What is a Certified Athletic Trainer?
The name can be a little misleading ...
A Certified Athletic Trainer is a medical professional.* We work largely with athletes, taking care of injuries and covering any age or sport. Some Certified Athletic Trainers work with doctors or Physical Therapists in Sports Medicine clinics, and some work in various other settings taking care of people with physically demanding jobs. The everyday work is doing whatever your athlete’s need:
- injury prevention
- First aid care
- Injury evaluation
- Injury treatment
- Rehabilitation
- Game preparation
- Nutrition counseling
- Help with strength and conditioning
- Basic mental health help
- Record keeping
- Communicates and coordinates with other members of a medical team
- Communicates with the coaching staff
- Communicates with parents – if the athlete is a minor
- Advocates for the athlete’s health and well being with all of the various parties
A Certified Athletic Trainer always works to maximize an athlete’s performance opportunities while taking care of their health.
* Saying a Certified Athletic Trainer is a “medical professional” means that we have a college degree, have passed a national certification exam, and have continuing education requirements to keep the certification current.
