Athletic Trainer

Description of Work

Prevention, recognition, management, and rehabilitation of sport related injuries are the main goal for athletic trainers deal. They assist athletes with avoiding unnecessary medical treatment and disruption of normal daily activities. The trainers watch over athletes in programs to maintain physical fitness and prevent injury. They want to make sure athletes are in best physical condition. Athletic trainers also organize and supervise physical examinations before the actual season starts. They evaluate the conditions of athletes, discuss with coaches and team physicians, and develop exercise programs and diets. (Athletic Trainer) Trainers must advice players about their nutrition, diet, weight control, and other health matters. They also inspect equipment and choose the proper protective equipment for the athletes. Trainers must tape, pad, wrap, bandage, or brace limps or muscles of players to protect from injury. They are the ones to evaluate injuries and decide if the athlete needs further medical treatment. Athletic trainers develop conditioning and injury rehabilitation programs. Trainers make the hard choice when players are fit to compete. (Athletic Discover) Athletic Trainers work under the supervision of a licensed physician. The supervision ranges from discussing specific injuries and treatment options to performing evaluations and treatments as directed by a physician. They also may have administrative responsibilities. These can include meetings with an athletic director to deal with purchases, budgets, and policy implementation. (Bureau) Schedules vary by work setting. Athletic trainers may have to work six or seven days a week, including late hours. During training camps, practices, and competitions, they may be required to work up to twelve hours a day. “Giving up personal time, Saturday days and Friday nights is a disadvantage in this career,” says Megan McGovern, a certified high school trainer. “Be prepared to not have much of a life. There are crazy hours, and not a lot of free time.” (McGovern) Athletic Trainers may work for: high schools, colleges, universities, professional teams, the Armed Forces, clinics, hospitals, and health clubs. They are responsible for their athlete’s health, and sometimes have to make quick decisions that could affect the health of their athlete. Athletic Trainers also can be affected by the pressure to win that is typical of competitive sports team. (Bureau)

Education and Training

A bachelor’s degree from a college of university is required for almost all jobs as an athletic trainer. In 2004, there were more than 300 accredited programs nationwide. (Bureau) In addition, athletic trainers study human physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, athletic training, nutrition, and psychology/counseling. (Certified) A major in athletic training is part of the requirement for becoming certified by the Board of Certification (BOC). A candidate must also pass an examination that includes written questions and practical applications. Athletic trainers are also required by law to continue their education throughout their career. These are called C.E.U’s or Continuing Education Units. One must complete 80 units every three years (McGovern). According to the National Trainers’ Association, 70 percent of athletic trainers have a master’s or doctoral degree. There are a number of ways in which athletic trainers can advance into higher positions. Assistant athletic trainers may become head athletic trainers and eventually, athletic directors. Athletic trainers might also enter a physician group practice and assume a management role. They must continue to update their skills and knowledge. They go to clinics, seminars, and training sessions to keep up-to-date on the latest techniques in the field. To maintain their certification, they must earn continuing education credits.

Knowledgeable Person

Athletic Trainers must be very knowledgeable in many different subjects. They have five major concerns: prevention of athletic injuries; recognition; evaluation; and immediate care of injuries; rehabilitation and reconditioning; health care administration; and professional development and responsibility (Athletic Trainers). They must take responsibility for their own learning. Athletic trainers have to be knowledgeable of any injury that could occur to an athlete. They must also teach athletes techniques that can prevent or lessen the severity of a possible injury. They counsel athletes about how to avoid and recognize common injuries, while also teaching the proper use of equipment. Athletic trainers have to know all the protective equipment that the athletes will use. Equipment must provide maximum protection, be durable, fit well, and not be a hazard to other players. Athletic trainers must be knowledgeable about the playing fields so there is no hidden risk to the players. They must also know how to use different devises, or machines that decrease the time of injury. These devises include: whirlpool bathes, ultrasound machines, and other machines that stimulate the muscles electronically (Certified). Athletic trainers need to know the anatomy of the human body. Such as the different bones, muscles, and ligaments. They must treat injuries fast to lessen the severity. In order to do this, they must be knowledgeable of any injury that could occur. Athletic trainers must know routines and corrective exercises to strengthen muscles. They must also be knowledgeable of special diets, in order to recommend them to athletes to build health and reduce weight. Overall, athletic trainers must be knowledgeable in many different aspects as well as learn to put their knowledge to work.

Critical Thinker

“Critical thinking is used in athletic training everyday” (McGovern). Athletic trainers have to evaluate every situation immediately. Right when an injury occurs to an athlete, trainers must be critically thinking what has happened to their bodies and how to make it better as soon as possible (Athletic