About

Athletic Trainers are healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients across the age and care continuum. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. ATs work under the direction of physicians, as prescribed by state licensure statutes. ATs are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals, and are under the allied health professions category as defined by Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Athletic trainers are assigned National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers, and the taxonomy code for athletic trainers is 2255A2300X. Athletic trainers are listed in the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the “professional and related occupations” section. They are mid-level health care professionals.

Depending on your business and end goals, hiring an AT can have a huge return on investment, both fiscally and in quality.

Reducing Lost Workdays after Work-Related Injuries

Effect on Patient Throughput and Revenue Generation in a Primary Care Sports Medicine Practice

Pediatricians Confirm Enormous Value of Athletic Trainers at High Schools

The NATA Career Center is simple and easy to use.  Because NATA represents the most qualified industry professionals, our resume database gives you access to the best possible job seekers so you can find your next employee without leaving your desk!  You can set the criteria for your ideal job candidate, and this system will email you when new resumes are a match.  No more time wasted visiting the site every day to see new candidates.  Your online account will include reports showing you the number of individuals who have viewed your job, applied online, and even how many times your job was sent out in a “job agent” or “emailed to a friend.” You’ll be able to see at a glance just how effective your ad is!  Online job posting information – Now you can manage your job postings online, any time. Add, edit and delete company postings right from your desk, or even copy an expired or deleted ad for increased time savings.

http://www.nata.org/career-center

The NATA Career Center is a free and confidential site available for NATA members to post resumes.  Make your resume available to employers in the industry, confidentially if you choose.  You will have access to individual jobs and can quickly and easily find relevant industry job listings and sign up for automatic email notification of new jobs that match your criteria.  Job listings on the NATA Career Center provide a broad range of opportunities for individual NATA members.   You can also save up to 100 jobs to a folder in your account so you can come back to apply when you are ready.

http://www.nata.org/career-center

The projected rate of change in employment for the 10-year timeframe between 2010 and 2020 for athletic trainers is 30%. The average growth rate for all occupations is 14 percent.

Arkansas:  You can search a roster by visiting http://www.aratb.org/search.php

Texas:  You can access a live search or browse a roster by visiting http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/at/at_search.shtm

You can go through a simple process called a Basic Online Verification to verify one’s credential.  However, if you are requiring an official verification, you may choose an official written verification or official electronic verification.  All three of these options are available by visiting  http://www.bocatc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=185

National certification is the credential of certification granted by the Board of Certification (BOC). State licensure is granted by an individual state.

To become a BOC-certified athletic trainer (AT), you must earn a degree from a college or university with an accredited athletic training program, then, depending on your state regulation, take and pass the exam administered by the Board of Certification (BOC).  If you do not have a Bachelor’s Degree, go to http://www.caate.net/ and leave State field blank, select Undergraduate in the Program Type area and then click submit to see the listing of all undergraduate level programs.  If you do have a Bachelor’s Degree you can get a second bachelor’s from one of the schools mentioned above or you can get a Master’s in athletic training from a university with an accredited entry level Master’s program.  There are fewer than 20 of these.  For a list of schools with accredited entry-level Master’s programs, go to  http://www.caate.net/ and click on Accredited Programs.  Leave State field blank, select Entry Level Master’s in the Program Type area and click submit to see the listing of all entry level Master’s programs

http://www.nata.org/get-certified

http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/AT-EducationOverview.pdf

http://www.nata.org/get-certified

To Become a State Licensed Athletic Trainer:

Arkansas:  An applicant for an Arkansas athletic trainer’s license must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, meet other curriculum and internship requirements as specified by the Arkansas State Board of Athletic Training, pass the examinations administered by the Board of Certification and submit appropriate application forms and fees to the Board.  Notarized proof of employment, performance of duties, and supervision is required as part of the application process.

Texas:   Licensed athletic trainers must hold a college degree, meet the coursework and apprenticeship requirements set out in the board’s rules, complete the application process, and successfully complete the Texas Athletic Trainer Written and Practical Examinations.  If an applicant has successfully completed the examination administered by the Board of Certification on or after January 1, 2004, the applicant shall not be required to complete the state licensure examination, unless the applicant has previously held a license issued by the board.

The Practice Standards establish essential practice expectations for all Athletic Trainers.  Compliance with the Standards is mandatory.  The Standards are intended to:  assist the public in understanding what to expect from an Athletic Trainer; assist the Athletic Trainer in evaluating the quality of patient care; and assist the Athletic Trainer in understanding the duties and obligations imposed by virtue of holding the ATC® credential.  The Standards are NOT intended to:  prescribe services; provide step-by-step procedures; or ensure specific patient outcomes.  http://www.bocatc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=111

Athletic Trainers can be found in many settings.  Although most athletic trainers work at secondary schools, colleges & universities and professional sports teams, athletic trainers are also employed by physician’s offices and hospitals, the military, performing arts and many other settings.   

http://www.nata.org/athletic-training/job-settings

Information on Specific Settings:

College and Universities

http://www.nata.org/athletic-training/job-settings/colleges-universities-setting

Secondary Schools

http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/unsung-heroes.pd

http://www.nata.org/athletic-training/job-settings/secondary-schools-setting

Industry

http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/athletic-trainers-get-results-occupational-athletes.pdf

http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/professional-diversity.pdf

Professional Sports

http://www.nata.org/athletic-training/job-settings/professional-sports-setting

Hospitals, Clinics & Physician Offices

http://www.nata.org/athletic-training/job-settings/clinical-setting

http://www.nata.org/athletic-training/job-settings/physician-extender-setting

http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/using-certified-athletic-trainers-as-physician-extenders.pdf

http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/PE%20profiles.pdf

Military

http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/become-civilian-employee-us-armed-forces.pdf

http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/Military-Athletic-Business.pdf

http://www.nata.org/athletic-training/job-settings/military-setting

Performing Arts

http://www.nata.org/athletic-training/job-settings/performing-arts-setting

Public Safety

http://www.nata.org/athletic-training/job-settings/public-safety-setting