Sports Medicine Physicians

What the job really is

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries that occur during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-1229
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Diagnose or treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
• Order and interpret the results of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging procedures.
• Advise against injured athletes returning to games or competition if resuming activity could lead to further injury.
• Record athletes' medical care information, and maintain medical records.
• Record athletes' medical histories, and perform physical examinations.
• Examine and evaluate athletes prior to participation in sports activities to determine level of physical fitness or predisposition to injuries.
• Coordinate sports care activities with other experts, including specialty physicians and surgeons, athletic trainers, physical therapists, or coaches.
• Provide education and counseling on illness and injury prevention.
• Participate in continuing education activities to improve and maintain knowledge and skills.
• Advise athletes, trainers, or coaches to alter or cease sports practices that are potentially harmful.
• Inform coaches, trainers, or other interested parties regarding the medical conditions of athletes.
• Examine, evaluate and treat athletes who have been injured or who have medical problems such as exercise-induced asthma.

Tools and technology

Epic Systems, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Word, eClinicalWorks EHR software, 3D motion analysis software, Adjustable crutches, Allscripts PM, Automated external defibrillators AED, Automatic Data Processing AdvancedMD EHR, Benchmark Systems Benchmark Clinical EHR, Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
• Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
• Pediatric Surgeons
• General Internal Medicine Physicians
• Emergency Medicine Physicians
• Cardiologists
• Podiatrists
• Chiropractors

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Sports Medicine Physicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.