How to Be Athletic Trainer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jul 25, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Athletic trainers are essential members of any sports team, providing medical care and injury prevention services to athletes. Their presence helps ensure that athletes remain healthy and can continue to perform at their highest level. Athletic trainers work to prevent injuries by educating athletes on proper techniques and form, as well as providing protective equipment.

When an injury does occur, they are there to assess the injury, provide immediate care, and refer the athlete to a physician if necessary. Their expertise in sports injuries, rehabilitation techniques, nutrition, and exercise physiology helps them develop tailored programs to help athletes return to their sport safely and efficiently. As a result, athletes are able to stay in the game with fewer long-term injuries and complications.

Steps How to Become

Start by becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC). To become a Certified Athletic Trainer, you must complete an accredited Athletic Training program, which usually takes four years to complete.
Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. The BOC exam is a comprehensive exam that tests your knowledge and skills in athletic training.
Obtain state licensure. Contact your states licensing board to determine what their specific requirements are for obtaining a license.
Gain experience. Most employers prefer candidates with at least 1-2 years of experience in Athletic Training. You can gain experience through internships, volunteer opportunities, or paid positions.
Obtain additional certifications. Many employers require Athletic Trainers to obtain additional certifications such as CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications.
Stay up-to-date with continuing education requirements. Athletic Trainers must stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques in the field to remain certified and licensed. Continuing education credits must be obtained every two years in order to maintain certification and licensure.

Many athletes have found that having an athletic trainer has resulted in increased reliability and efficiency. An athletic trainer provides expertise in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and physical conditioning, which can help athletes stay in good physical condition and avoid injuries. They also provide advice on proper warm-up and cool-down exercises, which can help athletes prepare for practice and competition and recover afterward.

Athletic trainers also have access to the latest medical information, which can help them provide the best care for their athletes. In addition, athletic trainers are trained to recognize the signs of injury or illness, which enables them to provide early treatment. This early treatment can help athletes get back to their sport more quickly and safely.

having an athletic trainer on staff helps athletes stay healthy and perform at their highest potential.

You may want to check Athletic Communications Director, Athletic Director, and Athletic Operations Manager for alternative.

Job Description

Design and implement injury prevention and rehabilitation programs for athletes.
Monitor athletes health, injury status and exercise routines.
Educate athletes on proper nutrition, muscle strengthening, stretching and conditioning techniques.
Evaluate injuries, administer treatment and provide rehabilitation services.
Maintain accurate medical records and document outcomes of treatments.
Educate coaches, parents and athletes about injury prevention and safety.
Collaborate with physicians regarding treatment plans and progress.
Develop and implement emergency action plans for sporting events.
Monitor equipment and advise on proper use and maintenance.
Participate in continuing education courses to stay current with best practices.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and kinesiology
Knowledge of injury prevention, evaluation and management
Knowledge of therapeutic modalities and rehabilitation techniques
Ability to recognize, evaluate and respond to emergency situations
Ability to communicate effectively with athletes, coaches, parents, physicians and other healthcare professionals
Ability to maintain professional standards of practice
Ability to assess and evaluate patient progress
Ability to develop and implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs
Ability to provide education on injury prevention
Ability to diagnose and treat acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries

Being an athletic trainer requires a wide range of skills and abilities in order to help athletes achieve their goals while reducing the risk of injury and illness. The most important skill an athletic trainer must possess is the ability to assess, diagnose, and treat injuries. This involves being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of injury, selecting the right types of treatment and rehabilitation needed, and providing the appropriate advice and support to athletes as they heal.

athletic trainers must possess strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with athletes, coaches, and other medical professionals. Furthermore, a strong understanding of anatomy is essential for any athletic trainer to accurately diagnose and treat an injury. Lastly, having a thorough knowledge of risk management strategies is also key for any athletic trainer to ensure they are helping athletes stay safe while they pursue their sport.

Athletic Scout, Athletic Facilities Manager, and Athletic Coach are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working as an Athletic Trainer?
Describe a successful outcome you have achieved working with an athlete.
How do you ensure that athletes are following safety protocols?
What makes you the best candidate for this Athletic Trainer position?
How do you build relationships with athletes to ensure they trust you?
What strategies do you use to motivate athletes to reach their goals?
How do you stay current on the latest treatments and protocols for athletic injuries?
How would you handle an athlete who is resistant to treatment?
What techniques do you implement to reduce the risk of injury?
How do you handle the stress of working with a team of athletes?

Common Tools in Industry

Tape. To provide support and compression to an injured area (eg: KT tape).
Heat/Ice Packs. To provide localized relief from injuries or pain (eg: hot/cold therapy wraps).
Exercise Bands. To provide resistance for strengthening exercises (eg: Thera-Band).
Foam Rollers. To help release tight muscles and improve overall flexibility (eg: Trigger Point foam roller).
Splints. To protect an injured area from further harm and promote healing (eg: CAM walker).
Kinesiology Tape. To provide support and pain relief to injured areas (eg: RockTape).
Massage Balls. To help break up scar tissue, release tension, and improve muscle mobility (eg: Lacrosse ball).
Exercise Balls. To improve balance, coordination, and overall fitness (eg: stability ball).
Reusable Cold/Heat Packs. To provide relief to injured areas (eg: Hot/Cold Reusable packs).
Compression Wraps. To reduce swelling and provide support to injured areas (eg: Hinged knee brace).

Professional Organizations to Know

National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (AOASM)
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
National Athletic Trainers' Association Education Council (NATAEC)
National Athletic Trainers' Association Foundation (NATAF)
International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy (IFSPT)
International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE)
American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM)

We also have Athletic Performance Analyst, Athletic Medical Staff Member, and Athletic Event Manager jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Injury Prevention. The practice of taking steps to reduce the risk of getting injured while participating in physical activities.
Rehabilitation. The process of restoring an injured or weakened part of the body to a healthy and functional state.
Conditioning. The practice of exercising to improve strength, agility, speed, and endurance.
Exercise Physiology. The study of how the body responds to physical activity and exercise.
Sports Nutrition. The practice of consuming the right types and amounts of food to maximize performance in physical activities.
Biomechanics. The study of how the body moves and how forces act on it while in motion.
Strength Training. The practice of using resistance to build muscle mass, improve muscular strength, and increase muscular endurance.
Flexibility Training. The practice of stretching to improve range of motion and reduce the risk of injury.
Injury Assessment. The process of evaluating an injury to determine its severity and create a plan for treatment and recovery.
Kinesiology. The study of human movement and how it is affected by external factors like gravity, force, and momentum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Athletic Trainer?

Athletic Trainers are healthcare professionals who specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries and medical conditions related to physical activity.

What qualifications do Athletic Trainers have?

To become an Athletic Trainer, individuals must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited program in Athletic Training and be certified by the Board of Certification (BOC).

What type of work does an Athletic Trainer do?

Athletic Trainers provide medical services to athletes, including injury prevention, evaluation and diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, and rehabilitation. They also provide medical coverage for athletic events and educational services to athletes, coaches, and other healthcare providers.

How many states require licensure for Athletic Trainers?

As of 2021, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands require licensure for Athletic Trainers.

What organizations recognize Athletic Trainers?

Athletic Trainers are recognized by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), American Medical Association (AMA), and other medical organizations.