Western Washington Area Health Education Center
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
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WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
Health Career Information
Sports Medicine
Job description
Sports Medicine is not a unified career, but a widely varied group of careers. Central to the career field is concern with the health and well being of the athlete. The term "athlete" encompasses a large segment of the population and includes amateur and professional athletes and also those who exercise for health and recreation. Sports Medicine professionals work with people of all ages and abilities including the handicapped.
Primary professions include
Coaches teach and direct activities of sports teams. Coaches of school and college teams are college graduates, usually with a Bachelor's degree in physical education. Many have an advanced degree. Most have had coursework in first aid and injury prevention. Training is available throughout Washington State at four year colleges and universities offering degrees in physical education and preparation for education certification.
Athletic Trainers help with the athlete's physical conditioning and decides when the athlete is fit to compete. They recommend exercises to strengthen muscles and advise athletes on how to prevent injuries. They prescribe special diets to improve general health and athletic performance. They tape or wrap limbs to support joints, muscles, and ligaments. They fit players with protective equipment and check to ensure it works properly. During competition, trainers give first aid to injured players, such as cleaning and bandaging wounds, and applying ice and heat to promote healing. They call in physicians to care for serious injuries. Trainers develop rehabilitation programs for injured athletes to ensure proper healing. These programs usually include a combination of treatments and exercise. They may massage athletes to relieve soreness, strains, and bruises. They prescribe equipment such as braces and pads to allow injured athletes to continue competing. Athletic Trainers may specialize in one sport. In Washington State, Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer programs are available at Central Washington University, Washington State University and Eastern Washington State University.
Physical Therapists (Physio Therapists) work under the direction of a physician to rehabilitate patients who have received muscle, bone, nerve, or joint injuries from their athletic activities. In Washington State, bachelors and masters degree programs have been phased out; all programs are offered at the doctorate level. Physical Therapy degrees are available from Eastern Washington University, the University of Puget Sound and the University of Washington .
Fitness Management/Specialists set up exercise programs at fitness centers and exercise gyms and give instruction on exercise equipment use. They may organize wellness programs and give advice on nutrition. In Washington State, Fitness Managers/Specialist Programs are relatively new. Such programs are available at Pierce College, Spokane Falls Community College, and Lake Washington Technical College.
Physiologist is a relatively new specialty. Physiology is the study of the functions of the human body. A Physiologist studies the way physiological systems respond to exercise. A person entering this field generally completes a bachelors degree in biological or bio-chemical science or in physical education. These degrees are available through four year colleges and universities throughout Washington State.
Biomechanical Engineers design safe and more useful sports and exercise equipment and playing surfaces. They also design rehabilitation devices to help injured and disabled athletes function more normally. A Washington State mechanical engineering degree is available through the University of Washington, Washington State University, Gonzaga University, St. Martin's College, Seattle University, and Walla-Walla College. Walla Walla also offers a bachelors in bioengineering.
Dietitians (Nutritionists) work to prepare the best diet for athletes assuring complete nutrition for maximum physical condition and activity. The minimum education requirement for a dietitian is a bachelor's degree, preferably with a major in dietetics, nutrition, or institution or food systems management. A graduate degree is usually required for teaching, research, and public or community health nutrition. In Washington State, programs in dietitian training are available at Bastyr University, Central Washington University, Seattle Pacific University, and Washington State University. Though an internship is not available in Washington State at this time, a coordinated program offering equivalent experience is provided by the University of Washington and Washington State University.
Psychologists work with athletes to overcome psychological and sociological barriers that prevent them from doing the best in their sport. Psychologists usually earn a Bachelor's and master's degree and then a Ph.D. before they can treat patients. In Washington State, training is available at Eastern Washington University, Western Washington University and Central Washington University, the University of Washington, Washington State University, Seattle Pacific University and St. Martin's College.
Physicians treat athlete's injuries and illnesses. For the most part, they are either practitioners in family practices or orthopedic surgeons. Team physicians treat the illnesses and medical problems that arise during the sports season. They perform the physical examinations and treat the less serious injuries that occur. They work very closely with the team orthopedic surgeons who handle the major injuries of the musculoskeletal system, perform the surgery on these injuries, and supervise the rehabilitation of athletes after injury. Both are involved in the prevention of injury. These professionals have an MD. In Washington State, training is available at the University of Washington School of Medicine. To practice, a physician must earn a college degree followed by a four year degree as a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) from an accredited school and pass an examination for state licensure from the Board of Medical Examiners.
This job description sheet is not intended to include all careers within sports medicine, but only to give a brief overview of the jobs within the field.
* Note: General career descriptions are updated as necessary, however salary expectations and projected outlooks have not been updated since 2000. Go to Workforce Explorer Washington and search your career for the most up-to-date salary and job growth expectations. Washington Healthcare Careers and Workforce College are also good resources for job information.
For additional information, contact your school's career counselor or
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Page updated 9/15/04