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Athletic Trainer Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

An Athletic Trainer, also known as a Personal Trainer, spends time one-on-one or with groups of people to provide fitness coaching and training. Their duties include answering questions, creating and implementing fitness lesson plans, and encouraging regular exercise.

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Athletic Trainer duties and responsibilities

Athletic Trainers talk to trainees about their fitness goals then advise them about how to improve their health and compete better with other athletes. Athletic Trainers also keep track of students’ progress and decide which exercises will benefit people most. They ensure that students are pleased with the results of training and follow the rules and regulations of their sport or organization. The duties and responsibilities in an Athletic Trainer job description may include:

  • Teaching students how to set realistic fitness goals for themselves
  • Conducting fitness tests
  • Distributing guides about the exercises trainees can do at home on days when they don’t see the Athletic Trainer
  • Teaching trainees how to operate digital fitness devices such as smart watches to monitor their training progress
  • Recording information about lesson plans and the progress of students
  • Keeping the area where they teach neat, clean, and organized
  • Making sure that students know what clothing they should wear and what equipment they should bring
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Athletic Trainer Job Description Examples:

What does an Athletic Trainer do?

Athletic Trainers keep students motivated and interested in the subjects they teach. They create training schedules and help people improve their skills in sports like football, hockey, skiing, swimming, track, and weightlifting. Many Athletic Trainers teach yoga, Pilates, judo, karate, jujitsu, and similar subjects. Athletic Trainers can work with people of all ages, but some specialize in creating programs for young children, student athletes, or senior citizens. Athletic Trainers often work with the same customers for months or years, and they teach often scheduled one-on-one training sessions or classes.

Athletic Trainer skills and qualifications

Successful Athletic Trainers usually have friendly, patient personalities and the ability to interact with many different kinds of people. They can be polite and professional while giving constructive feedback to students, and they love to exercise. The top skills and qualifications for Athletic Trainers include:

  • Outstanding customer service
  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology as well as the athletic capabilities of their students
  • Knowledge of the rules and regulations for the sports they teach
  • Good time management skills
  • Strong problem-solving skills
  • The ability to pass a background check and drug screening
  • Willingness to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends

Athletic Trainer experience requirements

Most Athletic Trainer positions require at least a year of experience, but some employers will hire people who are starting their careers and provide more extensive on-the-job training. Candidates with a background as a Personal Trainer, Athletic Trainer, or Coach will be preferable.

Athletic Trainer education and training requirements

Most Athletic Trainer jobs require a secondary school degree or a GED and an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in physical education. Instead of university, some Athletic Trainers have extensive training in a particular sport or discipline, like gymnastics, karate, or hockey. Many Athletic Trainers also have certifications in personal training or their sport. The best Athletic Trainers have postgraduate degrees in physical education, kinesiology, health sciences, or a related subject. Some Athletic Trainer candidates may be former high-level competitors in their sport.

Athletic Trainer salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an Athletic Trainer in Canada is $31.06 per hour. Individual pay levels can vary depending on experience, education levels, the location, the sport, and the skill levels of trainees.

Job description samples for similar positions

If an Athletic Trainer isn’t exactly what your business is looking for, here are some similar job description samples that could satisfy your needs:

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Athletic Trainer job description FAQs

What is a typical day like for an Athletic Trainer?

Some Athletic Trainers work at gyms, fitness centers, athletic clubs, and similar organizations. Others work for sports teams or directly with individuals. They can also work for health care facilities to help people recover from injuries or illnesses. Most Athletic Trainers work in one location, but some travel with sports teams to games. Others visit people at their homes or offices to give personalized instruction. Athletic Trainers spend most of their time demonstrating exercises and giving useful feedback to trainees. They can also create schedules and lesson plans and clean exercise spaces and equipment between classes.

Who does an Athletic Trainer report to?

Athletic Trainers usually report to Managers, Coaches, or Shift Supervisors. Some report directly to gym owners and others work as independent contractors or run their own businesses.

What makes a good Athletic Trainer job description?

An appealing Athletic Trainer job description includes an overview of the business and its culture, values, and history. Discuss the responsibilities of the position and the skills, training, and experience levels required. Let applicants know what sport or discipline they will teach and the location where the new Athletic Trainer will work. It should also include any specific qualifications such as a Personal Trainer qualification or one specific to a sport.

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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