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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