Athletic Trainer

An athletic trainer is a member of the health care division trained to perform immediate and emergency injury control, injury assessment and rehabilitation. Athletic trainers work with other members of the allied health group such as physicians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, etc. Some athletic trainers work in athletic positions in schools and colleges and others work in medical facilities such as clinics and hospitals. Due to the many new athletic training programs, they are now capable of much more than just coaching athletics. It is a requirement that they carry their own athletic training supplies such as anyone in the medical field.

At one time, an athletic trainer only had the simple tasks of giving rubdowns or home remedies like ice packs. The need for more qualified athletic trainers prompted a group of trainers to form the National Athletic Trainers Association. In 1990, the American Medical Association determined that athletic trainers should be considered part of their allied health care professionals due to the medical training the athletic trainings needed as part of their athletic trainer jobs in order to help injured athletes.

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There are now many career opportunities in athletic training throughout the United States in many schools or sporting facilities. The athletic trainer salary can range anywhere from $25,000 and up. If interested, you can search online for athletic trainer career information or locations of athletic training schools. You may also be able to find pictures of athletic trainers to give you a general idea of what they do.

The Journal of Athletic Training is a newsletter that keeps athletic trainers knowledgeable and up to date on any new studies or programs available as well as news regarding any type of personal athlete training. If you are looking for available positions or athletic training room floor plans (for building your own training room), there are people you can contact for this kind of information. The Florida Athletic Coaches Association has a homepage that is very informative as far as showing their clinic schedules and training programs.

For instructors and trainers that work on an independent basis, there is available professional liability insurance. An Athletic trainer is usually not covered on this same policy because they are covered through the school or group that they are affiliated with. Having some sort of personal liability insurance is necessary in this line of work due to the possibility of accidental injury and lawsuits.