What is an Athletic Trainer?
Athletic Trainers (ATs) are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide patients with:
- preventative services
- emergency care
- clinical diagnosis
- therapeutic intervention
- rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.
What fields can Athletic Trainer's work in?
- Public and private secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional and Olympic sports
- Youth leagues, municipal and independently owned youth sports facilities
- Physician practice, similar to nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists and other professional clinical personnel
- Rural and urban hospitals, hospital emergency rooms, urgent and ambulatory care centers
- Clinics with specialties in sports medicine, cardiac rehab, medical fitness, wellness and physical therapy
- Occupational health departments in commercial settings, which include manufacturing, distribution and offices to assist with ergonomics
- Police and fire departments and academies, municipal departments, branches of the military
- Performing arts including professional and collegiate level dance and music
What are the requirements to become an AT?
- Graduate from a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited Master of Athletic Training Education Program (MAT).
- Pass a comprehensive test administered by the Board of Certification (BOC).
- Complete ongoing continuing education requirements in order to remain certified. Athletic trainers must also work in collaboration with a physician and within their state practice act.
CAATE website search for accredited Athletic Training Master Programs!
