October 08, 2019

SLU AT Student Enjoys Returning to Alma Mater for Clinical Experience at Webster Groves HS

SLU AT Clinical Site Spotlight - Webster Groves High School
By: Abigail Hoffman (SLU MAT Class of 2020)

Being at Webster Groves High School for my PY2 year is an opportunity that I wanted to have, but wasn’t sure if I could have it. Since I graduated from Webster, this experience is very different for me. It’s pretty much like coming full circle. Sean Wright ATC, my former teacher and inspiration to become an athletic trainer is now my preceptor. I couldn’t be more grateful. I am treated as an equal there and I have the freedom and trust from my preceptor to provide athletes with evaluations and plans for treatment. One thing that I appreciate about my time at Webster so far is that I was fully immersed in athletic training duties straight away. Normally that situation would scare me, but I felt comfortable enough to jump in because I have the support. As a PY2, I think being treated as a certified athletic trainer (with supervision) is necessary to prepare me for my future career.
I have been able to dive deeper into rehabilitation techniques so far and learn from my preceptor as well as teach myself along the way. Being handed the task of finding rehab for an athlete on my own time is intimidating, but it helps me in the end to make my own decisions and be confident in them. I enjoy my role in the AT room because the athletes trust me and know that I have the knowledge to help them. I’ve managed to create a good rapport with the athletes and coaches, which is an important skill to master before graduating with this degree because of the need for communication and tactfulness.

I look forward to new experiences with different sports as the year advances. I have already been able to be put in situations that make me think on the spot, which is something I didn’t experience as much at my other clinical placements. My ability to make tough decisions will continue to grow because my preceptor allows me to make mistakes and learn from them. As my experience at Webster continues, I know I will become a more resourceful and critical thinker.

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.

No comments: