Athletic trainers are educated as medical professionals (which differentiates them from fitness or personal trainers) and work with impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. They work with emergency, acute, and chronic cases and are not only involved with diagnosing and aiding patients but also working preventatively to ensure the patient's future health and success. They learn risk management and injury prevention, pathology and acute care of injuries and illnesses, nutrition, rehabilitative practices, and more. 

As an Athletic Trainer at Cleveland Clinic, you will have the opportunity to participate in our Early Career AT Immersion Program—designed specifically for professionals within their first three years of practice. This unique program supports a smooth transition into your career by fostering inter-disciplinary collaboration, hands-on learning and professional growth. Through clinical and surgical rotations with Sports Medicine staff physicians, direct skill development in assessment, emergency management, and rehabilitation, and engagement with guest speakers from diverse sports medicine professions, you’ll build the knowledge and confidence to thrive in your role. In addition, the program emphasizes academic development through case study work and professional presentation experience, setting you on a strong path for long-term success.

A caregiver in this position works 10:30am – 7:00pm at a secondary school/high school setting.

A caregiver who excels in this role will:  

• Recognize, manage and rehabilitate injuries to professional, amateur and recreational athletes. 

• Provide techniques for prevention of injuries. 

• Prepare athletes for practice or competition. 

• Evaluate and manage injuries and determine whether a referral is necessary. 

• Maintain a medical file on each athlete and act as a liaison between the physician and the athlete. 

• Implement treatment and rehabilitation programs under the supervision of a physician. 

• Develop conditioning programs for injured and non-injured athletes. 

• For Athletic Trainers working in a clinical/ambulatory setting: perform a comprehensive health maintenance review, provide an oral report to the physician regarding patient history and chief complaint, scribe documentation of the visit into the medical record by remaining in the exam room with the physician as the patient is treated, review post-visit instructions with the patient, assist with gathering data under the supervision of the physician or nurse, and administer treatments under the direction of the physician. 

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:  

• Bachelor’s Degree  

• Completion of an athletic training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs

• Athletic Trainer certification (ATC) certified by the National Athletic Trainers Board of Certification (NATBOC)  

• State licensure as an Athletic Trainer (AT) if required by state law  

• Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification  

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:  

• Participation in training programs related to the ATC field

Physical Requirements:

• Requires full body motion including handling and lifting up to 75 pounds.

• Manual and finger dexterity, and eye-hand coordination.

• Requires standing, sitting, and walking for extended periods of time.

• Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.

• May be required to drive to other locations.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.