Overview

Athletic trainers help people prevent and recover from injuries that result from physical activity. They evaluate, advise, and treat athletes to help them continue to perform at high levels. Athletic trainers protect players from getting hurt by prescribing exercises to strengthen muscles and applying tape, bandages, or braces to injury-prone areas. They also give first aid to injured athletes and manage minor injuries to help them to stay in competition.

Work Environment

Athletic trainers may work in sports for a high school, college, university or professional team, or in a healthcare setting at a hospital, rehabilitation center or sports medicine clinic. They work closely with team doctors, coaches and athletes to return to action as safely and as quickly as possible after an injury occurs. Athletic trainers work a normal schedule with many nights and weekends because they are needed at sporting events.

Preparation

Training

While most athletic trainers choose to get a graduate degree, they only need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program to practice.

Schools

• Buena Vista University – bachelor's
• Central College – bachelor's
• Clarke University – bachelor's
• Coe College – bachelor's
• Graceland University – bachelor's
• Iowa State University – bachelor's
• Loras College – bachelor's
• Luther College – bachelor's
• Northwestern College – bachelor's
• Simpson College – bachelor's
• The University of Iowa – bachelor's & master's
• University of Northern Iowa – bachelor's & master's
• Upper Iowa University – bachelor's

Licensure and Certification

Athletic trainers must pass the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification (NATABOC) exam to be licensed to practice in Iowa.

Education

Locations

Career Outlook Map of Iowa

Athletic trainers have an excellent job outlook with an expected growth rate of 31% in Iowa.

Resources

Professional Associations

• Board of Certification, Inc.
• Iowa Athletic Trainers’ Society
• National Athletic Trainers' Association