It’s March, which means it is National Athletic Training Month-a time when ATs around the country and world self promote our beloved profession. Each year there is a theme, 2020s theme is Healthcare through Action. Well….since there is no Bulldog action, Mr. Erickson and I decided I would write some blogs about a variety of topics in relation to athletic training. I thought I would start with “What is an Athletic Trainer?”
Athletic Trainers are healthcare professionals who render services or treatment under direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education and training and state statutes, rules, and regulations. As part of the healthcare team, services provided by Athletic Trainers (ATs) include injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergency care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic Training is recognized as a healthcare profession by the American Medical Association.
So what that means-Certified Athletic Trainers have attended an accredited program completing a Bachelors of Science degree (it is becoming a Master’s level program starting in the fall 2020) This includes many hours of hands on internships with a variety of sports, and levels. The course load includes Anatomy and Physiology, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Injury Evaluations, Therapeutic Rehabilitation and Modalities. At the conclusion of the educational program students sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam, and once passed they can officially call themselves a Certified Athletic Trainer. In Massachusetts, ATs are also required to maintain licensure through the Board of Allied Health. We complete 50 hours of continuing education every 2 years, 10 of which have to be Evidence Based Practice to maintain certification, as well as maintain CPR certification.
Athletic Trainers work in a variety of settings:
- Secondary Schools
- College/Universities
- Professional Sports
- Hospital Systems
- Physical Therapy Clinics
- Sports Medicine Clinics
- Occupational Settings
- Government/Military/Law Enforcement
- Physician Offices
- Dance and Fine Arts
For me personally, I went into Athletic Training because I loved the idea of combining my love of sports and medicine. I could never imagine sitting in an office or building all day. 16 years later-still a perfect fit
I will be trying to put together a lot of these over the coming days-so if you have things you would like to see covered (specific injuries, questions/answers, rehabs) please reach out to me: sasonoffk@cantonma.org
Looking forward to spreading some knowledge from my couch. Stay healthy and socially distanced so we can get to the things we love sooner rather than later.
Kristen
