Athletic Trainer Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides exhaustive information on the athletic trainer job description and career, to help you learn what they do.

It highlights the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities that typically make up the athletic trainer work description and the major requirements you will need to fulfill to be hired for the role.

You will also learn how to become an athletic trainer and the various career opportunities you can explore.

The salary expectation for the athletic trainer role is also discussed.

Please, read on:

What Does an Athletic Trainer Do?

The athletic trainer job description entails determining the nature and extent of injuries.

They formulate a strategy for each injury by using the most appropriate treatment approach.

Athletic trainers decide on the type of equipment that should be used during treatment.

One of the main types of equipment used is the taping tape.

They have to collect and analyze data using statistics so as to make improvement in terms of training strategy and injury prevention methods.

The athletic trainer role involves recommending changes in training programs in line with new information that could impact on their performance.

It also includes providing guidance on diet and nutrition to players, so as to help them achieve optimal performance during the season.

Furthermore, athletic trainers provide training advice, especially when it comes to the mechanics of running.

The guide should also focus on improving players’ overall performance.

Another task of the athletic trainer is handling injuries that are common in many positions, such as sprains, strains, hip and ankle pain, and tennis elbow.

They supervise rehabilitation facilities during practice sessions and also oversee rehabilitative exercises.

The athletic trainer’s duties also involve teaching other members of staff, especially when it comes to rehabilitation techniques.

This position will also works with team physicians.

Trainers will address injuries that are referred to them by the team physician or other medical personnel.

They provide skilled first aid in case of injuries and make decisions in terms of treatment, such as administering injections and using taping tape.

This is to support injured or sore muscles.

In addition to performing their main duties, athletic trainers work together with other staff members, such as physical therapists, trainers, and strength coaches.

More on Athletic Trainer Job Description

The athletic trainer job description also involves designing effective training programs for rehabilitation purposes.

This is to facilitate the recovery process after an injury or surgery.

It also entails ensuring that athletes are sufficiently stretched and warmed up before taking part in practice.

The trainer will also coach players on the usage of protective equipment, such as helmets and shoulder pads during practice and games.

They take charge of preventive measures to avoid injuries.

Athletic Trainer Job Description Sample/Example/Template

The athletic trainer job description entails the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:

• Provide the training and conditioning for athletes
• Implement the methods to ensure the health of athletes
• Advise on orthopedic issues for team players
• Provide counseling and guidance to players in terms of mental readiness, as well as performance improvement
• Diagnose and treat injuries
• Advise in terms of injuries, rehabilitation, and preventative measures
• Provide first aid care
• Ensure that the facilities are safe and clean at all times
• Assist with scheduling at the venues where the games are held
• Develop the fitness training and conditioning programs for the team
• Develop strategies to help improve the performance of athletes
• Provide advice on dietary and nutritional requirements of athletes
• Recruit new players, including evaluating talent from alternative sources
• Manage the team’s finances and budgets (i.e., procuring funds) for equipment, supplies, etc.)
• Attend all games played by the team
• Set up and manage a training schedule.

Athletic Trainer Job Description for Resume

If you have worked before as an athletic trainer or are presently working in that role, and are making a new resume or CV, you can apply the sample athletic trainer job description provided above in making your resume.

You can apply the athletic trainer duties provided in expressing what you did or are doing as an athletic trainer in the Professional Experience section of your resume.

This will show to the recruiter/employer that you have been successful working as an athletic trainer.

Having this piece of information in your resume can greatly influence the recruiter/employer to invite you to an interview.

This is so, especially if the new position that you are seeking requires someone with some athletic trainer work experience.

Athletic Trainer Job Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

Here are major requirements that you may be asked to meet if you are seeking to work as an athletic trainer:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree or an Associate’s degree in an accredited athletic training program
• License/certification to practice as an athletic trainer (which varies by state). Athletic trainers may seek certification through the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), which does not require a Bachelor’s degree for acceptance. Most states, however, do require a Bachelor’s degree from a NATA-accredited program and passage of the NCCA-developed NATA examination, as well as continuing education for continued licensure. Certain states may require special licensure to perform invasive procedures such as injections or taping injured athletes
• Experience in a professional athletic training/rehabilitation setting. Due to the nature of their job, many athletic trainers develop experience through volunteering
• Strong working knowledge of athletic training techniques and procedures
• Knowledge of child abuse prevention and safety laws and recommendations to prevent child abuse
• Other skills (i.e., interpersonal, computer, etc.) that are needed for the position
• Advanced knowledge of sports equipment. These include helmets, video equipment, tape measure, strength-training routines, and special orthotics designed especially for athletes
• Good oral and written communication skills so as to communicate with participants in terms of communication effectively with doctors and others in charge at the event

More Athletic Trainer Job Requirements

• Strong decision-making skills so as to make the appropriate decisions regarding healing and rehab
• Familiar with team rules, regulations, and policies
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a team atmosphere
• Appropriate personal qualities for the position such as organizational skills, interpersonal skills, leadership qualities and creative problem solving abilities
• Patience since this job is highly stressful due to the high demands of being away from home for extended periods of time.
• Job opportunities are likely to be limited in terms of number of openings due to the competitive nature of the industry as well as a high demand for athletic trainers

Athletic Trainer Salary

Salary.com reports that athletic trainers earns on average $59,068 per year while indeed.com shares the base salary to be $49,280 per year.

The top paying cities according to ziprecruiter.com are: Stanford, CA, $64,839; Atkinson, NE, $62,669; Green River, WY, $61,618;   Stamford, CT, $60,379, and Bellevue, WA, $59,927.          

According to zippia.com, there are now approximately 27,556 sports trainers working in the United States.

Women make up 46.9% of all sports trainers, while males make up 53.1%. 

An employed athletic trainer is 39 years old on average. 

White (69.3%) is the most common ethnicity among sports trainers, followed by Hispanic or Latino (11.3%), Black or African American (10.9%), and Asian (5.6%).

Women were projected to earn 99% of what males would earn in 2021.

Conclusion

This post is helpful to individuals interested in the athletic trainer career, to learn all they need to know about what athletic trainers do.

It is also useful to employers/recruiters who want to make a job description for the athletic trainer’s role in their organizations. They can apply the sample athletic trainer job description provided on this page in making a detailed one for their companies.

See: Athletic Trainer Career Opportunities.