SOUTH AFRICA 路 SALARY IN RANDS

Athletic Trainers

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Athletic Instructor
  • Athletic Lecturer
  • Athletic Trainer
  • Certified Athletic Trainer
  • Personal Trainer
  • Resident Athletic Trainer
  • Women's Athletic Trainer

What do Athletic Trainers do?

Athletic Trainers are healthcare professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports-related injuries and medical conditions. They work collaboratively with athletes, coaches, and other healthcare providers to ensure that athletes are physically prepared for their sports activities while minimizing the risk of injury. Athletic Trainers often provide immediate care during athletic events, develop conditioning programs, and guide athletes in recovery. Their expertise encompasses a wide range of clinical skills, including physical rehabilitation techniques, biomechanical analysis, and nutrition advice, enabling them to cater to the unique needs of athletes at all levels of competition. This profession is grounded in a foundation of education and is recognized through various certifications, often requiring a bachelor's or master's degree in athletic training and passing a national certification exam. Athletic Trainers can be found in various settings, including schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and clinics, playing a vital role in the overall health and performance of athletes.

What the work actually is

  • Conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness to provide emergency or continued care and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
  • Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians.
  • Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication.
  • Evaluate athletes' readiness to play and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted.
  • Perform general administrative tasks, such as keeping records or writing reports.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

  • Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Speech Clarity The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech Recognition The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Knowledge

  • Medicine and Dentistry Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Psychology Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • Therapy and Counseling Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Master's degree
Bachelor's degree
High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

A normal week

  • Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Data base user interface and query software Database software 路 Digital Coach AthleticTrainer 路 Keffer Development Services Athletic Trainer System ATS 路 Premier Software Simtrak Mobility
  • Medical software BioEx Systems Exercise Pro 路 ImPACT Applications ImPACT
  • Electronic mail software Email software 路 Microsoft Outlook

Tools

  • Orthopedic splint systems Air splints 路 Fixed splints 路 Vacuum splints
  • Facial shields Face shields 路 Mouth guards
  • Pelvis or back traction supplies Cervical traction units 路 Lumbar traction units
  • Therapeutic heating or cooling pads or compresses or packs Cold therapy equipment 路 Heat therapy equipment
  • Resistance tubes Exercise tubing

Who it suits

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

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Questions people ask

How much do Athletic Trainers earn in South Africa?

Athletic Trainers salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Athletic Trainers do?

Conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness to provide emergency or continued care and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment, Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians and Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.