Athletic trainers are medical professionals who specialize in preventing and addressing injuries suffered by physically active people. Injuries are an unfortunate, but inevitable, part of sports and life, and depending on the venue where an injury occurs, an athletic trainer might be the first medical professional on scene who can help.
Athletic trainers can fill an important role in schools, gyms and clinics. They often serve the role of doctor, consultant and advisor, helping to build strength and improve the lives of those individuals who are physically afflicted or limited.
Typical Work Responsibilities
An athletic trainer is responsible for preventing, diagnosing, treating and rehabilitating injuries that impede people from being active. A certified trainer typically serves under the direction of a licensed physician, where they are be responsible for preparing athletes, evaluating injuries, developing conditioning programs and implementing treatment programs.
Hours may be irregular, and the types of patients and injuries can vary, but the mission is the same – to ensure each individual is receiving the care they need to get healthy or remain healthy.
Work Environment
Environments may also vary for athletic trainers. Depending on the day, or the event, or the job description, a trainer might be outside for extended periods of time. Other positions might call for a trainer to work indoors in a gym or an office. It’s an ideal position for those who enjoy being on their feet, communicating with people and experiencing something different every day. Every patient has unique needs and expectations, so one interaction is never the same as another.
Travel is sometimes necessary, especially when working with sports teams, and hours can be inconsistent and unpredictable. Some trainers are required to put in as many as 14 hours per day during different points of the year, all the while operating in high-pressure situations.
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Skills and Qualities
The best trainers are sympathetic to their patients. Everyone is different, and each individual requires a unique and customized approach to healing and wellness. Because treatments can differ from patient to patient, athletic trainers are expected to have extensive knowledge about their field of medicine. More so, they need to be great communicators who can speak directly to a patient to uncover their strengths, limitations, goals, constraints and medical needs.
Education and Training Requirements
Most athletic trainers require a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine, or a similar field, to act as a foundation for their understanding of biomechanics, anatomy, biology, nutrition and more. Many trainers opt to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in an effort to secure a position at a college or as part of a professional sports team. More than two-thirds of all certified athletic trainers have at least a master’s degree.
Beyond the degrees, most states require trainers to enroll in a program at an accredited university and pass a test to achieve licensure from the Board of Certification. Once certified, trainers must keep their license current by meeting ongoing continuing education requirements.
Salary and Job Outlook
Through 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 21% increase in job openings for athletic trainers. This stems directly from the country’s efforts to practice preventative medicine in an attempt to reduce healthcare costs around the nation.
The annual income for athletic trainers can depend on the place of employment, the education of the trainer and the years of experience, but the median yearly earnings were measured at $43,370 in 2014. The top earners brought in at least $67,070.
Injury can occur anywhere, at any level of sports or activity. In those situations, athletic trainers can be the difference between short-term and long-term rehabilitation. Schools and businesses all over the country are looking for individuals to fill this role – those who enjoy working with a multitude of people, practicing various types of preventative measures and treatments and who are driven to rehabilitate individuals in need.
