Education & Human Services

What is athletic training?

The Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) works with physicians and other medical personnel, employers, patients, parents, guardians, and athletic personnel in the development and coordination of efficient and responsive health care delivery systems. Athletic trainers are integral members of the health care team in secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional sports programs, sports medicine clinics, corporate /industrial, and other health care settings.

The athletic trainer’s professional preparation is based on the development of specified educational competencies and clinical proficiencies. Through a combination of formal classroom and clinical instruction and clinical experience, the athletic trainer is prepared to provide health care within each of the following content areas:

• Risk management and injury prevention
• Pathology of injuries and illnesses
• Orthopedic clinical examination and diagnosis
• Acute care of injury and illness
• Pharmacology
• Therapeutic modalities
• Conditioning and rehabilitative exercise
• Medical conditions and disabilities
• Nutritional aspects of injury and illness
• Psychosocial intervention and referral
• Health care administration
• Professional development and responsibility

Common Athletic Training Employment Settings

• High School Athletics
• College and Universities Athletics
• Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics
• Professional Sports Teams
• Industrial/Corporate Locations

Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)

CAATE accreditation is required for all programs wishing to prepare students to be eligible for the Board of Certification (BOC) Certification Exam.

On July 24, 2006 the Athletic Training Program received full accreditation.

For more Athletic Training career information please view the follow websites.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Athletic Trainer
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos294.htm

National Athletic Trainers’ Association
www.nata.org