Chapter 28
Athletic Training as a
Profession
Objectives
 Define Athletic Training.
 Describe the roles of the ATC.
 Describe the roles of other health care providers and
the sports medicine team.
 List the requirements for becoming a competent ATC.
 Describe the job opportunities available to ATCs.
What is Athletic Training?
 A profession dedicated to
maintaining and improving the
health and well-being of the
physically active population and
preventing athletics-related
injuries and illnesses.
 Athletic Trainers (ATs) are health
care professionals who
collaborate with physicians to
provide preventative services,
emergency care, clinical
diagnosis, therapeutic
intervention and rehabilitation of
injuries and medical conditions.
Athletic Training Professional
Associations
 National Athletic Trainers’
Association
 Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’
Association
 Illinois Athletic Trainers’
Association
 Board of Certification
 Commission on Accreditation
of Athletic Training Education
State of Illinois Accredited Athletic
Training Education Programs (ATEP)
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Aurora University
Eastern Illinois University
Illinois State University
Lewis University
McKendree University
Millikin University
North Central College
North Park University
Northern Illinois University
Olivet Nazarene University
Trinity International University
Western Illinois University
Roles (Domains) of an Athletic Trainer
 Preventative Services
 Clinical Diagnosis
 Immediate and Emergency
Care
 Therapeutic Intervention
and Rehabilitation
 Organizational and
Professional Health and
Well-being
Preventative Services
 Injury/Illness Prevention and
Wellness Protection
 Educating participants and
managing risk for safe
performance and function.
 Give examples of this:
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Pre-participation exams
Emergency action plans
Reviewing fields for hazards
Monitor for environmental
conditions
 Education about nutrition,
performance-enhancing drugs
 Monitor for overtraining
 Maintain clinical and treatment
areas
Clinical Diagnosis
 Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis
 Implementing standard
evaluation techniques and
formulating a clinical impression
for the determination of a course
of action.
 Give examples of this:
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History
Observation
Palpation
Special Tests
 Then formulate a diagnosis by
interpreting information gained.
 Educate the athlete (and
parents/coaches) about the
current potential injury and care.
 HOPS for a Foot
Immediate and Emergency Care
 Immediate and Emergency Care
 Employing standard care
procedures and communicating
outcomes for efficient and
appropriate care of the injured.
 Give examples of this:
 Coordinate care
 Apply appropriate care that does
not exacerbate the current
situation
 Implement appropriate referral
strategies
 Implement and direct immediate
care strategies
Therapeutic Intervention and
Rehabilitation
 Treatment and Rehabilitation
 Reconditioning participants for
optimal performance and function.
 Give examples of this:
 Administer therapeutic and
conditioning exercises appropriately
 Administer therapeutic modalities
appropriately
 Apply braces, splints, and other
assistive devices appropriately
 Administer treatment for injury,
illness, or other conditions
appropriately
 Reassess injuries and document
treatments, rehabilitation and
reconditioning to evaluate return to
activity.
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Organizational and Professional
Health and Well-being
 Organizational and Professional Health
and Well‐being
 Understanding and adhering to
approved organizational and
professional practices and guidelines
to ensure individual and
organizational well-being.
 Give examples of this:
 Support individual and organizational
growth
 Support organizational sustainability,
growth and development
 Maintain records and documentation
 Keep EAPs up to date
 Be aware of professional standards to
provide safety and welfare of
individual(s) and groups
 Develop support/referral process for
interventions
Sports Medicine Team Members
*Sport Psychologist
*Strength coach
*School nurse
*Dietitian/Nutritionist
*Primary care physician
*Urologist
*Allergist
Parents
*Cardiologist
Coach
Athlete
*Pediatrician
*Gynecologist
Team
*Dentist
Physician
*Physical Therapist
ATC
*Chiropractor
*Neurologist
*Podiatrist
*Student assistant
*Equipment manager
Requirements for becoming an ATC
 Must take coursework in
the following areas:
 Athletic injury recognition
and care
 Human Anatomy
 Human Physiology
 Kinesiology
 First aid, CPR, AED
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Psychology
Nutrition
Pharmacology
Therapeutic rehabilitation
Therapeutic modalities
Organization and
administration
 In addition to your general
education requirements
Additional Requirements
 You must earn a
bachelor’s degree from
an accredited
college/university
program.
 Starting in 2020, you will
need to earn a Master’s
degree from an
accredited
college/university
program.
 You must pass the NATA BOC
National examination.
 You must meet State
licensure requirements to
practice in (www.idfpr.com)
 Maintain certification
through CEUs (need 50 hours
ever 2 years)
Job Opportunities as an ATC
 Traditional Settings
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Secondary Schools
Colleges & Universities
Professional Sports
Hospital & Clinical
 Non-traditional Settings
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Occupational Health
Military
Performing Arts
Physician Extender
Public Safety
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