What is an Athletic Trainer
Certified athletic trainers are allied healthcare professionals with expertise in preventing, recognizing, managing, and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. In cooperation with physicians and other allied health personnel, the athletic trainer functions as an integral member of the athletic health care team in secondary schools, colleges and universities, sports medicine clinics, professional sports programs, and other athletic health care systems.
Certified athletic trainers have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree. In addition, athletic trainers study human anatomy, human physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, athletic training, nutrition, and psychology/counseling.
Certified athletic trainers have fulfilled the requirements for certification established by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification, Inc. (NATABOC) and may use the designation of “ATC”.
A certified athletic trainer is recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied health care provider and thus must stay current in the advancements in athletic health care by obtaining continuing education credits in order to retain certification.
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DPS Mission Statement
The mission of the Denver Public Schools Sports Medicine program is to enhance the quality of health care for Denver Public School’s student athletes and coaches through the provision of athletic training in injury prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation.
The purpose of the program is the following:
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To enrich the experience of athletic participation
for each high school athlete through proper,
prompt, and competent injury prevention and medical management practices. -
To enhance the quality of sports by providing multi-disciplinary, comprehensive care and
treatment specific to sports medicine at all levels of competition. -
To increase the overall image and respect of the Denver Public Schools Athletic Program
through the involvement of Certified Athletic
trainers working at the high school, community, state, national, and international levels. -
To reduce the medical liability to the district by attending ongoing training provided by organizations of the athletic training profession for Certified Athletic Trainers.
