ABOUT ATHLETIC TRAINERS
Athletic trainers are health care professionals who provide our community a safer approach to work, life, and sport.
WHAT DO ATHLETIC TRAINERS DO?
Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers work under the direction of a physician as prescribed by state licensure statutes.
ATHLETIC TRAINERS ARE TRAINED IN
- Prevention, evaluation and rehabilitation of orthopedic injuries such as sprains and tears
- CPR and AED use
- Manual therapy
- Recognition and treatment of concussion
- Recognition of cardiac arrest
- Heat stroke
- Cervical spine injury
ATHLETIC TRAINERS WORK IN
- Educational institutions (middle schools, high schools, colleges/universities)
- Professional and amateur sports organizations
- Hospitals and clinics
- Corporate workplaces
- The military
- Police and fire departments
- Performing arts
WHAT EDUCATION DO ATHLETIC TRAINERS RECEIVE?
Athletic training follows a medical-based education model. All athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited baccalaureate program. More than 70 PERCENT of ATs have a master’s degree or higher.
Athletic training students are educated to provide comprehensive patient care in five domains of clinical practice. They are trained in prevention, clinical diagnosis, emergency care, and rehabilitation. They are also fully trained to provide organization and professional health and well-being.
Be part of the change
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
Learn more about how you can become an athletic trainer advocate.
Athletic trainers are licensed by the Board of Certification (BOC) or otherwise regulated in 49 STATES and the District of Columbia, but not yet California. ATs work under the direction of physicians, as prescribed by state licensure statutes.
Athletic trainers are encouraged to keep abreast of emerging trends in sports, the workplace, and injury prevention. All ATs are well-versed in documenting, reporting, and analyzing individual injury trends found in the athletic or corporate setting.