Athletic Trainers are healthcare professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education and training and the states' statutes, rules and regulations. As a part of the healthcare team, services provided by ATs include injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.
Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum. Admission into the professional phase of the program is competitive with a maximum of 18 admitted per year.
Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as:
- injury/illness prevention
- advanced first aid and emergency care
- assessment of injury/illness
- human anatomy and physiology
- therapeutic modalities
- therapeutic rehabilitation
- sports nutrition
- psychosocial aspects of sport
- administration
- general medical conditions