A certified athletic trainer (ATC) is an allied health care provider and professional with the ability of performing immediate and emergency injury management, injury assessment, and rehabilitation. Athletic trainers work closely with other members of the allied health team including physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, and others.
An athletic trainer has knowledge in a variety of areas and possesses the ability to provide risk management by developing training and conditioning programs, and injury prevention. They also provide nutritional guidance, equipment fitting, injury treatment, and rehabilitation. Athletic trainers must understand injury pathologies and proper referral procedures, if needed. The profession of athletic training is recognized under the umbrella of the American Medical Association (AMA).
