Job Description of a Sports Trainer
Sports trainers, also known as athletic trainers, have knowledge of a variety of recreational, amateur and professional sports. They work at high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, health care and fitness facilities. Some work as self-employed personal trainers. Sports trainers specialize with one sport, activity or have general practices. Diagnostic, instructional and treatment skills are essential qualities in this sports profession.
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Duties
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Knowledge of muscular systems is important. Sports trainers diagnose, treat and rehabilitate patients with bone and muscle injuries and illnesses. They apply ice to injuries, massage and stretch muscles and create restorative treatment plans. Sports trainers consult with coaches, emergency medical technicians, physicians, physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons. They train, supervise and mentor less-experienced sports trainers.
Education/Training
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A bachelor's degree is a minimum requirement. Sports trainers must have a bachelor's degree in exercise science, physical education or physical therapy. Master's degrees are required for many positions at colleges and universities. Aspiring sports trainers should take courses in anatomy, CPR, emergency medicine, exercise science, first aid, physiology and psychology.
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Certification
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Certification is integral for athletic trainers. Forty-seven American states require certification for athletic trainers from the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC). Certification is voluntary in Alaska, California, the District of Columbia and West Virginia. The BOC details the requirements for certification: "An individual must complete an entry-level athletic training education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and pass the BOC certification exam."
Key Traits
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Trainers must have the ability to work with a variety of patients. Successful sports trainers must have good communication and people skills. They need to have a good understanding about a variety of sports and leisure activities. Long hours and travel may be required for sports trainers who work with college and professional teams. Athletic trainers who work at fitness centers or as self-employed consultants work irregular hours and frequently during nights and weekends.
Anticipated Salary
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The mean annual salary for trainers was $44,020 in 2008. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual salary for athletic trainers is $44,020, as of May 2008. They earn mean annual salaries ranging from $25,510 for the lowest 10 percent to $65,140 for the highest 10 percent, according to the BLS.
Prospects
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The employment outlook is favorable for athletic trainers. The BLS projects job growth of 37 percent between 2008 and 2018. This projected figure is significantly faster compared to all other occupations. The increased demand for athletic trainers at hospitals, medical facilities, fitness and recreation sports centers contributes to the favorable projection, according to the BLS.
Expert Insight
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Colleges employ many athletic and sports trainers. Jerry Weber is the head athletic trainer at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, as of May 2010. The University of Nebraska website provided a glimpse into his main responsibilities: "Along with his duties as head trainer, Weber directs all orthopedic rehabilitation and coordinates the return to sport programs with orthopedic specialists and training staff."
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References
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