Questions to ask when working PRN Athletic Training

Questions Athletic Trainers Should Ask Before Working PRN

Most PRN/event athletic trainers are taught clinical skills… but not operational protection

Protect your:

✅ license

✅ liability

✅ time

✅ compensation

✅ sanity

Scope of Services

What services are ACTUALLY expected?

Emergency response

Injury evaluation

Prophylactic taping

Stretching/manual treatments

Rehab recommendations

Recovery equipment

Hydration monitoring

Performance recommendations

Medication dispensing

Avoid “scope creep.”

Medical Oversight & Authority

Before the event, clarify:

Physician standing orders provided?

Who has final authority to remove athletes from participation?

Protocols for:

💠weather

💠concussion

💠heat illness

💠EMS activation

Parent/athlete consent-to-treat process

AED onsite?

Crowd control/security available?

Compensation & Contract Questions

Do the math BEFORE accepting coverage:

Classified as a W-2 or 1099?

Contractor/employment agreement

Hourly or flat rate?

Minimum hours guaranteed?

Overtime/extra-hours rate?

Payment timeline?

Late payment policy?

Cancellation policy?

Emergency Operations & Logistics

Ask operational questions early:

Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Locked access points

Radio communication

Golf cart/transport provided?

Dedicated medical area?

Internet/Wi-Fi access?

Onsite contact/event manager?

Indoor/outdoor/multiple facilities?

Field/court map for visibility & response time

Staffing & Coverage Risk

Clarify the actual workload:

Number of ATs scheduled

Athlete population/age group

Number of fields/courts

Simultaneous venue coverage expectations

What happens if:

➡️ an AT calls out or a position goes unfilled?

Is there:

➡️ hazard or coverage differential for understaffing?

Documentation & Compliance

Protect your license:

HIPAA-compliant documentation platform?

Where does documentation go post-event?

Who owns medical records?

Documentation turnaround expectations

Incident reporting process

Medication dispensing policies

Travel, Supplies & Expenses

Clarify what YOU are paying for:

Travel or Mileage reimbursement

Hotel provided?

Meals for long shifts?

Ice access/reimbursement

Supplies provided? Kit fee offered?

Can tape/treatments be charged for?

Professional Protection

Important Reminder

Your liability insurance should be carried independently by YOU — not solely through the operator or staffing company.

PRN/event medicine often involves:

💠multiple entities

💠contractor ambiguity

💠variable coverage policies

💠increased operational liability

Protect yourself accordingly.

PRN work is more than an hourly rate.

Ask questions about: liability, staffing, logistics, compensation, operational support

Because “just showing up” can become your risk.

Anything missed?