Athletic Trainer

Term Paper Title	Athletic Trainer
# of Words	819
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	3.28

Athletic Trainer

An athletic trainer seeking employment in today's job market is likely to
encounter many problems and obstacles along the way. The need for higher
education greatly affects the prospect for the athletic trainer with only the
baccaulereate degree. Those with this degree are better suited to seek
employment in the rehabilitative therapy clinic setting. Many of these clinics
have contracts with the local high schools or university thus allowing for more
employees and allowing these entry level positions. Clinics also tebd to employ
the student trainers who also have a tendency to move on after their education.
With third party payees coming more into this field there should be an increase
in the job availability for the athletic trainer in the clinical setting. There
are also many openings for trainers in the high school level. The down side to
this area of work is that this position is not generally based on the care and
concern for the health and well being of the student athlete but is contingent
on the budget aspect. The most dismal field for an athletic trainer seeking
employment is in the college level. Athletic trainers most certainly need
advanced degrees as well as certification of the National Athletic Trainers
Association. Most Athletic trainers in this level have accepted employment while
in college or attending that particular university. The college level for the
athletic trainer position has not increased over the past few years- due impart
to the hiring of the student trainers leaving no openings for the athletic
trainer who is seeking full time employment. Obviously there is a definite need
for advanced degrees in todays society, if one is seeking employment as an
athletic trainer due to the fact that there is a very limited job field and
openings are few and far between. In order to be fully prepared for the position
of athletic trainer in todays sports related society, the potential trainer
needs to obtain the minimum of a baccalaureate degree with a designated course
of study. They need to have studied thoroughly anatomy and physiology,
physiology of exercise, rehabilitation, kineseiology, psychology, injury
evaluation and also emergency care procedures and techniques. Before meeting the
requirements to become eligible to test for the National Athletic Trainers
Association (NATA) a potential trainer needs a minumum of 800 clinical hours of
experience or 1500 hours if not enrolled in an accredited athletic training
education program. The NATA also requires continuing education units for a
certified trainer to remain certified through them. The steps to obtaining a ...

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