Health Careers Spotlight:
Athletic Trainer

 

Certified Athletic Trainers are highly qualified health professionals who are trained in preventing, recognizing, managing, and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. As part of a complete health care team, the certified athletic trainer works under the direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care professionals, athletic administrators, coaches and parents.

Athletic trainers use their knowledge of nutrition, physiology, psychology, biomechanics, anatomy, conditioning, and protective equipment to help athletes do their best while minimizing the risk of injury.

Where you might work: Athletic trainers work for middle schools or high schools, colleges, universities, professional athletic organizations, the military, or sports medicine clinics in hospitals, health clubs, or corporate health programs. Athletic training is growing in some areas you might not initially think about as well, such as working for professional dance companies, NASCAR, and with professional performers/entertainers.

Job Outlook: The American Medical Association (AMA) has recognized athletic training as an allied health care profession since 1990. If you become an athletic trainer, your job prospects are good. Employment of athletic trainers is expected to grow 24% from 2006 to 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations. Job prospects should be good in the health care industry, but competition is expected for positions with sports teams.

Salary Notes: Typically athletic trainers earn a salary of $35,000 to $75,000 per year.

Education, Licensing & Certification: For those interested in a career as an athletic trainer, high school course work should include an emphasis on math and science. Certified athletic trainers have, at minimum, a bachelor's degree through an accredited training programs or meet other requirements set by the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer. In addition to academic studies, students receive clinical training in a variety of practice settings. Many athletic trainers hold a master's or doctoral degree. In 2006, 46 states required athletic trainers to be licensed or hold some form of registration. According to the National Athletic Trainers Association, 68% of athletic trainers have a master's or doctoral degree. Athletic trainers may need a master's or higher degree to be eligible for some positions, especially those in colleges and universities, and to increase their advancement opportunities. Because some positions in high schools involve teaching along with athletic trainer responsibilities, a teaching certificate or license could be required.

For more information on a career as an athletic trainer, please visit the National Athletic Trainers' Association website at http://www.nata.org/.

(updated 1/14/09)

 

Alan Maynard, MEd, ATC, is the Director of Athletic Training Education at the University of Vermont. Alan received his Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine and Physical Education from Canisius College, his Master of Education in Athletic Training at the University of Virginia, and is currently working on his Doctor of Education at the University of Vermont.

We interviewed Alan for the Spring 2008 version of The Convener to discuss his experiences working in the field of Athletic Training.

Q How did you become interested in becoming an Athletic Trainer?
A I became interested in Athletic Training after suffering an injury as a collegiate baseball player. Having certified athletic trainers near me at that time was tremendously important for me both physically and mentally. It was then that I learned the interesting mix of prevention, recognition, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries that Certified Athletic Trainers are so well versed in.

Q How long have you been working in the Athletic Training field?
A For twelve years. One year as a graduate assistant at the University of Virginia, five years as a Head Athletic Trainer and Clinical Instructor at the University of Tampa, and six years as the Director of Athletic Training Education at the University of Vermont.

Q What other alternatives did you consider?
A I really enjoyed coaching but did not see that as a career path.

Q Did any person influence your decision to become an Athletic Trainer?
A Pete Koehneke was my mentor at Canisius College. He was the Head Athletic Trainer and the academic director for the athletic training program. After that, Dave Perrin at the University of Virginia encouraged me to teach as well as work clinically.

Q What personal needs are satisfied by your occupation?
A I feel as though helping people is a big part of my rationale for going into Athletic Training but that does not make it all that unique. The other part that really makes it the right choice for me is working directly with athletic teams and being a part of their success.

Q In what ways has being an Athletic Trainer changed you as a person?
A I would say that Athletic Training has allowed me to change. The different settings in which Certified Athletic Trainers work allows for movement within the profession. I have been an assistant athletic trainer, a head athletic trainer, and an athletic training educator. This transition from clinical to educational has allowed me to give more time to my family.

Q If you could have chosen any occupation (no limits) what would it be?
A Racecar driver and rock and roll star. Since I have summers off, it gives me time to race at Thunder Road in Barre as well as hone my skills on Rock Band for the PS3. I guess I'm getting the best of all worlds.

Q If you didn't have to work, would you anyway? If not, what would you do?
A I don't think so. I'd spend time with family and friends.

Q Describe the demands of your job...
A As a clinical athletic trainer working in the NCAA D1 setting, I worked about 50-60 hours per week while in season with Men's Basketball at UVM and 20-30 while out of season. I also had summers off. Now as a professor, the hours are much more flexible but I wouldn't say they are any less. I am able to work from home at times, which is nice. As with any job, there are pressures but time management and enjoying what you do allow for the pressure to be manageable. I truly enjoy working with people and leading groups so people problems are just people solutions waiting for the right approach. I enjoy working with people to fix problems and I am able to do that as part of being a college administrator.

Q What is a typical day for you?
A As a clinical athletic trainer, my days revolved around when the team was practicing, competing, or traveling. I had to be very flexible in this situation and be ready for last minute changes. That was exciting for the first part of my career. In my current position, on teaching days, I am in by 7:30 a.m. and typically leave around 5:00 p.m. On non-teaching days, I tend to stay at home and have breakfast with my daughter, check email and do some grading. I'll get in to the office around 10:00 a.m. and leave around 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. Oftentimes, I can leave early and work from home, which is really nice.

Q Do you supervise the work of others?
A As the Director of Athletic Training Education, I ensure all the courses contain the competencies and clinical proficiencies set forth by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA). It is important to oversee the curriculum and the instructors that teach our students. Athletic Training students also get over 800 hours of clinical experiences and those experiences need guidance. I do some of that but I have a Clinical Coordinator who takes the lead on ensuring our students' clinical education experiences are quality ones.

Q What personal characteristics are desirable to be a good Athletic Trainer?
A To be a successful Certified Athletic Trainer in any of the settings we work in, one needs to be competent, confident, and caring. I believe this is true for all health care professions. In addition, Certified Athletic Trainers need to be flexible, think critically, and be ready for just about anything.

Q What special knowledge or skill does a person need be an Athletic Trainer?
A To sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam, all students must graduate from a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredited program. These are typically four-year degree programs but there are more and more entry-level master's degree programs every year.

Q What kinds of people do you work with? Coworkers, clients...?
A Certified Athletic Trainers are rather unique in that they work with a vast team of professionals. In a traditional sports setting like high school, college, or professional athletics, we work with a team physician, other athletic trainers, physician assistants, physical therapists, EMT's, nutritionists, and counselors. In addition to the medical team, we work with the athletes, coaches, administrators, and sometimes parents. It can be very challenging to coordinate all these moving pieces. As a professor, I work with Certified Athletic Trainers throughout the state, other faculty members throughout the university, and university administrators.

Q What do you like best about your job and what aspects cause you the most frustration?
A Athletic Training allowed me to practice a unique type of medicine and stay connected to athletics in a meaningful way. I love the heat of battle, the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat. I believe sport reflects life and that there are many life lessons to be found through competition. Being part of that is very special. Now as an educator, I feel like I can help direct students down a path that is right for them and seeing them graduate and enter the field of Athletic Training is extremely rewarding.

In terms of frustration, working with sports means working with coaches. I love working with coaches but they can be a bit unpredictable and excitable. When a coach is mad and changes practice to 6:00 a.m. to punish the team, they oftentimes forget they are also punishing their staff as well. All in all though, the highs are so high that the lows are not that hard to handle.

Q What high school classes should be taken to prepare for a career in Athletic Training?
A Chemistry and Biology for sure. Physics is also valuable. Some schools offer Anatomy and Physiology which is a great help as well.

Q What requirements exist, in addition to schooling - training, experience, certification, license to become an Athletic Trainer?
A After a student sits for and passes the BOC exam, they are nationally certified as an Athletic Trainer. Depending on what state they will practice in, there may or may not be a license they will need to apply for. In regular intervals, Certified Athletic Trainers must complete continuing education, not unlike medical doctors, physical therapists, etc. This is to ensure that Certified Athletic Trainers have the most up to date information and clinical skills.

Q What are the career ladder possibilities in this field?
A Since there are so many settings we work in, the possibilities are endless. The greta thing is that for different points in your life, you may have different goals. Instead of changing careers, you could just move towards a different setting. That is what I did and am very happy with my decision.

Q Can a person specialize within this field? Into what areas?
A There are currently no specializations in Athletic Training. There has been movement toward creation of specializations though. My sense is that we currently work successfully in so many areas that specialization might not be necessary. Time will tell.

Q What changes are occurring in this field?
A There is tremendous growth in the area of Athletic Training. More and more high schools are employing Certified Athletic Trainers. The military is another area where there is a great deal of hiring going on. Ultimately, anywhere there is someone being physically active, a Certified Athletic Trainer can assist in preventing, treating, and rehabilitating injuries.

Q How does the economy impact Athletic Training?
A Since Certified Athletic Trainers tend to be in school settings, job security is quite high. For thos individuals who own their own clinics or work in a clinic that bills for services, there is potential for a down economy to negatively impact them. That said, regardless of the economy, people are going to get hurt and need athletic training services.

Q Can a person work flexible hours being an Athletic Trainer?
A Depending on the setting, hours can be very flexible. In a clinical setting, you might have regular hours and no weekends. In a school setting, you might have night and some weekends, but have summers off. While most jobs are full-time, there are possibilities of part-time or even shared positions  like teaching and care for a team of clinic and high school.

Q Do you encounter any problems combining your job with your family life?
A In the school and professional settings, it can be very tough. There is usally a lot of travel, nights, and weekends. Early in my career I really enjoyed that but later on when my wife and I started a family, the shift to educator allowed me to not have to sacrifice. I know many other Certified Athletic Trainers that are very successful at balancing work and family. It can absolutely be done if you set your priorities well.

Q What advice would you give someone who is planning to enter the Athletic Training field?
A Be sure to take the science courses necessary for admission to an Athletic Training Education Program. Do a job shadow with your high school athletic trainer of find one in an orthopedic rehabilitation clinic near you. Lastly, find out as much as you can about the different colleges and universities that have AT programs before you apply.