Athletic+Trainer

Jonathan Wechter, Athletic Trainer

Physical Therapists - Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and decrease or prevent deformity of patients suffering from disease or injury. Recreational Therapists - Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and arts and crafts. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity. Respiratory Therapists - Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses - Care for ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled persons in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required. Orthotists and Prosthetists - Assist patients with disabling conditions of limbs and spine or with partial or total absence of limb by fitting and preparing orthopedic braces or prostheses. Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers - Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine post-operative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists.
 * My job as an athletic trainer is to evaluate, advise, and treat athletes to assist recovery from injury, avoid injury, or maintain peak physical fitness.
 * My interests are almost every sport and staying active and in shape, I would like all my athletes to be like this so i keep them on the field or court as much as possible and evaluate them on how to get their injury healthy.
 * There are certain tasks i must follow,conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness to provide emergency or continued care, and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment. Care for athletic injuries using physical therapy equipment, techniques, and medication. Evaluate athletes' readiness to play, and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted. Apply protective or injury preventive devices such as tape, bandages, or braces to body parts such as ankles, fingers, or wrists. Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches and physicians. Collaborate with physicians to develop and implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs for athletic injuries. Advise athletes on the proper use of equipment. Plan and implement comprehensive athletic injury and illness prevention programs. Develop training programs and routines designed to improve athletic performance. Travel with athletic teams to be available at sporting events. Instruct coaches, athletes, parents, medical personnel, and community members in the care and prevention of athletic injuries.
 * Skills an Athletic trainer must have is active listening, time management, reading comprehension, critical thinking, instructing, coordination and speaking.
 * Athletic trainers must have knowledge of medicine and dentistry, customer and personal service, therapy and counseling, clerical, biology, psychology, administration and management.
 * Education- A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
 * Training- short and long-term programs associated with Athletic Trainers, and may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.
 * Wages- In New York the average wage is 26,780 for entry level workers, and $49,710 for experienced workers.
 * Job Outlook- Based on the total number of annual openings and its growth rate, the employment prospects for this occupation are described as very favorable. During 2006, there were approximately 670 Athletic Trainers employed in NY. We estimate that in 2016 there will be 810 employed in NY. This represents an increase of 10 job(s) each year, and a total of 10 job openings each year.
 * Related Job-