Athletic trainer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An 'athletic trainer' is an allied health care provider capable of performing immediate and emergency injury management, injury assessment, and rehabilitation. Athletic trainers work closely with other members of the allied health team including physicians, physician's assistants, occupational therapist, physical therapists, and others.
Half of athletic trainers are employed in athletic settings including middle school, high school, college/university, professional, and recreational sports. However, with the emergence of the athletic trainer as a respected member of the allied health community, the other half work in clinical, industrial, and hospital settings as well.
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[edit] Scope of Practice
Although each state sets its own scope for practicing as an athletic trainer, standardized education ensures the athletic trainer has knowledge in several areas:
- Injury prevention and risk management through developing training and conditioning programs, ensuring a safe playing environment, selecting, fitting, and maintaining protective equipment, explaining the importance of nutrition and using medications appropriately.
- Recognition, evaluation, and assessment of injuries through conducting physical examinations, understanding the pathology of injury and illness, referring to medical care and support services. Immediate care of injury and illness.
- Treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning through design of rehabilitation programs, supervising rehabilitation programs, incorporating therapeutic modalities, and offering psychosocial intervention.
- Organization and administration through record keeping, ordering equipment and supplies, supervising personnel, and establishing policies for operation of an athletic training program. And finally professional development and responsibilities through acting as an educator and counselor.
[edit] History
Athletic trainers, as we know them today, came into existence in the late 19th century with the development and organization of interscholastic athletics. These individuals did not have any formal medical training and were available primarily for "rub-downs" and other home remedies.
Throughout the years the demand for athletic trainers has increased dramatically. In 1950, athletic trainers met in Kansas City, Missouri and officially formed an organization to establish professional standards called the National Athletic Trainer's Association (NATA). The NATA has grown to include over 30,000 members.
Perhaps the most significant impact on the profession of athletic training came in 1990 when the American Medical Association (AMA) decided to include athletic trainers as fellow allied health care professionals.
[edit] Education
The standards of athletic training education have changed much since AMA recognition in 1990. Currently the minimum qualifications for becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer (A.T.C.) are a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university and successful passing of a comprehensive examination. In order to maintain certification, an athletic trainer must accumulate 75 hours of continuing education every 3 years.
Nearly 70% of all NATA members also possess some form of post-Bachelor's education whether it be Master's, Doctorate, or additional in another allied health field.
Since January 1, 2004 it is required for all those taking the national certification examination to graduate from an accredited college/university with a specialized accredited program in Athletic Training Education. This change was required in order to ensure that basic minimum standards in the domains of athletic training were met before taking the exam.
Athletic training education programs, an academic major or the equivalent, are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and lead to a bachelor's or master's degree. Certification is granted by the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC).
Academic Programs
Foundational Courses: Human anatomy, Exercise physiology, Kinesiology/biomechanics, Nutrition, Statistics and research design, Strength training and reconditioning, Acute care of injury and illness.
Professional Courses: Risk management and injury/illness prevention, Pathology of injury/illness, Assessment of injury/illness, General medical conditions and disabilities, Therapeutic modalities, Therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation, Health care administration, Health care administration, Weight management and body composition, Psychosocial intervention and referral, Medical ethics and legal issues, Pharmacology, Professional development and responsibilities.
[edit] Salary
Salaries vary greatly depending on the setting in which the athletic trainer works. Athletic trainers working in schools, colleges or clinical settings may earn salaries ranging from $25,000 to $65,000 plus.
Athletic trainers working for professional teams may earn from $500,000 to $150,000. As in the amateur realms, actual salaries depend on the type of team, its prestige, and the responsibilities and experience of the athletic trainer.
