Athletic training can be the perfect career for those who love sports and want a secure, rewarding career in the health care field.
Athletic training has an excellent employment outlook and can be a good career choice if you’re interested in the human body and movement science and want to work in the sports medicine field almost exclusively with athletes.
Athletic trainers treat athlete injuries “on field”, post-game and during rehabilitation. They also instruct athletes on the correct form/technique in using training and sports equipment and apply support to affected joints via tape and bandages to safely enable injured athletes to be more mobile. These injury treatment specialists typically work with athletes in high schools, universities and colleges, professional sports teams/clubs and sports medicine centers.
The average salary for Athletic Trainers is approximately $40,000 according to Salary.com. Employment for this sports medicine profession is predicted to increase by 30 percent over the next decade compared to all other professions.
Career Definition: Athletic Training
Athletic training involves assessing, treating and educating athletes to aid in recovery from acute and chronic sports-related injuries, as well as minimize future occurrences of injury, and emphasize the usage of proper form and movement during sports-related actions.
3 Requirements For Becoming an Athletic Trainer
The following sections go over the requirements needed to become an Athletic Trainer.
1. Education
A Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from an accredited 4-year university or college is needed to become an athletic trainer. Currently, there are over 350 accredited athletic training degree programs in the United States. These programs, like most health care programs consist of didactic and clinical education where students are taught both in-class and “in the field”. Coursework includes many biological, health and movement science related subjects, including anatomy & physiology, exercise physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics and injury prevention/treatment.
The National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) states that nearly 70% of all athletic trainers have either a master’s or PhD degree. These sports healthcare professionals may be required to have master’s degree or higher to become qualified for certain job roles, particularly ones at academic institutions, and to improve their prospects of career advancement. Due to the fact that a number of jobs in high schools require educating alongside athletic trainer obligations, a teaching certificate or license might be needed.
There are a variety approaches for athletic trainers to progress or segue into associated job roles. Assistant athletic trainers have the potential to eventually become head athletic trainers and, ultimately, athletic directors. These sports medicine specialists may also join a medical group practice, such as a private sports medicine center and take on an administrative or management role. A number of athletic trainers go into sales and marketing careers, employing their knowledge to sell athletic or medical equipment.
2. Professional Credentials
Almost every state requires its athletic trainers to be certified. The Board of Certification (BOC) provides the athletic training certification exam that the majority of states utilize for licensure. Athletic trainers must earn a degree from a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited school prior to taking the BOC exam to become a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).
In academic environments, athletic trainers may assume some teaching obligations and may require a teaching certificate or license.
3. Personality Traits & Skills
Sociable
Clear, concise communication
Relaxing tone of voice
Empathy for injured athletes
Think quickly and take action “on the fly”
Strength, dexterity and speed of fingers and wrists
