Athletic Trainer Essay, Research Paper
Athletic Trainer
An athletic trainer seeking employment in today’s job market is likely to
encounter many problems and obstacles along the way. The need for higher
education greatly affects the prospect for the athletic trainer with only the
baccaulereate degree. Those with this degree are better suited to seek
employment in the rehabilitative therapy clinic setting. Many of these clinics
have contracts with the local high schools or university thus allowing for more
employees and allowing these entry level positions. Clinics also tebd to employ
the student trainers who also have a tendency to move on after their education.
With third party payees coming more into this field there should be an increase
in the job availability for the athletic trainer in the clinical setting. There
are also many openings for trainers in the high school level. The down side to
this area of work is that this position is not generally based on the care and
concern for the health and well being of the student athlete but is contingent
on the budget aspect. The most dismal field for an athletic trainer seeking
employment is in the college level. Athletic trainers most certainly need
advanced degrees as well as certification of the National Athletic Trainers
Association. Most Athletic trainers in this level have accepted employment while
in college or attending that particular university. The college level for the
athletic trainer position has not increased over the past few years- due impart
to the hiring of the student trainers leaving no openings for the athletic
trainer who is seeking full time employment. Obviously there is a definite need
for advanced degrees in todays society, if one is seeking employment as an
athletic trainer due to the fact that there is a very limited job field and
openings are few and far between. In order to be fully prepared for the position
of athletic trainer in todays sports related society, the potential trainer
needs to obtain the minimum of a baccalaureate degree with a designated course
of study. They need to have studied thoroughly anatomy and physiology,
physiology of exercise, rehabilitation, kineseiology, psychology, injury
evaluation and also emergency care procedures and techniques. Before meeting the
requirements to become eligible to test for the National Athletic Trainers
Association (NATA) a potential trainer needs a minumum of 800 clinical hours of
experience or 1500 hours if not enrolled in an accredited athletic training
education program. The NATA also requires continuing education units for a
certified trainer to remain certified through them. The steps to obtaining a
career in the field of athletic training are fairly simple. A desire to work in
the sports related field is obviously the driving force for most. A BA is the
minimum degree along with clinical hours of experience as noted earlier. Also
the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification requires
continuing education classed to maintain and update your knowledge of new
procedures. A Masters Degree is often sought by the athletic trainer to further
advance their career. A select few often go on and pursue a doctoral degree and
progress on to become instructors. Depending on the location of the high school/
clinic/ university the Athletic trainer may encounter many different obstacles
to overcome in the day to day running of the training office. A few of these
problems are, but not limited to, the following: Budgeting problems: many
athletic trainers have learned how to ?juggle? funds and become extremely frugal
to maintain within the budget limitations. Travel: there is often the need for
the trainer to accompany the team or athletes on the road to games and sports
events which poses a hardship both on the trainers life and the life of their
families. There will always be the legal aspects of the job field to content
with for the athletic trainers. There is a definate need for the explicit
following of all rules and procedures in order to try to prevent any egal
ramifications. While employeed at any particular school or clinic a trainer
should be covered at all times by the schools liability policy. All athletes are
required to sign a waiver when they decide to participate in the sport of their
choice and this too is a protective measure for both the trainer and the school
or the clinic. Although it may seem like the problems along with the dismal job
openings are a great deal to contend with when one is contemplating choosing the
field of Athletic Training there are a great many pluses to this field too. Many
a trainer has a feeling of camaradarie with his athletes feeling of being one of
the team…being one with the boys. They also feel a sense of pride and
accomplishment when their team or athlete does well also. An athletic trainer
tends to become an integral part of an athletes life as they see each other on a
daily basis in the training room or at the clinic. Athletes often come to the
trainer for advice on how to maintain the health of their bodies as well as with
the rehabilitation of their injuries. The trainer is there to offer advice and
also for the support when an athlete is feeling down and about recovery. This
is a very important part of the job.