HEALTH OCCUPATION OF THE MONTH
Athletic Trainer
by Tiffany Cole
November 06, 2007
Job description
Athletic trainers specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. Athletic trainers are one of the first persons on the scene when an injury occurs; therefore, they have to be able to recognize, evaluate, and assess injuries and provide immediate care when needed. They are also heavily involved in the rehabilitation and reconditioning of injuries. Trainers prevent injuries by advising on the proper use of equipment and applying protective or injury preventing devices, such as tape, bandages, and braces. The prevention part of their job often includes them, educating people on how to avoid putting themselves at risk for injury. Trainers work under supervision of a licensed physician, and in cooperation with other health care providers. How much supervision varies with the setting, the amount of times meeting with a physician also varies with the job it ranges from everyday to once or twice a month.
Working conditions
The job requires interaction with others. The interaction includes: consulting with physicians, frequent contact with athletes, to discuss and administer treatments, rehab programs, and injury prevention. Most trainers work indoors, those who work out doors especially those in a sports related setting need to meet many requirements. Standing for long periods of time, working with medical equipment, the ability to walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, or crawl. They also have to be willing to travel. In a sports setting, schedules are longer and tend to vary from week to week, sometime even day to day. This type of therapist must be present at team practices and games, often these are at night, schedules can also change on short notice so they have to be flexible. Trainers in this setting normally have to work 6 or 7 days a week. In NCAA division 1 colleges and universities, trainers usually work with one team, usually 40 to 50 hours a week. Trainers with professional sport team’s work during training camps, practices, completions, they may be required to work up to 12 hours a day. There is some stress involved the pressure to win is the biggest, also there is the clients health and career to be concerned about. Athletic trainers that are not in a sports setting have an established schedule with nights and weekends off, this varies with employers. The usual is about 40 to 50 hours a week; this is usually in hospitals and clinics.
Training/ qualifications/ Advancements
A bachelor’s degree is required in most jobs. Formal education includes many science and health-related courses such as human anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and biomechanics. A bachelor’s degree with a major in athletic training from an accredited program is part of the requirement for becoming certified by the board of certification. To keep the certification, credential holders must continue taking medical-related courses and adhere to standards of practice. In 43 states with athletic trainer licensure of registration or both in 2004, BOC certification was required. According to the National Athletic Trainers Association, 70% of athletic trainers have a masters or doctoral degree. All athletic trainers deal directly with the patient they need good social and communication skills. They need to be able to manage difficult and stressful situation and stay calm.
Employment
Trainers are found in every part of the country. Most athletic trainer jobs are related to sports and the athletes in those sports though some are in non sports settings. About one third of trainers work in hospitals, another third are were found in public and private educational services, primarily in colleges, universities, and high schools, about 20% work in fitness and recreational sports centers.
Earnings
The salary of a trainer depends on experience and job responsibilities, and varies by job setting. Median annual earnings for a trainer is about $34,000, 50% earned between $27,000 and $42,000 the lowest 10% earned less than $21,000 while the top 10% earn $54,000 as of 2004.
