An 'athletic trainer' is an allied 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's assistants, occupational therapist, physical therapists, and others. Professionals in the healthcare industry [1] are often referred to as allied health professionals which usually need formal training before they are hired, for example, medical assistants [2], dental hygienists and assistants, phlebotomists [3], physical therapists and physical therapy assistants, hemodialysis technicians, laboratory technicians, electrocardiographic technicians, x-ray technicians, medical... The Doctor by Samuel Luke Fildes This article is about the term physician, one type of doctor; for other uses of the word doctor see Doctor. ... In the United States, Physician Assistants (PAs) are non-physicians 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. ...

Most 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 respected member of the allied health community, many more find 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. ... Main article: Secondary education High school is a name used in some parts of the world, and particularly in North America, to describe the last segment of compulsory education. ...

Scope of Practice

Although each 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.

Risk management is the process of measuring, or assessing, risk and developing strategies to manage it. ... The updated USDA food pyramid, published in 2005, is a general nutrition guide for recommended food consumption. ... Pathology (from Greek pathos, feeling, pain, suffering; and logos, study of; see also -ology) is the study of the processes underlying disease and other forms of illness, harmful abnormality, or dysfunction. ...

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. ... The following remedies are commonly used in homeopathic medicine today. ...

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 Trainer's Association (NATA). The NATA has grown to include over 30,000 members. 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Nickname: City of Fountains or Heart of America Location in Jackson, Clay, Platte, and Cass Counties in the state of Missouri. ...

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. 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday of the 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 75 hours of continuing education every 3 years. A bachelors degree (Artium Baccalaureus, A.B. or B.A.) is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three, four, or in some cases and countries, five or six years. ...

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

Accreditation of Athletic Training Education Programs is decided by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Athletic Training and reports to the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

Salary

Salaries vary greatly depending on the setting in which the athletic trainer works. Athletic trainers working in schools or colleges may earn salaries ranging from $25,000 to $65,000 plus. The range depends on the type and size of the school, the importance the administration puts on sports programs and teams, prestige, and location. Earnings are also based on the duties and responsibilities of the individual and his or her experience.

Athletic trainers working for professional teams may earn from $25,000 to $150,000. These salaries also 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) English (de facto) See also languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 268,581 sq mi (695,622 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