began using for a joke of the day. This was just a fun addition to the day for all of us. My experience at Lafayette was one of a kind and I could not be more thankful for the opportunity I had to get to work under such a wonderful athletic trainer, great coaches and athletes, as well as several others I encountered on a weekly basis (athletic director, team doctor, etc.) I am sad to leave, but also so excited to see what is to come. My first clinical site truly prepared me for whatever is next.

               

This is one of a series of posts by the Saint Louis University Athletic Training students featuring their clinical site and their preceptors. The number, quality and diversity of clinical instruction are major assets for the SLU AT Program.