Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- What is an ATC?
- What type of education does an athletic trainer have?
- Where do ATC's Practice?
What is an ATC?
An athletic trainer is an allied (non-physician) health care provider capable
of performing immediate and emergency injury management, injury assessment,
and rehabilitation. Athletic trainers work closely with other members of the
allied health team including Physicians, Physician Assistants, occupational
therapist, physical therapists, and others.
Half of athletic trainers are employed in athletic settings including middle
school, high school, college/university, professional, and recreational
sports. However, with the emergence of the athletic trainer as a fully-
fledged member of the allied health community, the other half work in
clinical, industrial, and hospital settings as well.
What type of education does an athletic trainer have?
Certified athletic trainers have, at minimum, a bachelor's degree, usually in
athletic training, health, physical education or exercise science. In
addition, athletic trainers study human anatomy, human psychology/counseling.
Certified athletic trainers also participate in extensive clinical
affiliations with athletic teams under appropriate supervision.
Where do ATC's Practice?
High School
Athletic trainers in the high school work to prevent, treat, and rehabilitate
athletic injuries which may happen during practice or competition. Some
athletic trainer's 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 around the country 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 all
over the country, including football, basketball, baseball, and hockey.