how to become an athletic trainer for high school

They coordinate and lead different therapy programs that involve recreational activities meant to improve their patients' overall well-being. A master's degree is also common. Our growing campus in the sun-drenched desert southwest. You'll likely need to obtain licensure because 47 states require it. With all the perks and benefits of a membership with NATA, whether you are a student or athletic trainer, you can't afford to miss out! Organizational, leadership, interpersonal, financial, computer. We also have two field trips to a local university and to one of the many professional sports teams in the area. Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training and the state's statutes, rules and regulations. According to the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), 70% of athletic trainers have a master's degree. Athletic trainers cover practice sessions and home and away competitions, supervise the educational experiences of athletic training students, and may teach athletic training education classes. Specifically, the BLS expects employment of athletic trainers to increase by 23% between 2020 and 2030. The apprenticeship must offer work experience in a variety of sports. I have had this program for 12 years, and each year it grows and becomes more popular. Yes Serving more than 60 communities in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. to implement training programs at scale, How Kathy Wagner gets a 100% pass rate for candidates on the SCCC Exam, When To Effectively Utilize Dynamic Stretches, Dan Newman has been a difference-maker in athletic training for more than 20 years, Heather Arabitgs love for the profession shines through her commitment, Put out flyers to see who may be interested. An apprenticeship program must meet the following requirements: Additionally, you currently hold a baccalaureate degree or post-baccalaureate degree, which includes a minimum of 24 hours of combined academic credit with at least one class in each of the following course areas: Note: Applicants who are within 30 hours of being awarded a degree are eligible to take the licensing exam, however the degree must be conferred to obtain a license. National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Required Skills. What Are My Career Options in Illustration? They may work evenings and weekends and may travel frequently if they work for sports teams. We recommend students ready to pursue a degree in athletic training consider a few key questions prior to applying to athletic training programs. Those who want to become an athletic trainer (AT) have to earn an athletic training degree from an entry-level athletic training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and pass the Board of Certification (BOC) examination. Top Schools for Healthcare Administration Degrees in Albuquerque. It may be helpful to do a mock interview or to research the faculty where you will be interviewed. Step #1 - Complete High School or get a GED You will need to have a high school education to become an athletic trainer. Are Virtual Competitions the Future of College Sports? If you can, get on a teachers contract and create a class for the students to take as an elective. well-suited to become an athletic trainer or another similar career! What are the necessary prerequisite courses needed for admission and what are program policies on meeting these requirements? Participate in hands-on clinical education under the direct supervision of an experienced athletic trainer. The typical duties of an athletic trainer include: Diagnosing and treating injuries to the muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. The NCAA has data illustrating that the odds of receiving an athletic scholarship or moving on to play a professional sport are challenging. While programs have to meet the same CAATE accreditation requirements, there can still be substantial variation across programs in these areas. Do you like exercising or participating in a physical activity to get in shape? She is a past president of the College Athletic Trainers' Society and was honored with an NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award in 2010. Access to Health Care Athletic trainers in the high school setting are often one of the few, if only, points of access to qualified health care for many student athletes. You may also provide physical therapy, massage, and medication to help relieve muscle pain and irritation. Third, determine how your selected programs want you to submit an application. They often follow up with injured students and develop rehabilitation programs to help speed up recovery. Hospital emergency rooms and rehabilitation clinics, Secondary and intermediate medical schools, The performing arts, such as professional dancing. I provide shirts for the students and, if they are licensed, they get a kick out of driving the Gator. How to Become an Athletic Trainer in 5 Steps. High school is a good time to begin preparing for an athletic training career, so take advantage of the opportunities or look for ways to create the opportunities to take the right steps in becoming an athletic trainer. Since 2003, the three fastest rising areas for athletic trainers are in youth sports (up 41% to $46,296), professional sports (up 31% to $50,515) and high schools (up 16% to $42,442). For example, a high school senior may earn an undergraduate degree along with their masters degree in athletic training in 5 years in accelerated programs often called 3+2 programs. Those who decide to attend a community college may still be able to qualify for that accelerated route (i.e., 2+1+2 program) if their community college has a matriculation agreement with a specific university with an athletic training program. The demand for athletic trainers across all practice settings is increasing, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the athletic training profession will grow 21% by 20221. The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually Participate in hands-on extracurricular experiences. Apprenticeship hours must be completed in college or university intercollegiate sports programs. The position of an athletic trainer is often confused with the position of a personal trainer. A temporary license may be issued to an individual who meets the requirements for a regular license (including a conferred degree). If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. What are the most important aspects of being a trainer? As a part of the health care team, services provided by athletic . The exam covers clinical evaluation and diagnosis; treatment and rehabilitation; and emergency care. Finally, it's important to note that athletic trainers are not the same as fitness trainers, who do not focus on injury prevention and treatment but rather assist others in attaining their fitness goals. For more information about Athletic Trainers, contact customer service. Diagnostic Sonography and Ultrasound Technology, Radiographer Technology and Radiologic Science, Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician. In fact, the BLS also reports that in some states there is a major push to have athletic trainers in all high schools. See the board rule at Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, 110.23(m) for details. Its incredibly rewarding, keeps me current and helps to develop our future. Athletic training education typically includes earning a bachelor's degree and receiving certifications from one or more professional athletic trainer certification boards. Certification Optional. High School and former Director of Sports Medicine at Boston University. In the table below you'll find pertinent details about this career. High school athletes or sport fans interested in a career in sports should consider athletic training. Empathy and Compassion. How Can I Become a High School Athletic Trainer. Fax: (512) 463-9468 1,500 hours of the apprenticeship must be fulfilled while enrolled as a student at a college or university. As an athletic trainer, you will also focus on rehabilitating an athlete after they have sustained an injury, sometimes over a period of months or years. I only allow 10th, 11th, 12th graders to enroll. If youre new here, you Normally, the Southwest's monsoon season kicks in around mid-June with rain and clouds. Our Online Master's in Education is a part-time, two-year, online program in education leadership. Minimum of a bachelors degree (most employers at the collegiate and professional levels want a masters degree). They may work with patients of all ages and varying skill levels. The most important aspects are passing the BOC, having good communication skills, and being able to work with others. They provide further study in exercise and sports medicine, exercise physiology, and advanced athletic training. Becoming an athletic trainer can help former athletes remain involved in sports in a hands-on manner, including helping amateur and professional athletes avoid injury and enhancing their overall competitive success. There is tremendous opportunity for job growth in the secondary school setting as NATA advocates for the gold standard of at least one full time athletic trainer in each secondary school. Many athletic trainer programs and exercise physiology programs are accredited by CAATE. They learn a lot of skills besides the athletic training lessons and go on to successful careers. discover careers you havent thought of before. There are many aspects to consider when determining which program is the best for you; program design, location, total program costs, faculty expertise, student-to-instructor ratios, clinical experience options, graduation rates, and BOC examination pass rates are a few of the factors that you may want to consider. Expert Interview. Many successful athletic trainers are drawn to the field . To become an athletic trainer, you must obtain educational degrees and acquire certification from an accredited athletic training institute in your state or country. Many of my students are on the National Honor Society. What are Popular East Coast Universities? Step 2: High School Step 3: Bachelor's Degree Step 4: Experience Step 5: Certification and Licensure Step 6: Master's Degree Step 1 Is becoming an athletic trainer right for me? Typically, to become an athletic trainer, you must earn a bachelor's degree, which usually takes four years to complete. In addition to sports teams, companies hire athletic trainers as a medical service to employers and their employees. A third step would be to create a plan for continued professional development because your education doesnt stop when you graduate. When hiring athletic trainers, employers often look for candidates who are compassionate and detail-oriented and have strong decision-making and interpersonal skills. Athletic trainers may even assist offices with ergonomics or preventing workplace injuries.