Professional Sports Athletic Trainer Job Description

Professional sports athletic trainers help prevent injuries.

Athletic trainers work with athletes to treat and prevent injuries. They work in professional sports such as basketball, football, ice hockey and baseball. Most professional athletes will work with an athletic trainer at some point to deal with with medical treatment and injury prevention. There is little turnover for athletic trainer jobs, particularly at the level of professional sports.

Identification

Athletic trainers focus on preventing the types of injures that sideline professional athletes. Often they are the first person with medical training on the scene when the injury occurs, and they help to diagnosis the problem and stabilize the athlete to prevent further injury. Athletic trainers also create exercise programs that are designed to prevent injuries and make general fitness and diet recommendations to pro athletes.

Function

Athletic trainers generally travel with the professional athlete or team so they can work during competitive events where injuries take place. An athletic trainer who works at the professional sports level can expect to travel frequently. Athletic trainers also work extensively with rehabilitation and reconditioning as athletes train and practice.

Education and Training

If you want a job in professional sports as an athletic trainer, you will have to get certified through the Board of Certification Inc. You must pass an exam to get certified, and as a prerequisite you need a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited athletic training program . The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that to get into highly competitive jobs at the professional sports level, most candidates will need to have a master's degree.

Hours and Salary

Athletic trainers at the professional level work the greatest number of hours in the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that athletic trainers at this level must put in time at training camps, practices and competitions, and are often required to put in 12-hour days. Athletic trainers working at the professional sports level are among the highest paid in field, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics earn more than $60,000 per year.

Considerations

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for professional sports athletic trainers have the most competitive hiring process. There are a limited number of positions, and turnover is very low. People looking for a career as a trainer at the professional sports level should consider how they can build their experience and credentials to have a chance of being hired for these competitive jobs.

References

• State University: Athletic Trainer Job Description
• Health Salary Online: Athletic Trainer Job Description
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Athletic Trainers