Athletic Trainer

Other Titles

Assistant Athletic Trainer, Athletic Instructor, Athletic Trainer, Certified Athletic Trainer, Clinical Instructor, Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer, Head Athletic Trainer, Head Athletic Trainer/Strength Coach, Resident Athletic Trainer, Sports Medicine Coordinator

Athletic Trainers help professional athletes in maintaining optimal physical fitness and avoiding any physical injuries. In doing so, they work closely with the athletes and develop comprehensive fitness and training regimens for them. In this role, they also provide comprehensive care and support to the athletes during injuries. In the wake of such an injury, they evaluate the injury and determine the extent of damage. They then determine whether the athlete requires emergency support and whether or not he/she should be referred to a physician. A part of their job is to help an athlete recover by offering physical therapy and medication. They also devise elaborate injury prevention programs to try and avoid an injury in the first place.

Evaluate athletes' readiness to play and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted.

Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication.

Conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness to provide emergency or continued care and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment.

Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians.

Perform general administrative tasks, such as keeping records or writing reports.

Apply protective or injury preventive devices, such as tape, bandages, or braces, to body parts, such as ankles, fingers, or wrists.

Plan or implement comprehensive athletic injury or illness prevention programs.

Collaborate with physicians to develop and implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs for athletic injuries.

Advise athletes on the proper use of equipment.

Travel with athletic teams to be available at sporting events.

File athlete insurance claims and communicate with insurance providers.

Instruct coaches, athletes, parents, medical personnel, or community members in the care and prevention of athletic injuries.

Accompany injured athletes to hospitals.

Inspect playing fields to locate any items that could injure players.

Develop training programs or routines designed to improve athletic performance.

Recommend special diets to improve athletes' health, increase their stamina, or alter their weight.

Conduct research or provide instruction on subject matter related to athletic training or sports medicine.

Confer with coaches to select protective equipment.

Massage body parts to relieve soreness, strains, or bruises.

Lead stretching exercises for team members prior to games or practices.

Teach sports medicine courses to athletic training students.

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.

Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.

Evaluate patient functioning, capabilities, or health.

Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.

Treat patients using physical therapy techniques.

Evaluate patient outcomes to determine effectiveness of treatments.

Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.

Maintain medical facility records.

Perform clerical work in medical settings.

Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities.

Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.

Develop exercise or conditioning programs.

Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

Advise athletes, coaches, or trainers on exercise regimens, nutrition, or equipment use.

Process medical billing information.

Inspect work environments to ensure safety.

Train medical providers.

Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.

Consult with others regarding safe or healthy equipment or facilities.

Treat patients using alternative medical procedures.

Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.

Maintain medical equipment or instruments.

Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Originality — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.

Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Static Strength — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

Time Sharing — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).

Trunk Strength — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

Medicine and Dentistry — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Therapy and Counseling — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Biology — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Clerical — Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Personnel and Human Resources — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Calendar and scheduling software -- Scheduling software

Database user interface and query software -- e.g., Digital Coach AthleticTrainer; Injury tracking software; Keffer Development Services Athletic Trainer System ATS; Premier Software Simtrak Mobility etc

Electronic mail software -- Google Chrome; Microsoft Outlook

Internet browser software -- e.g., Google Chrome; Mozilla Firefox; Windows Explorer

Medical software

Office suite software -- e.g., Google Workspace; WordPerfect Office; Microsoft Office

Presentation software -- e.g., Google Slides; Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software -- e.g., Google Sheets; Microsoft Excel

Word processing software -- e.g., Microsoft Word

Arm orthopedic softgoods→ Upper extremity braces

Automated external defibrillators AED or hard paddles→ Automated external defibrillators AED

Canes or cane accessories→ Walking canes

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR protective shields or masks→ One-way valve pocket masks

Cervical collars or neck braces→ Neck braces

Climbing devices for rehabilitation or therapy→ Stair climbing machines

Cross trainers→ Elliptical trainers

Crutches or crutch accessories→ Crutches

Desktop computers

Dynamometers→ Muscle strength dynamometers

Electromyography EMG units or accessories→ Biofeedback equipment

Electronic blood pressure units→ Automated blood pressure cuffs

Emergency response litters or stretchers or accessories→ Emergency response stretchers

Facial shields→ Face shields; Mouth guards

Fitness weights→ Free weights

Full body immersion hydrotherapy baths or tanks→ Whirlpool therapy baths

Goniometers

Gymnastic bars or beams→ Parallel bars

Knee brace or support→ Knee immobilizers

Leg orthopedic softgoods or accessories→ Lower extremity braces

Medical exam or non surgical procedure gloves→ Medical examination protective gloves

Medical hydrocollators or accessories→ Hydrocollator heating units

Notebook computers→ Laptop computers

Orthopedic splint systems→ Air splints; Fixed splints; Vacuum splints

Oxygen therapy delivery system products accessories or its supplies→ Oxygen administration equipment

Patient care beds or accessories for specialty care→ Tilt tables

Patient floor scales→ Medical scales

Pedal exercisers for rehabilitation or therapy→ Exercise bicycles

Pelvis or back traction supplies→ Cervical traction units; Lumbar traction units

Personal computers

Psychrometers→ Sling psychrometers

Pulse oximeter units→ Pulse oximeters

Resistance bands→ Exercise bands

Resistance tubes→ Exercise tubing

Rowing machines

Safety helmets→ Sports helmets

Skinfold calipers→ Body-fat calipers

Spine boards→ Spinal immobilization equipment

Therapeutic balls or accessories→ Swiss exercise balls

Therapeutic heating or cooling pads or compresses or packs→ Cold therapy equipment; Heat therapy equipment

Therapeutic paraffin baths or accessories→ Therapeutic paraffin baths

Traction splint sets→ Traction splints

Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation units→ Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation TENS equipment

Treadmill exercisers for rehabilitation or therapy→ Exercise treadmills

Two way radios

Ultrasonic therapy apparatus or supplies→ Therapeutic ultrasound equipment

Weight machines for rehabilitation or therapy→ Weight machines

Social→ Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Realistic→ Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Investigative→ Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.

Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Social Orientation→ Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Relationships→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Achievement→ Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Independence→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.