There are many ways to show your passion for sports. If you cannot be an athlete, you can be of assistance to them by being a sports therapist. For you to pursue a career as a sports therapist, you have to fulfill the educational requirements, professional training and secure the required certification.
Characteristics of a Sports Therapist
A sports therapist must exhibit a passion for his career and dedication to his duties. If you want to build a career in this field, you should be well-rounded and should have a positive attitude towards the athlete and the team. As a sports therapist, it is your duty to be always ready in cases of emergency or injury.
Most athletes feel secure if the sports therapist utilizes his skills confidently in responding to emotional and physical scenarios. Aside from this, he must know how to properly apply clinical knowledge on various accidents encountered by athletes. The sports therapist should be able to handle physical, emotional, and behavioral changes as he deals with an injured athlete.
The sports therapist must be flexible enough to adjust to every situation. His presence is important, not only in the competition proper , but during training or practice. In this sense, he should be able to accommodate changes in schedule even if it means sacrificing personal plans with his family.
Educational Requirements
For one to become a sports therapist, the minimum educational requirement is to finish a bachelor’s degree. Courses that focus on Science and anatomy, as well as, bio-mechanics and exercise science are essential. Part of the program is for the student to take up a practicum that allows him to work alongside sports physicians or health professionals. After graduation, the student has to take up and pass a certification board examination.
Students who have completed the accredited programs of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) are now eligible for the examination. Even though they pass and are certified, they are still required to maintain an emergency cardiac care certification.
Other than maintaining certain credits, most sports therapists are encouraged to pursue additional education. Others even moving on to get a Master’s degree. Whatever additional educational attainment will be beneficial for one to be an effective and efficient sports therapist.
Career Outlook
Sports therapy is becoming popular these days. The U.S. Department of Labor predicted that there will be higher demand for professionals in the field of sports medicine in the coming years. This includes trainers, doctors and sports therapists. The expected growth rate for this profession will go up to twenty percent or higher from 2008 to 2018.
For professionals engage in sports medicine like trainers, their annual salary ranges from $33,000 to 50,000; for sports physician, $119,000 to 375,000; exercise physiologist, $37,000 to 57,000; and sports therapist, $64,000 to 84,000. Sports therapist can also be paid on an hourly basis, ranging from $15.00 to $65.00 per hour. In some European countries, sports therapists stationed in clinics are paid 17,000 to 28,000 euros. If the sports therapist is in private practice, he can earn as much as 35,000 euros but this is the rate for those who have extensive experience.
If you love sports and would like a career within the athletic programs, you should consider a career as a sports therapist. It is essential that you genuinely want to work around athletes and other health buffs. If you believe a career as a sports therapist is for you, work on earning the degree needed and proceed with applying for the certification.
Be a sports therapist today!
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