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Athletic Trainer Education - Starting Your Career in Sports Medicine

Have you made the decision to enter Sports Medicine as an Athletic Trainer? It is not uncommon for individuals to consider this an easy field to enter. It looks easy when you see an Athletic trainer sprint onto the field to help out a player with a sprained ankle. The reality is much different. An Athletic Trainer Education is demanding. The career is highly rewarding both personally and financially, but requires intensive preparation. Let us take a look at some of the requirement you will be facing.
Educational Options for Your Athletic Trainer Degree
You have two basic options for your Athletic major.
Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training
Masters Degree in Athletic Training
The bachelor degree programs required for certification are currently offered by 342 different colleges and universities around the USA. The Masters programs are more limited with only 24 programs currently being accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
Usually the College offering a Masters Degree program allows students with unrelated Bachelors degree to enter the program. If you have an existing degree and are wishing to change careers and become a Trainer this will be the fastest path. The athletic training graduate programs will include a combination of classroom education and hands-on clinical experience.
Athletic trainer schools are available in almost every state in the nation making it very easy to start.
Meeting All the Requirements for Certification
The education requirements are based on two critical factors. The first factor is the rules set forth by the CAATE. All programs must meet these standards. The second factor is matching state licensing or certification requirements. Many states accept the national certification while other states have local guidelines which must be met.
There is one other important factor for you to be prepared for. Even after you have graduated with your certification you will have an ongoing educational requirement. The National Athletics Training Association (NATA) requires recertification and ongoing training. This includes a module on Emergency Cardiac Care.
This is one career choice which requires you keep your skills sharp, focused, and ready for quick action.
Understanding Your Educational Future
Every college will have slight variation in their curriculum, but you can be certain to be taking many of the following classes:
Foundations of Athletic Training
Responding to Emergencies
Basic Human Physiology
Human Anatomy
Kinesiology
Therapeutic Rehabilitation
Pharmacology
Sports Psychology
Administrative Aspects of Athletic Training
Clinical Athletic Training Labs
Orthopedic Assessment
These courses should be both exciting and challenging for most students. After completing your education in Athletic Training you will have an understanding of the human body exceeding almost every educational avenue except medicine.
It is important to note you will have a variety of other required courses in Sociology, History, English, Mathematics, and other required general education courses. An Athletic Trainer is a professional and requires a well rounded education.
Hands-On Experience during Your Athletic Trainer Education
Every Athletic Trainer degree program will require hands-on clinical experience. Your hands-on work will not happen in only a lab or classroom environment but in live clinical situations. Expect to be assigned to work in one of these areas:
College Sports Teams
High School Sports
Sports Medicine Clinics
Professional Sports Teams (Where available)
During your years of education you will likely rotate through a variety of clinical settings to give you a well rounded education and career preparation. Once you begin your career you will need to react instantly to injuries and only be hands-on clinical experience is this possible.
The Rewards of Completing Your Education
The reward for enduring through a Bachelor or Master Degree in Athletic Training comes in several forms.
Personal Pride
Community Recognition
Exciting Career
Excellent Pay
The Athletic Trainer salary ranges dramatically throughout the country. The lowest 10% earn approximately $25,000 per year while the upper 10% earn over $65,000 per year. The median is $44,000 per year. Keep in mind many of the professionals in the lowest tier are working in high school education and may be receiving additional pay as a school teacher, coach, or other function.
Undertaking an Athletic Trainer education is a choice filled with rewards. You will have the excitement of live clinical experience during your college years followed with one of the most rewarding careers possible.
Choosing a career in the sports medical field can be a rewarding and exciting career. To learn what it takes to break into this field including salaries, top colleges and medical degree programs to choose, visit: [http://SportsMedicineSalary.org]

Comments

  1. professional paper writing serviceAugust 5, 2017 at 10:28 PM

    This is great job and i know every body are like this career in sports. It also so entertainment for us. For enjoy the life this is best place for job.

    ReplyDelete

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