The Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) is an organization devoted to the health care of Canadians. Certified Athletic Therapists, CAT(C)s, in cooperation with performance enhancement personnel and members of the health care delivery team, is an integral part of a total service to maximize the performance and welfare of all Canadians. Concomitant with the execution of this role, the Athletic Therapist nurtures an attitude of positive health.
The scope of practice of a Certified Athletic Therapist starts with the in-depth knowledge, education, and training in the areas of the human musculoskeletal system, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and basic emergency care.
The CATA Competency Framework was developed in 2020. This consists of 165 competencies, grouped in one of the following seven categories:
- Athletic Therapy Expert
- Professional
- Collaborator
- Communicator
- Scholar
- Leader
- Health Advocate
The athletic therapy competencies are used to examine, identify, and prioritize the critical tasks of a profession and the essential competencies an individual should possess to perform the required functions of the job in a satisfactory manner. It provides the basis of the knowledge and skills required to attempt and pass the National Certification Exam (NCE). Certified Athletic Therapists must also adhere to all provincial legislation and documents governing the use of any adjunct training outside of the entry-level scope for a Certified Athletic Therapist.
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CATA Scope of Practice Assessment Tool Instructions: The determination of an individual clinician’s scope of practice is based on several factors and requires an individual to complete a self-assessment. This tool is intended to provide you with the steps that should be taken to determine if a particular skill is within an individual Certified Athletic Therapist’s Scope of Practice. All steps need to be considered before making a decision. |
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| Step | Decision | Details |
| Does this skill fall within the core education of a minimally competent Certified Athletic Therapist? | If the skill was taught within your accredited program as part of your Athletic Therapy education and/or is found within the CATA Competency Framework then you may be able to perform it on a patient. | Refer to the basic learning goals from your course work during your AT education as well as the CATA Competency Framework available on the CATA website. |
| Are you trained and competent in the skill? | If you have received adequate training and able to perform the skill in a competent, safe manner, then you may be able to perform it on a patient. |
Have you received adequate training and are able to perform the skill in a competent, safe manner? Refer to the learning goals from any additional education you may have done. Did you successfully complete a competence test of this skill/act that deemed you competent? |
| Is the skill/act provincially restricted, protected, prohibited, reserved, etc. | If the skill is not restricted by provincial legislation, then you may be able to perform it on a patient. | Refer to provincial legislation on restricted medical acts in your province. |
| This chart is to assist Certified Athletic Therapists with assessing whether they have the minimum educational and practical skills necessary to provide certain treatment modalities and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of factors to consider. Further the chart is not intended to provide any type of legal opinion or direction. | ||