User:Bradles 01/Sports trainer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It is requested that this page be re-created under the title of Sports trainer
A sports trainer, or simply "trainer", is a certified medical officer who treats injured athletes. Sports trainers are highly respected and valued within the medical profession, without there intervention injuries to athletes would be much more severe.
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Sports trainers are used in many sporting games the most popular are: AFL football, soccer, gymnastics, swimming and tennis; however they are probably used the most in AFL football. Sports trainers have the training and aurthority to practice far more than just first, they can: Administer medications, implement injury prevention strategies and provide on-going care, and that's the difference between a sports Trainer and first aid officers.
[edit] Roles & Responsibilities
The role of a sports trainer is to provide the best possible care for an athlete who has injured themselves. Other roles include, implementing injury prevention strategies, applying medical treatment to injured athletes, provide on-going care and assist in the rehabilitation process.
Sports trainers and athletic trainers (see: Athletic trainer) provide similar roles and responsibilities however they do differ somewhat. Sports trainers can have that title by completing a Sports Trainer Accreditation course where as athletic trainers require a medical degree from universities, athletic trainers are considered as a health care provided whereas sports trainer are Certified Medical Officers. There are also a number of other differences.
It is commonly thought that a First Aid Officer has the same training and powers as a Sports Trainer, this is incorrect. First Aid Officers can only provide the first steps in treating an injury, so the first aid in treatment a Sports Trainer on the other hand can diagnose and treat injuries and the skills and training to do so, far more than just with a first aid certificate.
[edit] Education & Training
To become a Sports Trainer you need to become accredited, to do that you will need to somplete a sports trainer accrditation. Sports Medicine Australia provide the following courses.
- Level 1 Accreditation - This is the lowest accrediation as a Sports Trainer. With this accrediatation you will beable to implement injury prevention strategies, diagnose and treat injuries, provide ongoing care and rehabilitation. A prerequisite for this course is a Level 3 First Aid Certificate or a Sports First Aid Certificate. The course is usually completed over a number of supervised lessons usually run at universities and TAFE's. Students are also taught taping/strapping and basic sports massage.
- Level 2 Accreditation - This is a more advanced course, it revises everything taught in Level 1 and also teaches students how to run and operate a medical room. Students are also taught Advanced Sports Tapping/Strapping, Defibliration, Advanced Sports Massage, Emergency Asthma Management. This course is usually completed over a six to twleve month period at universities and TAFE's. The prerequisite is a Level 1 Accreditation.
Information on courses can be obtained through Sports Medicine Australia
[edit] Employment Oppurtunities
Employment for Sports Trainers is usually limited, the best time to gain employment is usually directly previous to the starting of a sporting season. Most work is voluntary however there are a number of paid positions availible if you can find them.
Assistant Sports Trainer
You may work as an Assistant Sports Trainer without qualifications, as long as you have a Level 2 First Aid Certificate and are under the direct supervision of an accredited Sports Trainer then that is all you need. However, as an assistant you do not have the same responsibilities as a Sports Trainer and are not qualified to perform the same actions.
