Certified Athletic Trainers are professional health care experts who specialize in athletic health care. They are trained in the areas of prevention, recognition, immediate treatment, management, and rehabilitation of injuries caused by physical activity. They also serve as a link between physically active individuals and other members of the medical community. Certified Athletic Trainers are employed in a variety of different settings. These include high schools, colleges, hospital and private rehabilitation clinics, physician offices, industrial settings, and other sites where physical activity occurs. Duties vary from site-to-site but many are common throughout the profession. These will usually include orthopedic bracing, evaluation and immediate treatment of injuries, development and supervision of rehabilitation programs, medical record keeping, and facility evaluation. It is normally not a stationary position. In some cases, irregular work hours including evenings and weekends, as well as travel will be required of the athletic trainer in order to care for the daily needs of today’s competitive athlete.

Education and training to become an athletic trainer includes a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from an accredited program as well as passing a national certification exam. Interested individuals should enjoy physical activity, people, have an interest in learning about medicine and human anatomy, and have the ability to work in pressure situations while making quick decisions.

If you want to learn more about being a Certified Athletic Trainer and an American Medical Association allied professional, contact Iowa Western Community College’s Sports Medicine Dept at 712-325-3735.