About the UCR Sports Medicine Internship Program
Athletic Training is an allied health profession that is responsible for the prevention, management, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. It also includes the education and counseling of athletes, parents and coaches about athletic injuries, along with administration and organization of athletic medicine programs. The certified athletic trainer is a qualified professional who is an integral part of an athletic program at the high school, university, professional or club levels. The profession is recognized by the American Medical Association.

The University of California Riverside Athletic Training staff is committed to providing the best medical and health care services possible to members of UCR athletics teams. Under the Direction of the Head Athletic Trainer and Assistant Athletic Trainers, the sports medicine intern will assist & learn duties required of a certified athletic trainer. Duties include, but not limited to, first aid, on-field injury evaluations, preventative taping, bracing, athletic reconditioning, physical therapy as well as practice & game coverage. Interns will be introduced to record keeping & charting, & pre-participation physicals. Interns will prepare and present projects, have weekly assignments, and have hands on practical experience everyday. SM Interns will also assist in medical coverage of athletic events associated with training and competing at the Division I level.

What are the benefits of the program?
The UC Riverside Sports Medicine Internship program has a strong and consistent history of providing ethical, high quality, and progressive health care and prevention to its intercollegiate athletes. UCR is providing you with the opportunity to “learn by doing” and observing the skills of a Certified Athletic Trainer. The Sports Medicine Intern must demonstrate a level of professionalism that includes self-discipline and motivation to develop knowledge, skills, and experiences. To be successful you must demonstrate that you are dependable, mature, organized and have common sense.

Participation in the UC Riverside Sports Medicine Internship program is a rewarding and educational experience. Interns will receive the chance to learn sports medicine hands on from a highly regarded Division I Sports Medicine Staff that includes Certified Athletic Trainers, Physicians, Sports Psychologist, Chiropractor, Massage Therapists, Dentists and Podiatrists. Under the direct supervision of its staff, the intern will acquire skills necessary in the medical profession and to help further the students in a post graduate education such as medical school, physical therapy, athletic training and other allied health professions.

UC Riverside does not hold an accreditation (CAAHEP) by the National Athletic Training Association Board of Certification. Therefore does not offer an opportunity to become a Certified Athletic Trainer. Students interested in schools that offer undergraduate and graduate athletic training programs should check the following link: http://www.caahep.org/

Program goals and objectives
The goals and objectives of the UC Riverside Sports Medicine Internship are:
1. To provide students with the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills associated with Sports Medicine.
2. To promote acceptable standards of ethical conduct and professionalism
3. To continually seek the highest quality in a.) Instruction, b.) Clinical experience and c. ) Professional growth.

Academic component
Sports Medicine Intern/Student Athletic Trainers must maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA to stay in the Professional Program. All students must complete the academic coursework leading to a Bachelor degree suited for acceptance into an allied health profession.

As part of the S.M. Internship, students will be offered the chance to earn course units (pass or fail) through an Internship course offered through the College of Biomedical Sciences. This is based on acceptance into the S.M. Internship program.

The future of the S.M. Internship program will entail a two year academic program that will progress you through the beginning and advanced stages of athletic training and sports medicine. This program is slated to begin in the Fall of 2006.

Clinical component
Sports Medicine Interns will gain experience with both men's and women's sports teams and will be exposed to a variety of sporting activities. Interns will also have the chance to gain experience through observing surgeries, learning rehabilitation protocols, various taping and bracing techniques as well as the role of first responder in emergency situations.

Professional component
Sports Medicine Interns will be assigned to work in the UCR athletic training room. During that time they will be assigned to various sports teams under the direct supervision of a Certified Athletic Trainer (s). Senior S.M. Interns will be given more responsibilities where appropriate and will be responsible for mentoring “junior” Interns. A Sports Medicine Intern’s responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
• Team travel
• Game supervision
• Practice supervision
• In-services/Workshops
• Presentations
• Surgery observations
• Team Physician assistance
• Pre-participation physical examinations
• Providing a safe environment for participation
• Planning and conducting rehabilitation programs

How to become a Sports Medicine Intern
APPLICATION PROCESS:
• Submit a 1 page letter describing why you are interested in becoming a SM Intern. (Personal statement)
• Submit an application
• Have an overall GPA above 3.00
• Be able to show Evidence of academic progression and ability to handle clinical and academic demands of the program
• Submit two letters of recommendation
• Have a current certification in CPR & First Aid
• Interview with Program Committee
• Enroll in course (Permission Needed)

Contact information: