International Committee Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

What does the NATA International Committee do?

This committee addresses concerns of members who are living, working or stationed outside the continental United States. Review, recommend and execute programs, policies and alliances that affect international members and regular certified members living outside of the United States.  Promote the use of ATCs in the international job market and the NATA brand internationally.  The committee may review and recommend patronage and sponsor requests by other international organizations, and generally support activities related to World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy (WFATT), which is a separate entity.

 

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Can I work internationally with my AT credential?

The symbols/acronyms ATC and the NATA are very recognizable globally. More...

 

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Are there international internships available?

Check with your university office of education overseas. They should have internship information available. If your degree is in Kinesiology, Exercise physiology or Physical Education, look specifically at those internship opportunities; your creativity here is important. You may have to design your own internship.

Some reputable internship links:

 

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If I work overseas am I eligible for professional insurance coverage?

There are global sportsmedicine organizations who offer their own national members indemnity working in their country. More…

 

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Where can I acquire professional liability insurance while working overseas?

Athletic trainers working in Europe will need to purchase "Versicherung" (insurance). US issued liability insurance is NOT VALID in the European Union (EU). More.....

 

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Are there any pitfalls working overseas?

Meeting CEU requirements can be difficult depending on your location, however most CEUs can be accumulated online and through international conferences that meet the domains of athletic training. Acquiring current Professional Rescuer certification can to be a greater concern for some. More…

 

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I am an AT living overseas.  How can I obtain CEUs?

Category D of the BOC CEU reporting categories allows for up to 20 CEUs in attending non-BOC approved provider professional conferences that fall within the guidelines of the Role Delineation Study, 5th Ed.  (more info).  WFATT also holds conferences internationally and are BOC Approved Providers (BOC CEU Category A).  The NATA International Committee is working to establish BOC approved provider seminars and Professional Rescuer CPR overseas and will post them as they become available.  For those who are proactively seeking to establish CEUs, becoming a BOC approved provider is also possible - more info can be found on the BOC Web site. 

 

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How do I become a Certified Athletic Trainer?

Certified athletic trainers are allied health care providers who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses that occur to athletes and the physically active. To become a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) one must graduate from a bachelors or masters degree program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) via the Joint Review Committee - Athletic Training (JRC-AT). Universities that offer CAATE accredited programs can be found here. This candidate must then pass the certification examination conducted by the Board of Certification (BOC). For additional information on becoming an certified athletic trainer please view the document Athletic Training Education Overview.

 

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Can I work with the US Military in an international setting as an ATC?

There is employment available overseas within the US military system.  To see what jobs are available, go to the MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation). Select a general occupation closely related to Athletic Training.

 

Also, visit the Council on Employment (COE).

 

Additional information on employment in the military is available at the Communication Resource Network.

 

Visit the new Armed Forces Athletic Trainers' Society (AFATS) that is focused on promoting the AT within the military structure.

 

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How can I become certified by the Canadian Athletic Therapists’ Association so I can work in Canada?

In 2005, the BOC and the Canadian Athletic Therapists’ Association (CATA) developed a Mutual Recognition Agreement.  This agreement allows BOC certified athletic trainers in good standing to sit for the CATA (Canadian Athletic Therapists) examination.  CATA membership as a Temporary International Candidate is required.

 

Complete exam information is available by visiting the CATA website: click on the link Mutual Recognition Arrangement.

 

Working in Canada

For non-Canadian citizens, Canada requires a valid work permit for temporary employment.  Reference the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website for further details.   

 

In special situations, you may be able to work temporarily in Canada without holding a work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). 


What is the WFATT?

WFATT is the World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy. It is a coalition of national organizations of health care professionals in the fields of sport exercise, injury/illness prevention and treatment.  The WFATT seeks to promote the highest quality for health care and functional activity through the collaborative efforts of its members with a vision to promote quality health care worldwide to active populations. The NATA is a Charter Member of WFATT.
www.wfatt.org


As an ATC living overseas, how can I meet the annual Emergency Cardiac Care Requirement of the Board of Certification?

Acceptable ECC providers are those adhering to the most current International Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care. The two most common courses that meet these requirements are:

* CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer through the American Red Cross

* BLS Healthcare Provider through the American Heart Association

* Please note that other courses offered by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association may not meet all of the above requirements.


I do not have access to a medical library, where can I gain access to full-text journal articles so I can provide evidence-based care to my patients?

There are a number of free sites that are full-text or that have full-text journal articles available. Some may have 6 months to a year embargo on free full-text.

  1. PubMed:
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/
    Go to the "limits" tab and check the box for "Links to Free Full Text".

  2. Medscape:
    http://www.Medscape.com
    The orthopedic section includes some selected full-text articles from a couple of sports medicine journals.

  3. Free Medical Journals:
    http://www.freemedicaljournals.com/
    Here you can find the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the Physician and Sports Medicine, etc… under the "sports medicine" specialty area.

  4. Free Books for Doctors:
    http://www.freebooks4doctors.com/
    Has medical texts and articles.

  5. Directory of Open Access Journals:
    http://www.doaj.org
    Has 12 sports medicine journals in various languages.

  6. HighWire Press at Stanford University:
    http://highwire.stanford.edu/lists/freeart.dtl
    This also has a separate list for non US/Canadian users as well as free full text articles for health professionals from developing or "low income" countries : http://highwire.stanford.edu/lists/devecon.dtl





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