Jobs in sports medicine are available in different disciplines. Such a wide range of specialization options makes it an attractive career option. Trained, certified, and licensed sports medicine physicians who have studied advanced sports medicine can expect the highest salary possible in this field. The main job for sports medicine physicians involves diagnosing and treating injuries of sports persons, athletes, and other people. Such injuries take place while playing a sport or doing any physical activity. Before someone can get into this field, the person must go through specialized training, fellowship program, and residency program. The candidate also needs to decide whether to choose orthopedic surgery or primary care stream.
Jobs in this field require the applicants to have necessary educational qualification, training, certificates, and licenses. The program involves the study of anatomy, physiology, and psychology. While it is known as sports medicine and mainly related to the treatment of sportspersons and athletes, these physicians also treat individuals who suffer injuries during any type of physical activity. A person suffering an illness or injury from a sport activity needs proper diagnosis and treatment. Teamwork involves working with surgeons, physiotherapists, coaches, patients and physiologists. It all depends on the type of illness or injury and the type of treatment needed.
Before someone can apply for jobs in sports medicine, the person must have gone through the required level of education and training. After completing the high school education, the candidate must get first degree in the fields like biology, life sciences, or chemistry. After receiving a bachelor’s degree, the candidate must join a medical school. It may take about four years to complete the coursework to earn the degree of doctor of medicine. The residency program after receiving the degree lasts about 2-7 year. Before going through this program, the person needs to choose a specialty in the field of sports medicine. The sports medicine fellowship after the program takes about 1-2 years.
It opens up opportunities for Sports medicine jobs. After completing this program, there is US Medical Licensing Examination. Passing this exam allows the candidate to become licensed physician. For specialization, the person needs to go for specific specialty exams conducted by national Board certification department. Before starting a practice in any state, a license specific to that state is also needed. Candidates able to pass the specialty certification exam can take certification exam for doctor in sports medicine. Thereafter, the certified and licensed physician can apply for various sports medicine jobs.
In sports medicine jobs, doctors can expect an income between $ 40,000 and $ 250,000. The salary depends on several factors including educational qualification, type of training and specialization, experience, employer and the location. Employment in Sports medicine jobs sector is expected to grow at the rate of 22%. Many colleges offer sports medicine programs. Many universities also offer degree programs in sports medicine. There are programs for sports medicine, health promotion, athlete training, sports coaching, exercise science and many other disciplines. Under sports medicine jobs, physicians specializing in this field mainly work in hospitals, clinics and other medical centers. Because sports medicine jobs require dealing with other medical professionals, the candidate must have good interpersonal and communication skills.