Careers in Athletic Training
Athletic trainers (ATs) are unique health care providers who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses that occur to athletes and the physically active. As part of a complete health care team, the athletic trainer works under the direction a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care professionals.
Alumni of OSU Athletic Training currently work in a number of practice settings across the country. New graduates have found job placements in high schools and secondary school systems, large and small colleges, sports medicine clinics and physician practices, professional sports (NFL), corporate/industrial settings.
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of athletic trainers is expected to grow 16% form 2019-2029, at a faster rate than the average for all occupations. As middle-age and aging populations remain physically active, the demand for athletic trainers is expected to increase.
Practice Settings
Athletic trainers can be found almost anywhere people are physically active. Whether it is on the playing field or in an industrial work setting, athletic trainers are in place to help active people prevent injuries and stay healthy. Here are some of the places you will find them:
- Secondary Schools
Public and private secondary schools offer abundant job opportunities for ATs. Parents and administrators are discovering the benefits an AT can offer in preventing and caring for injuries. Many ATs teach classes at the high school level.
- College and Universities
Athletic training jobs in colleges and universities generally fall into two categories: athletic department staff assignment and combination teacher/athletic trainer.
- Professional Sports
Although teams operate only a few months per year, ATs work year-round conditioning and rehabilitating athletes. Fewer jobs are available in this practice setting due to the limited number of teams.
- Sports Medicine Clinics
This growing setting provides ATs the opportunity to work with a number of different health care professionals and a diverse patient population. In addition to athletic injury rehabilitation, many clinics provide athletic training services for secondary schools via outreach programs.
- Military
The U.S. military is increasing its use of athletic trainers. ATs can be found as part of the health care team for active-duty injured service people, on- and off-base fitness and wellness centers, new-recruit readiness programs and pre-enlistment readiness programs, in addition to established military school sports teams.
- Industrial and Commercial
These settings use both outreach clinics and full-time AT employees to deliver services. Athletic trainers are a key component to the heath care team, and work with physicians and other allied health personnel. As well, ATs are first-responder medical personnel who are experts in injury assessment and treatment, particularly in the orthopaedic and musculoskeletal disciplines.
Education Requirements
Athletic trainers must have at a minimum a bachelor's degree, although beginning in 2022, all AT programs must be delivered at the graduate level culminating in a Master's degree in Athletic Training. Along with a strong didactic preparation, ATs also participate in extensive clinical affiliations with physicians’ offices, hospitals, rehabilitation clinics and athletic teams under appropriate supervision by a licensed physician.
Accredited graduate AT programs include formal instruction in a variety of areas, including: primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.
Certification
Athletic trainers have fulfilled the entry-level requirements for certification established by the Board of Certification (BOC). Students who successfully complete all program requirements are eligible to sit for the national certification examination through the Board of Certification. Candidates must pass the BOC examination, complete all BOC requirements for certification, and meet the requirements for individual states to practice athletic training.. The certification examination consists of:
- A computer delivered exam that includes:
- Multiple choice questions
- Text-based simulation designed to approximate real-life decision making
- Hot spot
- Animated simulation designed to approximate real-life decision making
In addition to the exam, ATs must maintain continuing education, and meet individual state regulatory or licensure requirements in most states. To determine if these added requirements apply, ATs must check their state practice act.
National Athletic Trainers' Association
The National Athletic Trainers' Association, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, was founded in 1950. Today, the NATA membership spans the globe and includes over 40,000 members.
The mission of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) is to enhance the quality of health care for athletes and those engaged in physical activity and to advance the profession of athletic training through education and research in prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation of injuries.