National Athletic Training Month

Your Protection is Our Priority

National Athletic Training Month is held every March in order to spread awareness about the important work of athletic trainers.

Athletic trainers (ATs) are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians in prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses.  Academic curriculum and clinical training for athletic training students follows the medical model. Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited baccalaureate or master’s program; over 70 percent of ATs have a master’s degree.  Once certified, ATs must maintain their clinical education by completing 50 hours of continuing education over a two year term.  Having ATs that are on the forefront of cutting edge treatment give student-athletes the best opportunity to recover and return to their sport as quickly and safely as possible following an injury.

• ATs provide medical services and an unparalleled continuum of care to all types of patients, not just athletes participating in sports.
• Athletic trainers are the most qualified professional to provide daily care for student athletes; they are also the most capable person to organize and direct an athletic health care.
• ATs are in demand for their knowledge and skills in prevention and rehabilitation, as well as their proven cost savings, clinical efficiencies and positive return on investment.
• ATs specialize in patient education to prevent injury and re-injury.
• ATs are trained to prevent and address health issues (such as nutrition, concussion/brain injury and cardiac events) that impact athletes’ performance. 

Athletic Trainers Work In:

• Public and private secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional and Olympic sports
• Youth leagues, municipal and independently owned youth sports facilities
• Physician practice, similar to nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists and other professional clinical personnel
• Rural and urban hospitals, hospital emergency rooms, urgent and ambulatory care centers
• Clinics with specialties in sports medicine, cardiac rehab, medical fitness, wellness and physical therapy
• Occupational health departments in commercial settings, which include manufacturing, distribution and offices to assist with ergonomics
• Police and fire departments and academies, municipal departments, branches of the military
• Performing arts including professional and collegiate level dance and music