Registered Athletic Trainers’, according to Minnesota State law, may provide athletic training services based on protocols established between the athletic trainer and their cooperating physician. Specifically the Minnesota Athletic Trainers’ Act [sec. 7. 148.7806] states that “in a clinical, corporate and physical therapy setting, when the service provided is, or is represented as being, physical therapy, an athletic trainer may work only under the direct supervision of a physical therapist in compliance with 148.65 definitions.” Minnesota Physical Therapy Statutes and Rules.” When athletic trainers’ are providing services, regardless of setting, - that are not represented as physical therapy the Physical Therapy Statutes and Rules do not apply.
According to the physical therapist act, the physical therapists may not delegate any of the following [5601.1400]:
*In the cases of treatment planning or changing of treatment, even though the physical therapist cannot delegate these, they can certainly coordinate treatment with the athletic trainer if appropriate.
According to precedent law set by United States District Court, District of Minnesota, United States of America, ex rel., Toni Lee v. Fairview Health System, Civ. No. 02-270 (D. Minn. July 22, 2004) the courts have ruled that Physical Therapist’s can delegate certain physical therapy services to Athletic Trainers’. That case specifically rejected the argument that only physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and physical therapy aides could provide physical therapy services. Instead, it reaffirmed that athletic trainers may provide physical therapy services when working under the direct supervision of a physical therapist. These services must be within the scope of practice of the athletic trainer.
For the competencies and proficiencies required by entry-level athletic trainer education programs refer to the National Athletic Trainers’ Associations’ Educational Competencies and Clinical Proficiencies (most current edition). Practicing athletic trainers’ may have obtained additional educational competency and clinical proficiency through continuing education or preparation.