Description
Evaluate, treat, and rehabilitate musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses for athletes, delivering preventive, therapeutic, and emergency care.
- • Conduct initial assessments of injuries or illness, provide emergency or ongoing care, and determine physician referrals.
- • Treat athletic injuries using therapeutic modalities, exercise, and approved supplies.
- • Evaluate readiness to play and issue participation clearances when warranted.
- • Apply protective and preventive devices, such as tape, bandages, and braces.
- • Monitor and report recovery progress to coaches, athletes, and physicians.
- • Collaborate with physicians to design and implement rehabilitation plans.
- • Educate athletes on proper equipment fit and use.
- • Plan and implement injury and illness prevention programs.
- • Develop return-to-play conditioning and training plans.
- • Travel with teams and provide on-site coverage at practices and events.
- • Instruct coaches, athletes, parents, and staff in injury care and prevention.
- • Inspect facilities and fields for hazards that could injure players.
- • Conduct or support research and provide instruction in athletic training topics.
- • Offer basic sports nutrition guidance or refer to dietitians as needed.
- • Perform soft-tissue and manual therapy to relieve soreness and strains.
- • Confer with coaches to select and fit protective equipment.
- • Accompany injured athletes to medical facilities when necessary.
- • Maintain supplies and equipment and perform team support duties.
- • Lead warm-ups and stretching before practices and games.
- • Maintain medical records and write reports in compliance with regulations.
- • Submit insurance claims and coordinate with insurers.
- • Teach or precept athletic training students in clinical skills.
- • Clean and sanitize athletic training rooms and treatment areas.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
