Introduction
Athletic training as a profession is one of the most fulfilling for people who are interested in sports, health and welfare of individuals who intend to reach their physical prime. Similarly, they are involved in assessing, treating, and rehabilitating disorders that may happen in athletes and sports fields.
But getting to this type of career entails the proper educational processes and certification paths. In this article, we’ll discuss the athletic trainer education details, from the required degrees, certifications, as well as personal attributes that will help an individual succeed in the chosen profession.
Educational Path for Athletic Trainers
The educational preparation of athletic trainers’ entails highlights in health-related fields, including anatomy and physiology. Athletic training as a course of study incorporates classroom study with clinical experience and thus prepares the students for the various aspects of the profession.
A. Requirements for Completion of an Athletic Trainer Degree
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in athletic training is the initial requirement of becoming a certified athletic trainer. It usually takes four years to complete and the course content includes, but is not limited to, injuries, emergent care, therapy, and rehabilitation. Accredited programs are very important because it is the programs that have to meet the educational requirements for certification.
B. Athletic Trainer Programs
Some of the universities have developed athletic trainer degree programs that would be helpful to the various players. Many of these programs for athletic trainers contain internships or clinical affiliation that enables the students to work as athletic trainers at training facilities under direction of certified athletic trainers.
Athletic Trainer Certification
As once said, the third stage after receiving the necessary education is certification. Certification for the athletic trainers is important since it confirms you pass all the requirements that will make you employable in several areas.
· Becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer
Becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer is important in order to be able to provide best quality care to patients. To become a certified athletic trainer, you have to take the BOC examination to gain the certification. This exam determines your preparedness on core areas like; alleviation of injuries, clinical assessment, acute care, management and rehabilitation.
· Qualification for Certification as an Athletic Trainer
Requirement to meet for certification of athletic trainers is to complete a CAATE accredited program and pass the Athletic Training Alternate Assessment and the BOC exam. Continuing education is necessary to refresh the certification every now and then to keep abreast with the set practice and techniques in athletic training.
· State Licensure
This, however, should be understood that some states demand extra licensure in addition to the BOC certification and everyone should carefully study the necessities of the destined state.
· Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Describe that again, to renew the certification, one has to earn CEUs which makes sure the athletic trainers are up to date with the current trends and developments in the field.
Athletic Trainer Job Requirement
There are various athletic trainer jobs requirements besides education and certification; those that are highlighted below. These are communication skills, ability to work under pressure and good knowledge in the field of sports medicine. Athletic trainers must also be able to communicate and work with both the coaches and the athletes besides the other persons such as doctors.
Athletic Trainer Skills
It has therefore been established that this career involves whit having athletic trainer skills. All these skills are vital in order to be in a position that you can handle injuries, attend to the athletes and also provide them with any care that they might require.
- Key Skills Common to Sports Medicine Professionals
These are some of the important abilities that athletic trainers need to possess; critical thinking, problem analysis and decision making. In addition to this, an athletic trainer needs interpersonal skills to garner trust of the athletes while working with other doctors.
- Athletic Trainer Competencies
In specific terms, competencies entail the trait qualities of an athletic trainer as well as suitable training course, which means that an athletic trainer is required to be technical and a cool-headed person who knows how to handle emergency conditions and has a caring touch. These competencies are acquired through learning particularly including academic learning and professional experience so that the athletic trainers would be able to meet the challenge in their profession.
Athletic Trainer Salary Expectations
Exploring athletic trainer’s pay scale can be useful to those people interested in working in this profession. Although the salary largely depends on the location, experience, and the place of work the athletic trainers can be assured of decent wages on the job.
Athletic trainers are compensated fairly well, as seen from the following:
BLS states that the median annual wages of athletic trainers are almost $50000. However, those who work in conditions that are more demanding, in professional sport teams or some clinic for example may earn much more.
- Factors Influencing Salary
Identify variables that may affect employee’s wage including experience, other certification, level of the regarded sports team or organization and geographic location.
- Negotiating Benefits
Explain why it is necessary to bargain for the things like medical insurance, pensions, training and development programs, and tuition reimbursement.
- Athletic Trainer Earnings
One can also examine other determinants of pay structure of athletic trainers including, certifications, degrees and working experience. As with most careers, it is important to further one’s education and engage in continuous professional development in order to achieve the highest level of pay.
Online Education for Athletic Trainers
Possible limitations include the increasing number of on-line education programs’ possibilities for aspiring athletic trainers to finish their education. Athletic trainer programs online are also favorable to students who wish to balance between class work and other activities.
- Blended Learning Models
Implement hybrid-based courses with web-based classes and on-site clinical practice so as to allow students to earn credit and acquire hands-on experience.
- Technology-Enhanced Learning
Explain how learning can be improved by technological advancements, for example, ways of using technology to teach identity and assess and demonstrate the methods used in assessing and rehabilitating an injured part of the body.
Online Certification to the Athletic Trainers
Certain programs also provide online certification programs for the athletic trainers which can be availed by the students and through which they can complete their necessary coursework and prepare for the certification tests from distance. But it is crucial to make sure that any online program only has passing accreditation and only complies with the necessities of certificate.
Accreditation of Online Courses: Stress on the points that an online course/program must be accredited and follow the certification procedure.
Peer Networking: Explain how, with respect to online programs; there is always an element of the learning process that consists of discussion forums and web-based interactions which enable the student in question to share ideas and network with other students and the working community, respectively.
Virtual Programs related to Athletic Trainer
In the same manner, online athletic trainer programs do not differ in any way to the normal athletic trainer programs since they are only delivered online. Such programs are likely to contain virtual simulations, video lectures, and interactive modules as a part of the educational course.
- Simulated Clinical Experience: Explain that there is program which could provide clinical like simulations of the real practice environment so that skills could be rehearsed.
- Flexibility for Working Professionals: Point out that the online programs will be especially ideal for the grown-up students, who cannot afford to be going to a class all the time because of their employments.
Conclusion
The academic plan of getting to be an athletic trainer is one that is challenging but very fruitful. It calls for basic health sciences knowledge, accredited continual education, and trainer ship in the field with practical sense of application. If one goes through the course of studying to become a certified athletic trainer, the following ingredients makes one prepare for a fulfilling occupation in the field of athletic training.
Lastly, whether it is on-campus program or online education, the important factors that often play the major role for success is hard work, and commitment to would like to help others reach for the stars and ultimately, achieve in sports. Given the increasing population that requires professional services of athletic trainers, well certified and educated personnel will have wide prospects to head to and contribute positively towards the health of athletes.
