Sports trainer
A sports trainer is a certified individual who is trained in the prevention and immediate treatment of athletic injuries.
Responsibilities
The goal of a sports trainer is to make sport safer by:
- Implementing appropriate injury prevention protocols
- Preparing players for competition
- Providing the appropriate immediate management of injuries
- Providing immediate crisis management of severe injuries
- Informed referral of injuries to a more qualified health professional for further advice and management
- Working in conjunction with health professionals to ensure a safe return to play for injured players
- Educating players and coaching staff in relation to return to play principles
Levels of Certification
There are three different levels of sports trainer certification.
Sports First Aid
Requires a nine hour course, which is split between didactic and clinical work. The course covers topics such as prevention of injuries and assessment and immediate management of sporting injuries.
Sports Trainer Level one
The Level one Sports Trainers course involves sixteen hours of lecture and practical sessions in subjects such as management of specific sporting injuries, warm up, stretching and cool downs, taping and nutrition.
Sports Trainer Level two
Current Level one Sports Trainers accreditation, twelve months experience and fifty hours practical field experience are pre-requisites for entry into the Level two Sports Trainers course which includes a core curriculum and optional modules to allow the sports trainer to receive specific training in areas of interest or need.
Requirements
Individuals must be at least ten years old, have current CPR certification and take the required course to become a certified sports trainer. No other formal education is necessary.