Three different opportunities for field experience within Sports Medicine
Sports medicine includes many healthcare professionals focused on injury prevention and treatment among athletes and active people of all ages and abilities. Caring for an athlete requires a team effort from many individuals with a wide range of expertise and backgrounds.
With projected growth of 23% over the next five years, the field for athletic trainers is growing much faster than other fields. The Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that athletic trainers typically do the following:
- Apply protective or injury-preventive devices, such as tape, bandages, and braces
- Recognize and evaluate injuries
- Provide first aid or emergency care
- Develop and carry out rehabilitation programs for injured athletes
- Plan and implement comprehensive programs to prevent injury and illness among athletes
- Perform administrative tasks, such as keeping records and writing reports on injuries and treatment programs
Athletic trainers work with people of all ages and all skill levels, from young children to soldiers and professional athletes. Athletic trainers are usually one of the first healthcare providers on the scene when injuries occur on the field. They work under the direction of a licensed physician and with other healthcare providers, often discussing specific injuries and treatment options or evaluating and treating patients, as directed by a physician. Some athletic trainers meet with a team physician or consulting physician regularly.
An athletic trainer’s administrative responsibilities may include regular meetings with an athletic director or another administrative officer to deal with budgets, purchasing, policy implementation, and other business-related issues. Athletic trainers plan athletic programs that are compliant with federal and state regulations; for example, they may ensure a football program adheres to laws related to athlete concussions.
Athletic trainers should not be confused with fitness trainers and instructors, which include personal trainers.
What can I do in the sports medicine field?
With a degree from Carroll College and completion of the Pre-AT Pathway, students can focus on working in several sports medicine fields:
- Physicians in Sports Medicine
- Team Physician
- Orthopedic Surgeon
- Primary Care Physicians
- Allied Athlete Healthcare
- Physician Assistant
- Physical Therapist
- Certified Athletic Trainer
- Nutritionist
- Sports Psychologist
- Coach
- Indirect Care of Athletes
- Exercise Physiologist
- Biomechanical Engineer
- Epidemiologist
Field experience opportunities at Carroll College
Carroll College Health Sciences program in conjunction with the Pre-AT Pathway can offer three different opportunities for field experience within Sports Medicine.
- Internship for Credit: Junior or Senior status, internship for 1-6 credits
- Job shadowing for hours needed to apply for specific professional programs (AT, PT, PA, OT, etc.)
- Student Employment: Work/Study eligible or student wages.
Please contact Head Athletic Trainer Kris Ward (kward@carroll.edu) if you have any questions or are interested in these opportunities related to sports medicine and athletic training.
Learn more about the Carroll College Health Sciences program and apply today!