Where ATs Work
Athletic trainers provide health care in many settings, from clinics and hospitals to performing arts and even aeronautics.
Most people have seen an athletic trainer run across the field to assess an injury during a high school, college or professional sports game. But athletic trainers work with a variety of patient populations in a numerous settings.
Most athletic trainers around the country work in a high school setting. Regardless of where they are employed, ATs practice according to their medical model education, scope of practice and state practice act.
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 and private practices,
- Rural and urban hospitals; hospital emergency rooms; urgent and ambulatory care centers
- Performing arts, including professional- and collegiate-level dance and music
- Clinics with specialties in sports medicine, cardiac rehabilitation, medical fitness, wellness and physical therapy
- Occupational health departments in commercial settings, which include manufacturing, distribution centers and offices to assist with ergonomics
- Police and fire departments, academies, municipal departments and branches of the military
Other Resources About Where ATs Work:
Armed Forces
Within the armed forces, ATs work in entry level and basic training; military schools and universities; ranger and special forces units; treatment facilities; research and administration.
Colleges and Universities
ATs provide health care services in colleges and universities around the world for elite athletic programs as well as intramural, club and recreational teams.
Hospitals and Clinics
ATs work in a variety of specialties, including orthopedics, sports medicine, primary care, rheumatology, oncology, trauma and cardiology.
Performing Arts
ATs provide health care to school arts departments, which can include dance, theatre, marching band, instrumental music, vocal music and film. They also can be employed with entertainment teams, theatre production and music tours, dance companies and wrestling teams. ATs also work with affiliated staff at theme parks, rodeos, drum corps and circus arts.
Public Safety
Within public safety, ATs work with numerous agencies at the local, state and federal levels, including fire, rescue, law enforcement and correctional officers.
Occupational Health
ATs in the occupational health setting work in manufacturing plants, automotive and airplane assembly plants; distribution centers and warehouses; tire manufacturing plants; processing facilities; and oil rigs.
Schools
ATs work in public and private K-12, middle schools, high schools and charter schools around the country. ATs help reduce risk and improve wellness for students, staff, parents and other community members.
Professional Sports
ATs work with professional teams and Olympic athletes.
Hire an Athletic Trainer
Athletic trainers are unique health care providers who provide a full continuum of medical care for a variety of patients. If you are looking to reduce risk, enhance performance and wellness and improve your bottom line, consider adding an athletic trainer to your health care team.