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What is an Athletic Trainer

Certified Athletic Trainer: A healthcare professional who collaborates with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.

Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as a healthcare profession.

 

Athletic Trainers are educated and trained in five major practice domains

  • Prevention
  • Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis
  • Immediate and Emergency Care
  • Treatment and Rehabilitation
  • Organization and Professional Health and Well-Being
 

Professional Preparation

Students who wish to become a certified athletic trainer must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum. Programs accredidted by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) are currently available at the baccalaureate and graduate level. However, in May 2015, the AT Strategic Alliance announced plans to phase out baccalaureate degrees. A planned phase out date has yet to be announced.

The academic preparation to become a certified athletic trainer invovles rigorous classroom study and clinical education in a variety of practice settings such as high schools, colleges/universities, hospitals, emergency rooms, physician offices and healthcare clinics over the course of the degree program. Students enrolled in their final semester are eligible to apply for the BOC exam.

 

Job Settings

  • College and Universities
  • Professional Sports
  • Secondary and Intermediate Schools
  • Hospitals and Outpatient Clinics
  • Occupational Health
  • Military
  • Rodeo
  • Performing Arts
  • Public Safety

FACT SHEET ABOUT ATHLETIC TRAINERS

 

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