How to Be Athletic Medical Staff Member - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 29, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Athletic medical staff members are essential for the success of any sports team. Their expertise ensures athletes are healthy and able to perform to their highest potential. The role of an athletic medical staff member involves providing medical care, monitoring health, assessing injuries, and providing rehabilitation.

Proper medical care can prevent injuries, improve performance, and help athletes recover quicker from any injuries they do experience. This can have a direct effect on the success of a team, as it keeps the athletes in top condition. In addition, athletic medical staff members also provide advice on nutrition, hydration, training techniques, and overall health and wellness.

With their knowledge and expertise, they help athletes to maintain their peak physical condition and keep them safe while playing their sport.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a college degree in sports medicine or a related field such as exercise science, physical therapy, or kinesiology.
Complete an internship or apprenticeship with an athletic trainer or sports medicine professional.
Obtain a certification from a recognized organization, such as the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) or the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
Look for job openings with athletic teams or organizations and apply for positions.
Meet all requirements for state licensure, if applicable.
Work with athletes to provide medical care and injury prevention services.
Develop and update plans for treatment, rehabilitation, and nutrition for athletes.
Monitor athletes' progress and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
Stay current with medical advancements in sports medicine and injury prevention.

Physical fitness plays a major role in medical staff members ability to perform their job. An athletic medical staff member must have a high level of physical fitness in order to effectively perform their duties. This includes having the ability to lift, carry, and move patients, as well as the strength and endurance to perform other physical activities.

Having a high level of physical fitness also helps medical staff members maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid injuries. To ensure that medical staff members are capable and athletic, they should focus on proper nutrition and regular exercise. Eating nutritious meals, maintaining a healthy weight, and regularly engaging in physical activity can help medical staff members stay fit and healthy while also increasing their physical capabilities.

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Job Description

Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician
Physical Therapist
Athletic Trainer
Orthopedic Surgeon
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Nutritionist
Massage Therapist
Mental Health Professional
Chiropractor
Radiologist

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of sports medicine, injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Understanding of anatomy and physiology.
Ability to assess injuries and provide appropriate medical treatment.
Knowledge of sports nutrition and hydration.
Understanding of laws and regulations related to athletic medical staff members.
Ability to effectively communicate with athletes, coaches, and health care personnel.
Knowledge of drug testing protocols, procedures, and policies.
Ability to use medical diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative equipment.
Ability to identify abnormal medical conditions.
Ability to administer medical care in emergency situations.
Proficiency in record keeping and documentation of medical care provided.
Ability to develop and implement appropriate treatment plans for athletes.
Knowledge of safety protocols and procedures for sports activities.

Athletic medical staff members require a range of skills and knowledge to successfully carry out their duties. One of the most important skills they must possess is excellent communication. Communication is essential in order to effectively collaborate with coaches, athletes, parents and other healthcare professionals, in order to develop and implement a plan of care for each individual athlete.

Good communication also helps to ensure that proper safety protocols are followed and all athletes are treated fairly, without bias. athletic medical staff members must be knowledgeable in topics such as anatomy, physiology, sports nutrition, injury prevention and rehabilitation. They must also be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of injuries, illnesses, and potential mental health problems.

Lastly, they must have strong problem solving skills in order to be able to quickly diagnose and treat any issues that may arise. All of these skills and knowledge are essential for athletic medical staff members to effectively carry out their duties and ensure the safety of every athlete.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in athletic medicine?
What qualifications do you have as an athletic medical staff member?
What challenges have you faced in the past when dealing with athletes medical issues?
How do you stay current on the latest advances in sports medicine?
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision regarding athlete health and safety.
How would you handle a situation where an athlete refuses treatment?
What strategies do you use to effectively communicate with coaches, trainers, and athletes?
What steps do you take to ensure that all athletes receive the medical care they need?
How do you collaborate with other medical staff members to provide the best care for athletes?
What would you do if an athlete is not following doctors orders?

Common Tools in Industry

First Aid Kit. A collection of medical supplies used to provide initial treatment for minor injuries, such as cuts and bruises. (eg: bandaids, antiseptic wipes, gauze, etc. )
Athletic Tape. A type of adhesive tape used to support and protect joints and muscles during athletic activities. (eg: kinesiology tape, pre-wrap, etc. )
Hot/Cold Therapy Packs. Used to treat acute pain and inflammation. Cold packs reduce inflammation, while hot packs promote blood flow and reduce muscle tension. (eg: gel packs, reusable hot/cold packs, etc. )
Therapeutic Massage Tools. Used to apply pressure to certain areas of the body to help relieve pain and tension. (eg: foam rollers, massage balls, etc. )
Strengthening Exercises. Specific exercises used to target and strengthen certain muscles or areas of the body. (eg: resistance bands, weight machines, etc. )

Professional Organizations to Know

National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)
American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM)
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA)
International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS)
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (AOASM)
United States Olympic Committee (USOC)

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Common Important Terms

Athletic Trainer. A healthcare professional who specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries that occur during physical activity.
Physical Therapist. A healthcare professional who specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of movement dysfunction to reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore functional ability.
Orthopedic Surgeon. A healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Sports Medicine Physician. A healthcare professional who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries related to sports and exercise.
Nutritionist. A healthcare professional who specializes in the assessment and management of nutritional needs to promote health and wellness.
Strength and Conditioning Specialist. A healthcare professional who specializes in developing training programs to improve athletic performance.
Massage Therapist. A healthcare professional who specializes in the manipulation of soft tissues for therapeutic purposes.
Athletic Equipment Manager. A healthcare professional who is responsible for the storage, maintenance, and distribution of athletic equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is a typical Athletic Medical Staff Member?

A typical Athletic Medical Staff Member is a medical professional, such as a physician, physical therapist, or athletic trainer, who works in an athletic environment to provide medical care for athletes.

What responsibilities does an Athletic Medical Staff Member have?

An Athletic Medical Staff Member is responsible for providing medical care and advice to athletes, evaluating injuries, preventing injuries through proper health and safety protocols, and providing rehabilitation services for injured athletes.

What qualifications are necessary to become an Athletic Medical Staff Member?

To become an Athletic Medical Staff Member, one must have a degree in a medical field such as medicine or physical therapy, and must be certified by the appropriate licensing body. Additional qualifications may include experience in sports medicine or a related field.

What is the average salary of an Athletic Medical Staff Member?

The average salary of an Athletic Medical Staff Member varies greatly depending on the type of position, the experience level of the individual, and the location. According to Salary.com, the average yearly salary for an Athletic Medical Staff Member in the United States is approximately $60,000 per year.

What are the benefits of working as an Athletic Medical Staff Member?

Working as an Athletic Medical Staff Member can provide many benefits, such as job satisfaction from helping athletes stay healthy and perform at their best, the opportunity to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, and potential for career growth. Additionally, some employers may provide medical benefits, retirement plans, and other perks.

Web Resources

Athletic Training Faculty & Medical Training Staff www.su.edu
Athletic Medicine | Center for Health & Wellbeing at UVM | The ... www.uvm.edu
Staff | Iowa Sports Medicine - The University of Iowa sportsmedicine.athletics.uiowa.edu