Athletic trainers help people in various types of employment treat and prevent future injuries. This can include professional athletes, high school athletes, or industrial workers. An athletic trainer’s job, which involves diagnosing, treating and rehabilitating muscle and bone injuries, should not be confused with a personal trainer or fitness trainer’s job, which is to assist people in becoming physically fit. Almost all of the states in the United States require athletic trainers to be licensed.Responsibilities
- Athletic trainers’ duties involve assisting people in preventing muscle and bone injuries as well as diagnosing, treating and rehabilitating existing injuries. They also are usually the first medical professionals to arrive at the scene of an injury during sporting events. Trainers prevent injuries by educating athletes on reducing their risk of injury, instructing them on the appropriate use of athletic equipment, teaching them balance and strength exercises, and applying protective bandages and braces as necessary. They also work with licensed physicians and other medical professionals to discuss injuries and treatment plans, and perform evaluations and treatments on patients. Athletic trainers must consult with physicians, sometimes as often as several times per week or each day.
Qualifications
- Nearly all athletic trainer positions require a bachelor’s degree, as well as licensure. Undergraduate programs usually include anatomy, physiology and nutrition courses, as well as experiences in clinical settings. Holding a master’s degree will make applicants more qualified for positions in colleges and universities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that 47 states required athletic trainers to be certified as of 2009. The Board of Certification Inc. provides certification to trainers holding a bachelor’s or master’s degree through examination and continuing education courses.
Salary
- The BLS reports that the average salary for athletic trainers as of May 2008 was $39,640 per year. The bottom 10 percent earned less than $23,450 per year while the top 10 percent earned more than $60,960 per year. Many positions are full-time and offer benefits, and some employers may pay for the continuing education courses required for certification, as well.
Work Environment
- An athletic trainer’s work environment depends on the specific position. Some may spend most of their day indoors; others who work mainly with sporting teams may spend most of their day outdoors. Trainers may have to spend long hours on their feet, and should be able to walk and run as well as kneel and stoop as necessary. They may also have to travel with sporting teams. Athletic trainer positions in hospitals and clinics usually have standard 40-hour workweeks with nights and weekends off, but those who work in sports settings may have more irregular schedules, working around teams’ practices, games and competitions, and they may work up to 60 or 70 hours per week.
Employment Outlook
- According to the BLS, employment opportunities for athletic trainers are expected to grow by approximately 37 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is must faster than the average growth for all occupations. Opportunities will be more plentiful in the health care industry and high schools, while those seeking positions working with college or professional sports teams will face higher competition.
Read more: Certified Athletic Trainer Job Description | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6704941_certified-athletic-trainer-job-description.html#ixzz1gk8G8pds
