Billy Martin ARTC becomes first ARTI member to gain qualifications in Canada

Billy Martin ARTC, CAT(C) in Vancouver

Billy Martin has recently become the first ARTI member to take on the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association's certification exams and is now recognised as a Certified Athletic Therapist (Canada). This success comes not long after passing the ARTI exams and gaining ARTC status in January 2015. 

ARTI President, Paul Berry, congratulated Billy on his achievements

'On behalf of ARTI I would like to congratulate Billy Martin on being the first ARTI member to successfully sit and pass the CATA exam. Billy's success follows shortly after ARTI member Paddy McEvoy passed the BOC exam in the USA last December. We're delighted to see ARTI members avail of the historic agreement between ARTI, CATA and BOC which came into effect on January 1st 2015. This trilateral agreement entitles members of each organisation to sit the certification exams of the other two countries. Well done Paddy and Billy - blazing a trail for ARTI!'

Speaking from Vancouver, Canada, where he is currently practicing as an CAT(C), Billy describes his journey to getting ther

'I certified with ARTI in January 2015. I emigrated to Vancouver in March of that year. I started out by contacting several registered CATA members; initially to seek advice about preparing for the national certification exams. Over time, this led me in the right direction, and I became acquainted with fellow Canadian colleagues that were also challenging the exams.

The exams consisted of a three hour, 200 question multiple choice theory, and four 30 minute practicals between clinical and field. This required regular practice within groups, which was hard to come by, as the only athletic therapy school in British Columbia is located on Vancouver island. It's fair to say that I only realised the size of the task at hand, once I was well into the process. For an international, the exams consist of nuances that one can only comprehend by attempting them.

As I was awaiting certification, I acquired my own insurance, and began picking up a lot of field work as a certification candidate; most of which was with two minor ice hockey academies. From September 2015 - March 2016, I covered a lot of hockey games, which included extensive travel throughout British Columbia and Alberta.  In between there have been opportunities in Canadian football, soccer, lacrosse and basketball. Since March, an opening became available for an athletic therapist at an interdisciplinary concussion clinic in Vancouver. I had been lucky to be able to work there as a certification candidate, and now that I have achieved certification, there is an opportunity for me to develop the role of the athletic therapist among an experienced and talented team of health professionals. I worked extremely hard to achieve certification, and at times it felt like a bridge too far. In the end, I'm satisfied, and it brought home to me what progess ARTI has made since it's recent inception.

I'd like to extend my gratitude to all ARTI members who have worked diligently in helping it to become a reputable organisation, and the opportunities it has afforded to it's members, home and abroad.

Life in Canada has been very good for me, so far. It seems like there many opportunities, and it is a beautiful country, with friendly people, much like our own. I'd be happy to offer advice to ARTI members considering coming to Canada in the future.'

 Congratulations again to Billy and we all wish him best of luck in his future career.

If you have any comments or questions regarding the CATA certification process or any other query arising from Billy's story then please leave a comment or get in touch at artipublicrelationsofficer@gmail.com

ARTI action on the double in Croker!

This Sunday spells the finale of the 2012 GAA All-Ireland Football Championship for both minor and senior football codes, in the coliseum of Croke Park. And ARTI will be well represented at GAA headquarters, on what is traditionally the biggest day in the Gaelic football calendar.

Cillian MacSuibhne ARTC, will be first in action, perched in the Dublin dugout for the curtain raiser, as the Metropolitans face off with Meath in the minor football decider. MacSuibhne, who is currently completing his medical studies in the Royal College of Surgeons, practices Athletic Therapy part-time with the North Dublin based, ExWell Medical Clinic.



Cillian MacSuibhne

Later Sunday afternoon, Mayo will utilise the services of Liam Moffatt ARTC on their sideline, as the westerners take on the might of Donegal in the day’s blue riband event. Moffatt, a Crossmolina native, practices in the recently established Mayo Sports Clinic in Ballina, while also having links with DCU Sport and ExWell Medical Clinic in North Dublin.

Liam Moffatt

Both Cillian and Liam are 2009 graduates of DCU’s Athletic Therapy & Training degree. We wish both men the very best of luck this weekend in their respective games and in their final preparations this week.

 

                

ARTI at London 2012!

ARTI was proudly represented this summer at, arguably the world’s biggest sporting event, the hugely distinguished Olympic and Paralympics Games, which were held in London during August and early September.

Limerick based therapist, Kathryn Fahy ARTC, was first in action during the Olympic Games. The 2010 DCU Athletic Therapy graduate was a volunteer at the basketball arena in Stratford’s, Olympic Park. Fahy, pictured below, was a ‘Field of Play Team Member’. Her duties involved, ensuring the competition court, warm-up courts, changing rooms and all sidelines were maintained to a high standard, ready for teams during game time, throughout the competition period. She also had a role in maintaining flow about the court, directing athletes and support staff to the correct areas.

Kathryn on court in Stratford.

Meath man, Declan Monaghan ARTC, was next in action, this time during the Paralympic Games. The Dublin based therapist spent 10 days in the Olympic Stadium, volunteering as an 'Emergency First Responder'. His duties involved providing medical coverage and assitance for primarily the stadium’s spectators during the evening sessions of the Paralympic Athletics events.  Monaghan, pictured below, was part of a team of crowd doctors, crowd nurses and fellow therapists providing emergency care over the extent of the games. 

Declan trackside.

Well done to both Kathryn and Declan in gaining selection and playing a part in such an inspiring sporting event.

 

Spinal Manipulation Course in November

We have a two day Grade V Spinal Manipulations course coming up on the 15th & 16th November 2012 here in Carlow Rehabilitation & Sports Injury Centre. It is the first Grade V manipulations course run here in Ireland for Sports Rehabilitators or Athletic Trainers in over 8years
.
The course is given by Neil Langridge MSc MCSP MMACP. He is an experienced tutor in Spinal Manipulations and has delivered this course content all over the UK and Europe.

Neil is the clinical lead for spinal triage and rehabilitation leading two musculoskeletal departments and a team of Clinical specialists in a large PCT. He has worked within the NHS, private sector and Armed Forces. He completed his MACP in 2002 and his MSc in Manipulative Physiotherapy at Brighton University in 2003. Currently lecturing externally at Southampton University, Neil also takes post graduate students from Brighton and UCL. He has been involved in teaching manipulation techniques for a number of years and has a special interest in the clinical effects of manipulation.

Neil is currently undertaking his Doctorate in Clinical Practice at Southampton University where he is aiming to look at the clinical reasoning process of ESP Physiotherapists.
The course content will cover Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar and Sacro-Iliac manipulation techniques.

Course Outline is as follows:

Day 1
Introduction/Background to manipulation
Passive assessment Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar spine
VBI lecture/Protocol
Stability Tests
Lumbar Technique
Day 2
Lumbar Techniques
Thoracic Techniques
Cervical Techniques
Pre Manip Soft Tissue Techniques
Conclusions & Questions

A detailed and referenced course manual is included in the course fee. There is the option to purchase an instructive DVD at an additional cost at the end of the course. Tea and coffee are included. Due to the practical nature of the course places are limited to 14 and are secured on a ‘first come first served’ basis on the receipt of the course fee in full of €375.

Payment may be made in full by cheque or Bank Draft to ‘Athletic Performance Ltd.’ before the 20th October 2012. Cancellations made after the 31st of October cannot be refunded.

 

 

Donohoe Delights Order of Malta Charity Cycle

A 4-day trans Ireland charity cycle was held recently in aid of the Order of Malta's International Summer Camp for Young Disabled 2013. ARTI member Michael Donohoe answered the call in utilising his treatment skills to aid the group on their journey from Dublin to Galway and back again, a staggering 430km trip.

The group started the journey from Dublin on Wednesday the 8th of August travelling 120+km to Athlone. Michael met them here initially, as they rested overnight and got treatment for niggles and soreness. The group departed Athlone the next day, completing the 90km cycle to Galway city. Michael then rejoined the group on there return trip through Athlone on August 10th, where he again treated the aches and pains, allowing the group to successfully complete there challenge back to Dublin on August 11th.

Each of the 2 treatment periods lasted over 3 hours and involved managing new and current injuries, recovery massages, trigger points treatments, Kinesio taping and crucially some advise on how to make the most of their recovery time throughout the four days.

Michael is seen below, (back row, 3rd from right) with the cylce team that completed the 4 day endevour!

Michael Donohoe is based in the Athlone/ Moate, Westmeath, ARTI member, Athletic Therapy & Training graduate (2011), specialist in Injury assessments, diagnosis, and treatments and available for squad training and match day emergency care, rehabilitation and reconditioning programs.

 

Pre-ARTI Examination Workshop

ARTI are please to announce details of a pre-exam study workshop to be held for those preparing for the next round of certification examinations.

The workshop, headed by Fiachra Power ARTC, will take place on Monday August 13th at 11am in room A141, Albert College, DCU.


Could all interested parties please confirm attendance as soon as possible with Fiachra directly on email fiachra.power@gmail.com

EFR & CFR Course - PHECC Accredited

ARTI are pleased to announce the upcoming running of both an Emergency First Response and Cardiac First Response course to be held in DCU, leading to PHECC accreditation. Details below:

Course Date: Monday 3rd Sept - Friday 7th Sept

Time: 0900 to 1700 with lunch from 1pm-2pm

Venue: A141 in DCU.

Cost: €300 - to include Tuition, Exam CFR/EFR handouts; CFR & EFR certificate all consumables & equipment plus tea and coffee. (Lunch not included)


ARTI Members will be credited with their prior knowledge of Anatomy & Physiology.
Assessment at the end of the course will be via MCQ and practical scenario assessment.

To book your place please email   downeym@dcu.ie