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What does an Athletic Trainer do?

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Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

An Athletic Trainer is a healthcare professional who works with athletes to prevent, diagnose and treat injuries. They may also work with coaches to help plan training programs and prevent injuries.

Athletic Trainer job duties include:

  • Providing first aid and emergency care
  • Assessing injuries and providing rehabilitation
  • Creating treatment plans
  • Developing injury prevention programs
  • Counseling athletes on nutrition, hydration, and other health-related topics
  • Keeping detailed records of athlete’s injuries, treatments, and progress
  • Communicating with athletes’ parents or guardians about injuries and treatment plans
  • Attending sporting events to provide on-site care
  • Supervising assistants and interns

Athletic Trainer Job Requirements

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who work with athletes to prevent, diagnose and treat injuries. Most athletic trainers have a bachelor's degree in athletic training, and many also have a master's degree. Athletic trainers must be certified by the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC). To become certified, athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited athletic training program and pass a comprehensive exam. In most states, athletic trainers must also be licensed by the state in which they practice.

Athletic Trainer Skills

  • First Aid
  • CPR
  • AED
  • First Responder
  • Emergency Medical Technician
  • Paramedic
  • Athletic Trainer
  • Physical Therapist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Doctor
  • Nurse

Related: Top Athletic Trainer Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become an Athletic Trainer

An athletic trainer is a healthcare professional who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries and illnesses that occur to athletes and other physically active individuals. Athletic trainers work with all types of athletes, from professional to youth level. To become an athletic trainer, one must complete a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from an accredited institution.

There are several steps that must be completed in order to become an athletic trainer. The first step is to complete a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from an accredited institution. Once the degree is obtained, the individual must then pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam. After passing the BOC exam, the individual will then need to obtain a state license in order to practice.

The job outlook for athletic trainers is very good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of athletic trainers will grow 21 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for athletic trainers will continue to increase as people become more aware of the importance of exercise and fitness, and as the number of people participating in sports and other physical activities increases.

Related: Athletic Trainer Resume Example

Related: Athletic Trainer Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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