Certified Athletic Trainer

Certified Athletic Trainer

Alt Names:  ATC (Certified AT), Athletic Trainer, AT, Athletic Trainer Licensed, ATL

Career Description

Athletic Trainers are certified professionals who collaborate with Doctors and Physicians to aid patients (ranging from young children, to soldiers, and professional athletes) with the recuperation of their sports related injuries.

Job Responsibilities

  • Report to clinic coordinator

  • Educate patients about preventatives related to sports injuries

  • Monitor and record patients’ health record as well as activities in facility

  • Assist patient to appropriate room (x-ray room, waiting area, exam room, etc)

  • Stocking clinical room

  • Assist patients with rehabilitation program

  • Check patient chart prior to their appointment

  • Responsible for wound care and wound dressing of patient

  • Fitting and educating patient on new using braces and crutches

Education & Training

  • Min. of Bachelor’s degree (Bachelor’s degrees are also accepted) from accredited Athletic Training Program

  • Some experience is preferred though not required

Important Courses & Info:

  • Some professional course titles that fall under ATCs’ are: physical education, Kinesiology, athletic training, exercise physiology, allied health

License and/or Certification

  • All states require certifications

  • Licenses vary by state (some facilities may still hire person in the process of obtaining license so long as potential employee has obtained certificate)

  • Accredited programs take place in both classroom and real world (for clinical training) settings

  • Must graduate from CAATE-accredited program before taking BOC exam for certification

Salary

$41,600 per year [Source: BLS.Gov ; 2010 data]

Valuable Skills & Qualities

This occupation is good for people who are:

  • Helpful

  • Flexible

  • Empathetic

  • Patient

  • Communicator

Work Environment/Setting

Educational settings (colleges, secondary schools, etc), physicians’ offices, military, professional sports teams, performing arts settings

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