Amazon, Boeing and Beyond: Why Big Industry Is Hiring Athletic Trainers

“Many companies are seeing the value in ATs,” said Stephanie “Stevie” Clines, program director of Sacred Heart University’s MS in athletic training. “The mindset of an AT goes beyond the activities of daily living. We recognize there are situations where people have higher levels of physical demands in their lives and that’s what we’ve been trained for—to help people reach and maintain peak performance levels.”

Their expertise and varied skill set in treating musculoskeletal conditions and injuries is a boon for industries such as construction, manufacturing and warehousing. Workers often engage in repetitive motions, heavy lifting and physically strenuous tasks, which puts them at risk for injuries such as those sustained by athletes.

ATs in the Field

Several graduates of SHU’s athletic training program have found careers in nontraditional fields. Megan Embler, who earned her SHU degree in athletic training in 2014, is one of them. She works with Concentra, which provides occupational health services to companies across the United States. Embler is the lead athletic trainer at a construction site in New Haven where she is working with Turner Construction Company crews.

A typical day for her begins with leading an early morning stretching session for the employees. “This is about being proactive versus reactive,” she said. “How can we get ahead of an injury and decrease the risks and hazards that might be present before an injury occurs.”

As the day goes on, she walks the site to check how employees are moving through their tasks. At any point, she may have to provide more immediate care if there is an injury, or she may address an employee’s question about chronic pain.

An athletic trainer’s unique skill set is perfectly suited for high-risk occupational environments, just one of the settings where ATs are needed. Over the next 10 years, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects employment of athletic trainers to grow 13%, which is much faster than the average for other occupations. Clines and Embler spoke about several key factors that are driving the deployment of ATs into these nontraditional workplaces.

Injury Prevention and Risk Reduction

Just as athletic trainers assess athletes’ movements to identify risk factors for injury, they do the same in an industrial setting. By conducting ergonomic and movement assessments, they can identify and correct unsafe lifting techniques, improper posture or overuse patterns. By providing coaching techniques or recommending exercises, ATs can prevent habits that lead to injuries, which in turn can lead to days lost and workers’ compensation claims.

“The biggest risks we see are repetitive tasks, awkward postures and high force, such as using a power tool. There are times when all three are together,” Embler said. “I can help educate a worker on how to position their body differently or perform the task differently to prevent a future injury.”

On-Site Injury Evaluation and Immediate Care

When an athlete goes down, ATs are often the first medical professionals to respond and make the initial evaluation. “In an industrial setting, we are your triage, your first aid and often your first responders on the scene, making those ‘on-the-field’ evaluations,” Embler noted.

Athletic trainers can evaluate the severity of an injury, administer basic first aid and determine whether further medical care is necessary. This early intervention can resolve minor issues before they become major issues, which can speed up recovery time and minimize downtime for the employee.

Rehabilitation and Return-to-Work Programs

“When you do the same motion every day for years, it’s not uncommon to develop, say, a shoulder issue,” Clines said. “Or a unit or department might experience a particular overuse issue.”

In industrial settings, ATs can develop personalized rehabilitation programs for employees recovering from injuries that are tailored to the specific physical demands of the worker’s job. This approach can create a smoother and more effective return to the workplace.

Cost Savings and ROI for Employers

From a financial standpoint, incorporating athletic trainers into industrial settings can yield significant returns. By getting ahead of injuries before they happen, a company can potentially keep the number of incidents down, which can help with insurance and other costs.

A recent survey found that companies that use on-site athletic trainers reported a positive return on investment, with more than 80% reporting an average ROI of $3 for every $1 spent.

Improved Workforce Health and Productivity

Embler said having trained professionals on the floor can lead to a healthier and more productive workforce, improve morale and increase overall wellness. Across the industry, ATs often provide wellness events on topics such as stretching and strengthening, nutrition and hydration.

“We really take a holistic look at the worker, and that can mean mental health conversations—it’s OK to let others know if you are hurt,” Embler said. “Where I find joy in my job is when we make a difference in someone’s day and their life. Maybe we teach them how to do something different or they’ve had pain for years, and we give them some stretches that take that away. This is my favorite chapter of my career so far.”

Considering a career as an AT?

The integration of athletic trainers into nontraditional work environments is part of a broader shift toward proactive health and safety practices in the workplace. SHU’s athletic training master’s program can prepare you for traditional and nontraditional roles and allow you to pursue your passion, whether that’s helping athletes stay on the top of their game or working with warehouse workers to stay limber and energized throughout their shift.

For more information, schedule a meeting with Lea DiStasio, or reach out at distasiol2@sacredheart.edu. Graduate admissions also provides opportunities to schedule a visit, attend an open house or participate in a virtual information session.

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