People often ask me what I do as an Athletic Trainer (AT) – what do my days look like? Who are my “clients”? ATs are chameleons, working in settings varying from high schools and universities to hospitals and even the military!
An AT is a healthcare professional who specializes in the prevention, assessment, and rehabilitation of injuries and typically has a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited program and is licensed in most states. Working in conjunction with physicians, physical therapists, coaches, and parents, ATs are not just limited to the sidelines. Our role may start there but goes much further.
Often acting as first responders, athletic trainers come running at the first sight of injury and stay by your side throughout recovery. Present during the on and off seasons, good and bad days, early mornings and late nights, ATs are a dedicated force in the healthcare community. The establishment of trust between AT and patient/athlete is a vital component in the effectiveness of rehabilitation. The opportunity to witness and influence the process of recovery and return to sport is the most rewarding aspect of athletic training.
Rapidly evolving treatment techniques require athletic trainers to stay up-to-date on the best methods for rehabilitation. Whether it’s cupping or Graston, continuing education is an area that all ATs are familiar with. While I currently work directly with a physician seeing patients of all ages at HSS, ATs are a part of a team of allied health professionals that prioritize patient health and performance.
As Athletic Trainers, our goal (like HSS) is to get you Back in the Game!
Brianna Quijano is a certified Athletic Trainer in the role of physician extender and clinical research coordinator at HSS in the Primary Care Sports Medicine Service. Originally from Poughkeepsie, NY, she obtained has a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the Sacred Heart University. Additionally, Brianna she has earned a Master’s of Science in Exercise Physiology from Long Island University Brooklyn and certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a performance enhancement specialist and corrective exercise specialist.
