What Can I Do With A Major In Sports Medicine?

Rates the physical condition of athletes. Advises and treats them to help maintain their physical fitness. Prescribes exercises to strengthen muscles. Recommends special diets and massages to relieve strain and soreness. Gives first aid to injured players. Treats chronic minor injuries to help athletes maintain performance.

Educational Requirements

A bachelor's degree or higher, plus work experience. Certification is becoming increasingly important for employment. Apart from certification, some states require athletic trainers to be licensed.

Avg. Maine Salary: N/A

Avg. # Maine Employment 221

Annual Openings: 10

Projected Growth: 22.2%

PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Improves mobility, relieves the pain, and prevents or limits the permanent physical disabilities of patients suffering from injuries or disease. Evaluates patients' medical history; tests and measures their strength, range of motion, and ability to function; and develops written treatment plans. Describes the treatments to be provided, their purpose, and their anticipated outcomes. Provides treatments, such as passive exercise, electrical stimulation, traction, and deep massage. Teaches patients to use crutches, wheelchairs, and prosthesis. Documents progress, conducts periodic re-evaluations, and modifies treatments when necessary.

Educational Requirements

A bachelor's degree. All states require physical therapists to pass a licensure exam after graduating from an accredited physical therapy program. Individuals who have a 4-year degree in related field, such as genetics or biology, and want to be a physical therapist, should enroll in master's level physical therapy program. A master's degree is also recommended for those with a bachelor's degree in physical therapy who are interested in promotion to an administrative position. For research and teaching jobs, a master's degree is required.

Avg. Maine Salary: $22.36 per/hour

Avg. # Maine Employment 518

Annual Openings: 35

Projected Growth: 74%

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RELATED OCCUPATIONS

Exercise Physiologist	Sports Medicine
Physical-Integration Practitioner	Athletics
Corrective Therapist	Coaches
Umpires	Dietitian
Nursing and Personal Care Facilities

SKILLS

Counseling And Advising People
Instructing People On Health Care
Planning Staff Work Tasks
Planning And Administering Budgets
Planning and Giving Information and Help
Giving Injections, Drugs, and Other Medications
Treating Physical or Mental Problems
Planning and Arranging Health Care Treatments
Operating Medical Diagnostic Equipment
Working As a Member Of a Health Services Team
Planning And Giving Information And Help
Making Judgments and Decisions
Taking Responsibility	Dealing With People
Influencing People

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SAMPLE JOBS

(taken from past issues of our Career Services Husky Job Board)

Worksite Health Promotion Project Manager -
Responsible for the overall management of the day to day operations of the corporate fitness center including program management, membership control and data collection, maintenance of facility and equipment, ordering all supplies and supervising all staff.
Qualifications: Minimum BS/BA degree in a health or fitness field required; 3+ years experience in conducting health and fitness programs in a corporate or commercial environment; CPR certification required; Certification from ACSM or another national affiliated organization preferred; aerobic certification desirable; strong organizational and communication skills; self-motivated; team player.

Fitness Consultants, Fitness Professionals (trainers), Management Positions
An expanding health club chain and a nationwide industry leader preparing to open another facility.
Qualifications: For Fitness Consultants: energetic, upbeat, thrive on fast paced atmosphere, retail, restaurant, hotel experience ideal, starting point for General Managers; For Fitness Professionals (Trainers): mature, professional, empathetic, motivated, educated in the fitness field, belief in oneself to help clients achieve results and an interest in sales, eager to continue education, must have MS, BS in Exercise Physiology, Physical Education or Nutrition and/or a NASM certification, APEX certification.

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RELATED ACTIVITIES

Participate in Health Occupations Students of America.

Join a professional sports organization.

Volunteer to work with a local or national sports club.

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

(These resources are located in our Career Resource Centers)

Maine Dept. of Labour and Occupational Outlook Handbook

Choices

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PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

(For more information see the National Trade and Professional Association
of the United States located in our Career Resource Centers)

American Academy of Sports Physicians
17445 Oak Creek Court
Encino CA 91396-2534

American College of Sports Medicine

American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine

American Sports Medicine Association/Board Of Certification

Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology

Collegiate Commissioners Association

National Association Athletic Development Directors

National Athletic Trainers' Association

National Collegiate Athletic Association

National Council of Athletic Training

North American Society of the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity

Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers' Association

Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society

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The information on this page was taken from the following sources: CareerWare 98; Maine Dept.of Labor, 94; Occupational Outlook Handbook, 98; National Trade and Professional Associations Of the United States, 97; College Majors and Careers

Website Last Updated August 8, 1999

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