Occupational Outlook Handbook 2014-2015

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• Publisher: Skyhorse
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9781628738117
• eBook ISBN: 9781629141046
• Topic: Personal Development
• Subtopic: Government & Business

Written by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Occupational Outlook Handbook 2014–2015 is designed to provide valuable, up-to-date assistance to individuals making decisions about their futures. Accompanying each profession are descriptions of the nature of the work, work environment, and the required qualifications, training, and education, as well as job earnings, related occupations. The book includes details on more than 250 occupations—that's 90 percent of the jobs available in the United States. It also includes job search methods and job outlook. Keep up in the scramble to stay afloat in the waning job market by staying informed as you plan your training and career.

Healthcare

Athletic Trainers and Exercise Physiologists

Summary

Both athletic trainers and exercise physiologists can use various forms of physical activity to help patients overcome injuries or chronic health conditions.

Quick Facts: Athletic Trainers and Exercise Physiologists
2012 Median Pay	$42,690 per year $20.52 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2012	28,900
Job Outlook, 2012-22	19% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2012-22	5,400

What Athletic Trainers and Exercise Physiologists Do

Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients recover from chronic diseases and improve cardiovascular function, body composition, and flexibility.

Work Environment

Many athletic trainers work in educational settings, such as colleges or universities. Others work in physicians’ offices or for professional sports teams. Exercise physiologists work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and university laboratories.

How to Become an Athletic Trainer or Exercise Physiologist

Athletic trainers and exercise physiologists need at least a bachelor’s degree. In most states, athletic trainers need a license or certification; requirements vary by state.

Pay

In May 2012, the median annual wage for athletic trainers was $42,090. The median annual wage for exercise physiologists was $44,770 in May 2012.

Job Outlook

Employment of athletic trainers and exercise physiologists is projected to grow 19 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. As people become more aware of sports-related injuries at a young age, demand for athletic trainers is expected to increase, most significantly in colleges, universities, and youth leagues.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of athletic trainers and exercise physiologists with similar occupations.

More Information. Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about athletic trainers and exercise physiologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Athletic Trainers and Exercise Physiologists Do

Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients recover from chronic diseases and improve cardiovascular function, body composition, and flexibility.

Duties

Athletic trainers (ATs) 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

Exercise physiologists (EPs) typically do the following:

• Analyze a patient’s medical history to determine the best possible exercise and fitness regimen

• Perform fitness tests with medical equipment and analyze the subsequent patient data

• Measure body fat, blood pressure, oxygen usage, and other key patient health indicators

• Develop exercise programs to improve patient health

• Supervise clinical tests to ensure patient safety

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. They work under the direction of a licensed physician and with other healthcare providers, and often discuss specific injuries and treatment options or evaluate and treat 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 other administrative officer to deal with budgets, purchasing, policy implementation, and other business-related issues.

Exercise physiologists work to improve overall patient health, and many of their patients suffer from health problems such as cardiovascular disease, or are obese. Exercise physiologists provide health education and exercise plans to improve key health indicators. Some physiologists work closely with primary physicians.

Athletic trainers and exercise physiologists should not be confused with fitness trainers and instructors. including personal trainers.

Work Environment

Athletic trainers held about 22,900 jobs in 2012. Exercise physiologists held about 6,000 jobs in 2012.

Many athletic trainers work in educational facilities, such as secondary schools or colleges. Others may work in physicians’ offices or for professional sports teams. Some athletic trainers work in rehabilitation and therapy clinics, in the military, or with performing artists. They may spend their time working outdoors on sports fields, and in all types of weather.

The industries that employed the most athletic trainers in 2012 were as follows:

Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private	25%
Offices of other health practitioners	15
Hospitals; state, local, and private	13
Fitness and recreational sports centers	13

Exercise physiologists work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and nursing and residential care facilities.

The industries that employed the most exercise physiologists in 2012 were as follows:

General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private	53%
Ambulatory health care services	21
Specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals; state, local, and private	6
Nursing and residential care facilities	4

Work Schedules

Most athletic trainers and exercise physiologists work full time. Athletic trainers who work with teams during sporting events may work evenings or weekends and travel often. About 2 in 5 exercise physiologists worked part time.

How to Become an Athletic Trainer or Exercise Physiologist

Athletic trainers and exercise physiologists need at least a bachelor’s degree. In most states, athletic trainers need a license or certification; requirements vary by state.

Education

Athletic trainers and exercise physiologists need at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Master’s degree programs are also common. Both degree programs have classroom and clinical components, including science and health-related courses, such as biology, anatomy, physiology, and nutrition.

The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) accredits athletic director programs, as well as post-professional and residency athletic trainer programs.

The Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences accredits exercise physiology programs.

High school students interested in postsecondary athletic training or exercise physiology programs should take courses in anatomy, physiology, and physics.

Important Qualities

Compassion. Athletic trainers and exerc...

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