If you enjoy sports and athletics and helping athletes perform at their best, jobs in sports training may be for you. Sports trainers are considered allied health professionals, and their roles are ever expanding into new organizations, particularly those in the health care sector. Sports trainers must obtain at least their undergraduate degree before seeking employment. Many, however, go on to earn their master's or doctoral degree to expand their professional advancement opportunities.
Sports Teams
Sports training jobs for professional and collegiate teams are considered to be competitive positions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Sports trainers also work to support middle and high school teams. Sports trainers working for an athletic team attend practices, training sessions and games to prevent injuries and to respond to injuries should they occur. Team sports trainers often are responsible for keeping paperwork that reports what team members are on an injured or red-shirt list and for working with physicians to ensure rehabilitation after an injury is progressing smoothly. Team sports trainers have opportunities for advancement, including head trainer or director of the athletic training program.
Hospital/Clinical Jobs
Sports medicine clinics, rehabilitation clinics and hospitals employee sports trainers to provide support to physicians and physical therapists. Athletic trainers in a hospital setting may be called "physician extenders." Athletic trainers may be involved in presport physicals necessary for athletic participation. They also may perform evaluations and make treatment recommendations to on-duty physicians to keep patients healthy. Jobs in the hospital or clinical setting often require good communication skills, as therapists are required to communicate with hospital personnel and physicians on a regular basis.
Military Jobs
The military routinely employs athletic trainers to care for injuries incurred during training routines. Like athletes, military personnel must be in excellent shape. Sports trainers are considered civilian employees in the armed forces. Job titles include sports or recreational specialist, physiologist, rehabilitation therapy assistant or public health program specialist. Athletic trainers also can take on a teaching role in the military, educating others about physiology and injury prevention.
Performing Arts
Dancers, musicians and vocalists use their bodies in the performing arts profession and can be prone to injuries. A dance company, theater or performing arts organization may employ an athletic trainer to assist in injury prevention or to create rehabilitative programs for performers who have incurred an injury. This athletic training job may be part- or full-time depending upon the size of the employing organization.
Member Comments