Sports Med Careers
physical therapy assistant
An individual who has earned a 2-year associate's degree and is involved in clinical tasks, such as patient care and recording treatments, under the direct supervision of a physical therapist.
NATA
National Athletic Trainers Association
BOC (Board of Certification)
Responsible for certification of athletic trainers
Sports Medicine
The branch of health care that deals with evaluating athletes and preventing and treating injuries
orthopedic surgeon
a health care professional who practices the branch of medicine dealing with the musculoskeletal system
paramedic
a health care professional whose primary role is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system .
physical fitness program
a method of exercise designed to prepare an individual to become physically able to do the activities he or she wishes to do in daily life, without causing undue physical stress
chiropractor
a practitioner of the system of integrative medicine based on the diagnosis and manipulative treatment of misalignments of the joints.
occupational therapist
a specialist who treats injured, ill, or disabled patients through the therapeutic use of everyday activities, help patients develop, recover, improve, and maintain the skills needed for daily living
physical fitness
a state of health and well-being and, more specifically, the ability to perform aspects of sports, occupations, and daily activities
massage therapist
a trained and licensed professional that practices the manual, or hands on, movement of soft-body tissues to enhance a person's well-being
orthopedic nurse practitioner
advanced practice RNs who can independently treat mild to moderate sports injuries and conduct physical exams/tests to diagnose athletes' ailments
CAATE (Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education)
agency responsible for accrediting 350+ entry level professional athletic training educational programs
Certified Athletic Trainer
allied health care professional educated and trained in the prevention , assessment , treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries.
exercise physiologist
an allied health professional with extensive training in understanding the body's response to exercise
dietician
an expert in dietetics, human nutrition, and the regulation of diet
physical therapy aide
an individual who is not licensed but is able to perform clerical tasks under the direct supervision of a physical therapist or physical therapy assistant.
Biomechanist
an individual who researches how physical activity and sport are affected by physics, and how the different systems of the body, such as the muscles and bones, are injured or can be improved
sports psychology
an interdisciplinary science that draws on knowledge from many related fields including biomechanics, physiology, kinesiology and psychology. It involves the study of how psychological factors affect performance and how participation in sport and exercise affect psychological and physical factors.
physician
health care professional who is trained and qualified to practice medicine
podiatrist
health care professional who specializes in the foot ankle and related structures of the lower extremity
prosthetist
health care worker who designs and fabricated artificial limbs, and fits patients for them
EMT
health care workers who function as part of a comprehensive EMS response system, under medical oversight, perform interventions with the basic equipment typically found on an ambulance
Recreational Therapist
medical professionals who develop sports-based treatments to improve the well-being of non-athletes, help patients gain valuable motor skills through sports such as swimming, kayaking, fishing, jogging, or golfing.
PA (Physician Assistant)
medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient's principal healthcare provider; work under the supervision of a physician
physical therapist (PT)
movement experts who improve qol through prescribed exercise, hands-on care, and patient education, diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, many patients have injuries, disabilities, or other health conditions that need treatment
athletic trainers
prevent and treat athletic injuries and provide rehabilitative services to athletes
SCS
professional member of the sports med team who evaluated existing levels of fitness and athleticism, along with helping to increase the strength and endurance of an individual of team while promoting a healthier lifestyle
sports med professor
school faculty who teach post-grads and residents how to restore athletic function
orthopedic nurse
sports medicine RNs who specialize in helping athletes recuperate from musculoskeletal injuries
kinesiology
study of the mechanics of body movements
athletic training
the division of sports medicine that deals with the care and prevention of athletic injuries and the management of the training methods used by professional or amateur athletes and the active population
therapeutic modalities
the use of heat, cold, or electrical stimulation to produce an increase or decrease in blood flow
sports marketing specialist
works for a sports marketing firm or for a sports organization directly, helps promote specific sporting events and teams or even to promote products and services that are sold in retail stores or arenas
