By now you’ve heard the news that athletic training jobs are expected to grow much faster than other careers, according to the national job outlook. This is why it’s likely that you’re considering this profession as a career choice. And for good reason. There are plenty of athletic training jobs in all kinds of settings and industries. From medical centers and doctors’ offices, to schools, camps and college sports programs — there’s an opportunity for athletic trainers in most every type of setting that involves human beings, and lots of them.
With an athletic training degree, you can expect to have a lot of options in the job market.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common jobs that graduates with athletic training degrees can pursue.
Athletic Training
One of the first things people think of when they hear “athletic training” is working with professional athletes and teams. While there are certainly opportunities for this type of work, it’s not the only thing you can do with an athletic training degree—and it’s not even always the best option.
You can also get a job as an athletic trainer at a high school or college, where you’ll be responsible for caring for athletes from multiple sports who need help recovering from injuries or preparing for their next game/match. You’ll work one-on-one with students who are dealing with injuries or illnesses and help them return to play as soon as possible.
Physical Therapy Assistant
Another common job title for those who have earned a degree in athletic training is physical therapy assistant (PTA). PTAs work alongside physical therapists and can perform many of the same duties: assessing patients’ conditions; preparing them for physical therapy sessions; monitoring their progress throughout treatment; and communicating effectively with both patients and
What jobs can you get with an athletic training degree
Introduction
If you are considering earning an athletic training degree, you may be wondering what types of careers you will be able to pursue. Athletic trainers are much more than just people who work with athletes; they have the skills to treat a variety of medical ailments in patients of all ages and fitness levels. As a result, there is no shortage of career paths open to graduates from this field. Here are some examples:
Athletic trainer
The most important thing you need to know about athletic trainers is that they are highly trained professionals who work in the medical field. Athletic trainers are also known as physical therapists, sports medicine specialists and orthopedic technicians. Their job is to help athletes prevent injuries and recover from them when they do happen. Athletic trainers use their knowledge of biology, kinesiology (the study of movement) and psychology to assess an athlete’s fitness level so they can recommend proper exercise routines or rehabilitation exercises.
In addition to helping injured athletes get back into shape after injury, many athletic trainers work with healthy athletes on a daily basis at high schools or colleges where they teach them proper techniques for preventing injuries while playing sports such as football or basketball. Some even have their own clinics where they offer injury prevention services for people who aren’t professional athletes but still want to make sure their bodies stay strong during exercise routines at home like running or biking
Physical therapist
A physical therapist works with patients to improve their movement and function. As a physical therapist, you’ll be responsible for helping your patients recover from injuries, preventing future injuries and surgeries, or correcting any issues that may be holding them back in their daily lives.
Physical therapists work at hospitals and other medical facilities as part of the rehab team; they also work with athletes to prevent injuries during training sessions.
Occupational therapist
The field of occupational therapy is a great fit for those who enjoy helping people achieve their maximum level of independence. As an occupational therapist, you’ll work with individuals and clients in your community to develop skills that allow them to perform everyday tasks independently. This can include improving fine motor skills or teaching someone how to use adaptive equipment like a wheelchair or crutches.
Occupational therapists must complete a master’s degree program from an accredited university before they can become certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). NBCOT certification is required by all states except for Louisiana, Maine, Michigan and Mississippi.
To prepare yourself for this career path it’s important to develop your critical thinking skills and learn about how the human body works so that you’re able to assist people in overcoming physical limitations caused by injury or illness.
Coach (sports)
Coaches are a very popular career choice for athletic trainers because coaches are responsible for the physical and mental well-being of their team. In addition to this, they are also responsible for the development of their players. They may be involved in training exercises, making sure everyone stays healthy, or even recruiting new talent.
If you enjoy working with people, this could be a great job option for you!
Coach (fitness)
If you want to be a coach, you’ll likely work with people on their fitness goals. You may also develop programs and train nutritionists to help clients reach their goals. You could work with the elderly, or at a gym or health club.
If you’re interested in becoming a personal trainer, there are two paths: becoming certified and working for yourself as an independent contractor; or getting hired by a facility like this one!
Sports medicine physician assistant
A physician assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional who has completed medical school and earned a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). They can diagnose and treat patients, as well as order diagnostic tests, prescribe medications and perform surgeries under the supervision of a doctor.
Athletic training is an important part of sports medicine because it allows PAs to monitor players’ health and prevent them from getting injured. Sports medicine PAs work with other healthcare professionals like athletic trainers and doctors to provide care for athletes before, during, and after games or workouts. They may also help with research projects about how exercise affects human bodies so that more effective treatments can be developed for future athletes.
The path toward becoming an athletic training PA involves completing an undergraduate degree in college before applying to graduate programs that offer certification programs leading up to licensure after graduation; some schools also require that students pass their national board exams prior completion
Physical therapy aide
As the name suggests, a physical therapy aide is someone who provides assistance to a physical therapist. The position can vary depending on the facility but typically involves helping with patient care and monitoring patients’ progress as they go through rehabilitation exercises. In addition to assisting with patient care, aides may also perform some administrative duties such as paperwork filing and stocking rooms.
Physical therapy aides are trained on-the-job by their employer after completing an accredited program that lasts about one year. Because it’s not always easy for people to find jobs in this field without experience, many employers offer internships where employees are able to get hands-on experience before committing to working at the facility full time.
Physician extender
A physician extender is a licensed professional who works under the supervision of a physician. They provide health care services to patients and their families, including:
- Patient treatment, like medication management and physical therapy
- Health education and support for patients with chronic illnesses
As a physician extender, you’ll help your coworkers deliver quality patient care by providing services at an intermediate level of practice. This could mean running tests or ordering diagnostic imaging studies to determine if further testing is needed; treating acute injuries such as sprains or fractures; or managing chronic conditions such as diabetes. You’ll also be responsible for educating patients on how to properly manage their own medical conditions after they’ve been discharged from the hospital or clinic.
There are a variety of jobs you can get with an athletic training degree.
There are a variety of jobs you can get with an athletic training degree. The following list will help you decide if this career path is right for you:
- Athletic trainer
- Exercise physiologist
- Personal trainer
Conclusion
In today’s changing economy, it is important to consider all of your options when planning for the future. An athletic training degree can lead to a wide range of different jobs if you are willing to be flexible with your career path and take advantage of the opportunities that arise throughout.
