What is Athletic Training  Specialized care given to athletes and those involved in exercise  Provided by a Certified Athletic Trainer  Includes Prevention Recognition Evaluation care/rehabilitation

History of Athletic Training  The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) was founded in  It is the professional membership association for certified athletic trainers and others who support the athletic training profession.  The NATA has grown to more than 30,000 members worldwide today

History Continued  The American Medical Association recognized Athletic Training as an allied health profession in 1991.

Qualities of an Athletic Trainer  Enjoy exercise, sport and recreation  Work with people  Problem solve  Work under stress  Analyze  communicate

Workplace  Work outside of traditional work day Nights Weekends Travel Holidays Often more than 40 hours a week  Work outside in all types of weather  lifting

Duties  Analyzing injuries  Taping and wrapping  Implement and design rehabiliation programs  Demonstrate movements  Use modalities and equipment  Record, organize and store information

Code of Conduct  Respect the rights, welfare and dignity of all individuals  Comply with the laws and regulations governing the practice of athletic training  Accept responsibility for the exercise of sound judgement  Mainntain and promote high standards in the provision of services

Conduct continued  Not engage in any form of conduct the constitutes a conflict of interest or that adversely reflects on the profession

Education  Minimum of a bachelor’s degree  Students must complete a program for athletic training that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training (CAATE)

Education continued  In this program, they must master course work in basic sciences: anatomy and physiology physics exercise physiology injury evaluation and rehabilitation nutrition risk management healthcare administration

 Students are required to get clinical experience practicing their assessment and treatment skills. This is usually obtained through acting as a student athletic trainer for their respective school's athletic teams under the supervision of an ATC which is often supplemented with the guidance of a more experienced student trainer.

 Once one has successfully completed the program requirements (i.e. graduating), a successful applicant must pass the NATA’s (National Athletic Trainer’s Association) Board of Certification (BOC) certification exam in which students are evaluated in their knowledge of: injury prevention clinical evaluation immediate care treatment and rehabilitation organization and administration professional responsibility 2

 Once an athletic trainer is certified, he/she may need to be licensed by his/her respective state in order to practice which the ATC does by completing the appropriate forms.  Once practicing, an ATC must maintain certification by staying current in field related topics and completing continuing education requirements that are subject to audit every three years.

 A vast majority of ATC’s further their education by earning master’s and/or doctorial degrees. In fact over 70% of certified athletic trainers have earned a master’s degree. 1

Work Settings  High school: most have teaching credentials  College: most have master’s degrees  Professional: small number of jobs, low turn over, mostly for men  Clinical: work with physical therapist  Non-traditional Industry Rodeo performance

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