An athletic trainer plays an important role in the prevention, recognition, management, and rehabilitation of active individuals with sports related injuries. As part of a health care team, the athletic trainer works under the direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care workers, administrators, coaches, and parents. Most high school athletic trainers are also teacher certified so they can instruct in the classroom. In addition, many college athletic trainers instruct students in the classroom. Professional Sports Professional sports offer job opportunities for athletic trainers to work with one sport, such as football, basketball, baseball, etc.
Athletic trainers have few opportunities in professional sports due to the limited number of teams.
This setting provides athletic trainers the opportunity to work with a diverse patient population. Working with a variety of different health care professionals the clinical athletic trainer will help to manage and rehabilitate active individuals with injuries as part of a coordinated team. This is the fastest growing setting and provides the most employment opportunities for the athletic trainer. This page last updated October 13, 1998.