What is a Certified Athletic
Trainer?
Definition
| Education | Certification
| Practicing in Ohio | Employment
>>Definition
The Certified Athletic
Trainer is highly educated and skilled professional specializing in athletic
health care. In cooperation with physicians and other allied health personnel,
the athletic trainer functions as an integral member of the athletic health
care team in secondary schools, colleges and universities, sports medicine
clinics, professional sports programs and other athletic health care settings.
Athletic Trainers have been recognized by the AMA (American Medical Association) as an allied health care profession since 1990.
>>Education
Athletic training students graduate from accredited curricula that include, but are not limited to, the following areas of study:
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Assessment and Evaluation |
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Acute Care |
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General Medical Conditions and Disabilities |
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Pathology of Injury and Illness |
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Pharmacological Aspects of Injury and Illness |
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Nutritional Aspects of Injury and Illness |
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Therapeutic Exercise |
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Therapeutic Modalities |
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Risk Management and Injury Prevention |
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Health Care Administration |
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Professional Development and Responsibilities |
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Psychosocial Intervention and Referral |
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Students participate in clinical education in a variety of practice settings such as high schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, emergency rooms, physician's offices, and healthcare clinics throughout their education. Clinical education can (and should) occur throughout their education.
>>Certification
Certified
athletic trainers have fulfilled the requirements for certification established
by the National Athletic Trainers' Association
Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC). The certification examination
administered by NATABOC consists of a written portion with multiple choice
questions; an oral/practical section that evaluates the skill components
of the domains within athletic training; and a written simulation test,
consisting of athletic training related situations designed to approximate
real-life decision making. This last portion of the test evaluates athletic
trainers' ability to resolve cases similar to those they might encounter
in actual practice. The examination covers a variety of topics within
the five practice domains of athletic training:
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Prevention |
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Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis |
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Immediate Care |
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Treatment, Rehabilitation, and Reconditioning |
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Organization and Administration |
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Professional Responsibility |
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Once
athletic trainers pass the certification examination proving skills and
knowledge within each of the five domains, they may use the designation "ATC."
>>Practicing
in Ohio
In
order to practice in Ohio you must have the following:
>A degree from a CAATE-accredited four-year college or university.
>Successful completion of a written, practical, and oral examination
administered by the National Athletic Trainers
Association.
>Licensure through the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy,
and Athletic Training Board.
Click here for more information on
Ohio Licensure!
>>Employment
High School
Athletic trainers in the high school work to prevent and treat athletic
injuries which may happen during practice or competition. Some athletic
trainers teach at the high school during the day, while others may work
at a sports medicine clinic.
College/University
At the college level the athletic trainer covers practice sessions and
home and away competitions, supervises the educational experiences of
student trainers and may teach sports medicine courses. Many colleges
and universities in Ohio offer an NATA approved undergraduate curriculum
where students major in athletic training.
Clinical
In a sports medicine clinic, athletic trainers have a variety of responsibilities.
They may work with patient treatment and rehabilitation, provide athletic
training coverage for a high school or small college and conduct coaches
certification workshops and other sports medicine educational programs.
Professional
Athletic trainers work year-round with the professional sports teams in
Ohio, including football, basketball, baseball, and hockey.
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