Athletic trainer Totally Explained

Everything about Athletic Trainer totally explained

An athletic trainer is a certified, health care professional who practices in the field of athletic training. Athletic training has been recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as an allied healthcare profession since 1990. Definition: As defined by the Strategic Implementation Team of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) in August 2007:

Certification

Certified Athletic Trainers meet a detailed set of qualifications in order to be eligible for certification. In some states and jurisdictions, the term "athletic trainer" isn't regulated, and persons not certified by the Board of Certification

(BOC) use the title athletic trainer. However, certified athletic trainers, sometimes referred to as ATCs, meet or exceed the minimum standards established by the BOC. The Board of Certification is an independent body, itself accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies

(NCCA), the accreditation arm of the National Organization for Competency Assurance

(NOCA).
The minimum qualifications for certification include:

Completion of a baccalaureate or degree, in an accredited athletic education program
Completion of a minimum 800 hours of clinical internship under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer
Documentation of current ECC certification for healthcare workers (for example CPR)
Passage of the BOC Certification Exam
All ATCs must participate in continuing education, with documentation of said education required on an ongoing basis

While a baccalaureate degree is the minimum standard, over 70% of ATCs possess a masters degree or higher.
Accredited athletic training education programs are overseen by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education

(CAATE). Currently there are 357

accredited, entry-level athletic training education programs.

Registration and Licensure

The practice and oversight of athletic training varies by state, as each states holds authority to pass and enforce state statutes recognizing athletic trainers as "health care professionals similar to physical therapists, occupational therapists and other health care professionals. Athletic training licensure/regulation exists in 44 states." Local and national organizations currently pursue licensure in the remaining states. Athletic trainers in all locales practice under the direction of licensed physicians.

Athletic Training Practice Domains

The field of athletic training has been divided into 6 distinct domains. They are:

1. Prevention
2. Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis
3. Immediate Care
4. Treatment, Rehabilitation and Reconditioning
5. Organization and Administration
6. Professional Responsibility

Athletic Training Educational Programs

CAATE oversees the curriculum standards of all accredited member institutions. The standards dictate the content of both didactic and clinical practice portions of the educational program. Content areas include:

Risk Management and Injury Prevention

Pathology of Injuries and Illnesses

Orthopedic Clinical Examination and Diagnosis

Medical Conditions and Disabilities

Acute Care of Injuries and Illnesses

Therapeutic Modalities

Conditioning and Rehabilitative Exercises

Pharmacology

Psychosocial Intervention and Referral

Nutritional Aspects of Injuries and Illnesses

Healthcare Administration

Professional Development and Responsibility

Treatment Population and Settings

Athletic Trainers treat a broad population, from the amateur and professional athlete to the typical patient in need of orthopaedic rehabilitative care. The NATA describes typical clients groups as,

• Recreational, amateur and professional athletes
• Individuals who have suffered musculoskeletal injuries
• Those seeking strength, conditioning, fitness and performance enhancement
• Others designated by the physician.

Services rendered by the athletic trainer take place in a wide variety of settings and venues. These may include,

• Athletic training facilities
• Schools (K-12, colleges, universities)
• Clinics
• Hospitals
• Physician offices
• Community facilities
• Workplaces (commercial and government)
• Military installations and veteran medical facilities
• Professional sport organizations

Emerging settings for athletic training include surgical fellowship opportunities. Two of these pioneering programs have been established at Emory Sports Medicine Center

at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and at the Steadman-Hawkins clinic

in Vail, Colorado.

Athletic Training and the Mitchell Report

Numerous media reports have referred to Brian McNamee, a figure central to the allegations of doping with the Mitchell Report, as a "trainer" or "sports trainer." Many may confuse this reference as to believe that Mr. McNamee is an athletic trainer.
According to the NATA, and the independent Board of Certification, Mr. McNamee is not, nor has ever been, a certified athletic trainer. To date, no certified athletic trainer has been implicated in any involvement in the doping issues associated with the Mitchell Report, nor with the individuals cited it its contents.
The NATA has issued a position statement

that clearly indicates opposition to doping and the illicit use of performance enhancement products.

Further Information

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