Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Athletic Trainer
What athletic trainers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Tape ankles before football practice. From there, the day usually includes prevent injuries with taping, bracing and conditioning, evaluate injuries on the field and in the clinic, and provide emergency care. Hours can be long and irregular, including evenings, weekends and travel with teams.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an athletic trainer working full time.
- Tape ankles before football practice.
- Evaluate a sprained wrist in the training room.
- Cover practice and watch for heat illness.
- Respond to a possible concussion and run an assessment.
- Supervise rehab exercises for a knee injury.
- Call parents and the team physician.
- Document injuries and plan tomorrow.
Where athletic trainers work
Athletic trainers work in training rooms, on fields and courts, in clinics and at industrial sites, in all weather.
Hours and schedule
Hours can be long and irregular, including evenings, weekends and travel with teams.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Prevent injuries with taping, bracing and conditioning
- Evaluate injuries on the field and in the clinic
- Provide emergency care
- Design and supervise rehabilitation
- Manage concussion protocols
- Work with physicians and coaches
- Document injuries and treatments
Tools you’ll use every day
- Taping and bracing supplies
- AEDs and emergency equipment
- Rehab equipment
- Concussion assessment tools
- Ice and modalities
- Electronic medical records
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Exciting sports environment
- Growing field
- Meaningful health work
- Variety of settings
What’s hard
- Requires a master’s degree
- Long, irregular hours
- Travel with teams
- Pay can be modest for the education
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love sports and medicine
- I stay calm during injuries
- I like hands-on care
- I can work evenings and weekends
- I want to work with athletes
- I’m willing to earn a master’s degree
Not sure? Take the free Athletic Trainer fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Maintain emergency action plans for every venue
- Monitor heat and lightning
- Follow concussion protocols
- Use universal precautions with blood