An athletic trainer is an allied (non-physician) health care provider capable of performing immediate and emergency injury management, injury assessment, and rehabilitation. Athletic trainers work closely with other members of the allied health team including Physicians, Physician Assistants, occupational therapist, physical therapists, and others. In countries outside of North America, the athletic trainers' role is often performed by other-named providers such as Sports Physiotherapists, or "physios". For other uses, see Doctor. ... In the United States, Physician Assistants (PAs) are non-physician clinicians licensed to practice medicine with a physicians supervision. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Occupational therapy. ... Physical therapy can help restore lost functionality in many people. ...

Half of athletic trainers are employed in athletic settings including middle school, high school, college/university, professional, and recreational sports. However, with the emergence of the athletic trainer as a fully-fledged member of the allied health community, the other half work in clinical, industrial, and hospital settings as well. Athletics, also known as track and field or track and field athletics, is a collection of sport events. ... Middle school (also known as intermediate school or junior high school) covers a period of education that straddles primary education and secondary education, serving as a bridge between the two. ... For other uses, see High school (disambiguation). ...

Scope of Practice (US)

Although each US state sets its own scope for practicing as an athletic trainer, standardized education ensures the athletic trainer has knowledge in several areas:

• Injury prevention and risk management through developing training and conditioning programs, ensuring a safe playing environment, selecting, fitting, and maintaining protective equipment, explaining the importance of nutrition and using medications appropriately.
• Recognition, evaluation, and assessment of injuries through conducting physical examinations, understanding the pathology of injury and illness, referring to medical care and support services. Immediate care of injury and illness.
• Treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning through design of rehabilitation programs, supervising rehabilitation programs, incorporating therapeutic modalities, and offering psychosocial intervention.
• Organization and administration through record keeping, ordering equipment and supplies, supervising personnel, and establishing policies for operation of an athletic training program. And finally professional development and responsibilities through acting as an educator and counselor.

Injury prevention is the implementation of interventions to prevent or reduce the severity of bodily injuries caused by external mechanisms before they occur. ... For non-business risks, see risk or the disambiguation page risk analysis. ... The updated USDA food pyramid, published in 2005, is a general nutrition guide for recommended food consumption for humans. ... A renal cell carcinoma (chromophobe type) viewed on a hematoxylin & eosin stained slide Pathologist redirects here. ...

History

Athletic trainers, as we know them today, came into existence in the late 19th century with the development and organization of interscholastic athletics. These individuals did not have any formal medical training and were available primarily for "rub-downs" and other home remedies. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Throughout the years the demand for athletic trainers has increased dramatically. In 1950, athletic trainers met in Kansas City, Missouri and officially formed an organization to establish professional standards called the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA). The NATA has grown to include over 30,000 members. Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Location in Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties in the state of Missouri. ... The National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) is the professional membership association for certified athletic trainers and others who support the athletic training profession. ...

Perhaps the most significant impact on the profession of athletic training came in 1990 when the American Medical Association (AMA) decided to include athletic trainers as fellow allied health care professionals. Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... The American Medical Association (AMA) is the largest association of medical doctors in the United States. ...

Education

The standards of athletic training education have changed much since AMA recognition in 1990. Currently the minimum qualifications for becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer (A.T.C.) are a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university and successful passing of a comprehensive examination. In order to maintain certification, an athletic trainer must accumulate 80 hours of continuing education every 3 years. For other degrees, see Academic degree. ...

Nearly 70% of all NATA members also possess some form of post-Bachelor's education whether it be Master's, Doctorate, or additional in another allied health field.

Since January 1, 2004 it is required for all those taking the national certification examination to graduate from an accredited college/university with a specialized accredited program in Athletic Training Education. This change was required in order to ensure that basic minimum standards in the domains of athletic training were met before taking the exam.

Athletic training education programs, an academic major or the equivalent, are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and lead to a bachelor's or master's degree. Certification is granted by the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC).

Academic Programs

Foundational Courses: Human anatomy, Exercise physiology, Kinesiology/biomechanics, Nutrition, Statistics and research design, Strength training and reconditioning, Acute care of injury and illness.

Professional Courses: Risk management and injury/illness prevention, Pathology of injury/illness, Assessment of injury/illness, General medical conditions and disabilities, Therapeutic modalities, Therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation, Health care administration, Weight management and body composition, Psychosocial intervention and referral, Medical ethics and legal issues, Pharmacology, Professional development and responsibilities.

Salary

Salaries vary greatly depending on the setting in which the athletic trainer works. Athletic trainers working in schools, colleges or clinical settings may earn salaries ranging from $25,000 to $65,000 plus.

Athletic trainers working for professional teams may earn from $50,000 to $150,000. As in the amateur realms, actual salaries depend on the type of team, its prestige, and the responsibilities and experience of the athletic trainer.

Credentialing

One must pass a comprehensive examination and possess a bachelor's degree before receiving the credential of Certified Athletic Trainer, or A.T.C. In addition, most states require a state license before practicing. Most states recognize passing the certification examination as evidence of meeting minimum standards for that state; however, the state of Texas requires its own examination before issuing a license. Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ...

External links

• National Athletic Trainers' Association
• Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
• NATA Education Council
• National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification
• Journal of Athletic Training