What is athletic training?
Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as an allied health care profession.
Who are athletic trainers?
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. The athletic training academic curriculum and clinical training follows a medical model. Currently athletic trainers must go through an accredited athletic training undergraduate program to be eligible to sit for the National Athletic Trainer's Association exam. However, between the years 2018-2022 accredited programs will be transitioning from bachelor's level programs to entry level masters programs.
Where do athletic trainers work?
- Public and private secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional and Olympic sports
- Youth leagues, municipal and independently owned youth sports facilities
- Physician practice, similar to nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists and other professional clinical personnel
- Rural and urban hospitals, hospital emergency rooms, urgent and ambulatory care centers
- Clinics with specialties in sports medicine, cardiac rehab, medical fitness, wellness and physical therapy
- Occupational health departments in commercial settings, which include manufacturing, distribution and offices to assist with ergonomics
- Police and fire departments and academies, municipal departments, branches of the military
- Performing arts including professional and collegiate level dance and music
Want to gain some first-hand athletic training experience?
The first step in becoming an athletic trainer is to gain some initial experience in an athletic training setting. Please contact Pat Walsh, ATC, pwalsh@csusb.edu, at the CSUSB sports medicine department (http://csusbathletics.com) to get more information about becoming a student athletic training volunteer.
