Athletic Training

The St. Francis Department of Athletics provides a part-time Certified Athletic Trainer, Mrs. Nicole Sutherland. She is also a teacher on staff for our biomedical science pathway.
 
Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) specialize in the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic related injuries and illnesses. This is in addition to the coordination of pre-participation physical exams, selection of protective equipment, daily coverage of practices and games, application of various therapeutic modalities, and designing & implementing injury-specific rehabilitation programs.
 
The St. Francis High School Athletic Trainer is responsible for delivering high quality medical care to all of our student-athletes. We use evidence-based techniques in order to return our student-athletes safely back to competition. In caring for our student-athletes, we strictly abide by rules and regulations set forth by California Interscholastic Federation, the National Athletic Trainers Association, and the American Medical Association.
 
The Athletic Trainer is also responsible for the screening and monitoring of all St. Francis student-athletes in the ImPact Concussion Monitoring Program. Management of sports-related concussion is evolving rapidly. Recently, there has been a significant amount of research regarding sports-related concussion and its impact on student-athletes. St. Francis participates in the ImPact Concussion Program by requiring all student-athletes complete a baseline concussion test as Freshman and again as Juniors during their high school career. Our athletes are also required to participate in a concussion education training program called Brain Book; both testing and education are a free service to our student-athletes.
 
More information about ImPact can be found by visiting our dedicated page. Listed below are the concussion protocols for returning to school and activities after sustaining a concussion.
 
Sports Medicine Club
The Sports Medicine Club was designed to create an environment where students can observe and experience the field of Sports Medicine. Through a hands-on learning environment, members can become Student Athletic Trainers. Student Athletic Trainers will gain knowledge in the following areas:
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Assist with the immediate care of injuries
  • Observe and understand rehabilitation techniques while assisting athletes with basic rehabilitation exercises
  • Assist with the application of modalities and understand the effectiveness of each
  • Support the Athletic Trainer with procedures during games and practices
 
The goal of the program is to prepare our student aides for future education and professional responsibility. Hours worked in the training room and during games can be counted towards their community service hours requirement.
 
Please contact Ms. Nicole Sutherland for more information or questions.