Sports Medicine Physicians
Overview
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Overview
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Job Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Examples
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians.
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries that occur during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities.
Demand
Core Tasks
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.
Advise athletes, trainers, or coaches to alter or cease sports practices that are potentially harmful.
Participate in continuing education activities to improve and maintain knowledge and skills.
Provide education and counseling on illness and injury prevention.
Examine, evaluate and treat athletes who have been injured or who have medical problems such as exercise-induced asthma.
Inform coaches, trainers, or other interested parties regarding the medical conditions of athletes.
Supervise the rehabilitation of injured athletes.
Refer athletes for specialized consultation, physical therapy, or diagnostic testing.
Prescribe medications for the treatment of athletic-related injuries.
Attend games and competitions to provide evaluation and treatment of activity-related injuries or medical conditions.
Develop and test procedures for dealing with emergencies during practices or competitions.
Inform athletes about nutrition, hydration, dietary supplements, or uses and possible consequences of medication.
Advise coaches, trainers, or physical therapists on the proper use of exercises and other therapeutic techniques and alert them to potentially dangerous practices.
Observe and evaluate athletes' mental well-being.
Conduct research in the prevention or treatment of injuries or medical conditions related to sports and exercise.
Select and prepare medical equipment or medications to be taken to athletic competition sites.
Prescribe orthotics, prosthetics, and adaptive equipment.
Evaluate and manage chronic pain conditions.
Develop and prescribe exercise programs such as off-season conditioning regimens.
Provide coaches and therapists with assistance in selecting and fitting protective equipment.
Advise athletes on how substances, such as herbal remedies, could affect drug testing results.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Medicine and Dentistry
100%
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Biology
83%
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
English Language
82%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
71%
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Administration and Management
69%
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Education and Training
67%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Psychology
58%
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Chemistry
56%
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Sales and Marketing
53%
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Personnel and Human Resources
52%
Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Top 10 Skills
Reading Comprehension
90%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
88%
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
85%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making
83%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring
83%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking
80%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning
78%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Complex Problem Solving
78%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Social Perceptiveness
78%
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Instructing
75%
Teaching others how to do something.
Top 10 Abilities
Oral Comprehension
90%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Problem Sensitivity
90%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Oral Expression
88%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Comprehension
88%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Inductive Reasoning
85%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Deductive Reasoning
83%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Written Expression
83%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Speech Clarity
80%
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Near Vision
75%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Speech Recognition
75%
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Top 10 Work Activities
Assisting and Caring for Others
100%
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
99%
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Getting Information
94%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
94%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
91%
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Analyzing Data or Information
90%
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Documenting/Recording Information
89%
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
89%
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Training and Teaching Others
87%
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
86%
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Detailed Work Activities
Diagnose medical conditions.
Treat chronic diseases or disorders.
Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
Order medical diagnostic or clinical tests.
Record patient medical histories.
Examine patients to assess general physical condition.
Evaluate patient functioning, capabilities, or health.
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
Maintain medical or professional knowledge.
Advise athletes, coaches, or trainers on exercise regimens, nutrition, or equipment use.
Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries.
Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.
Prescribe medications.
Develop emergency procedures.
Select medical equipment for addressing patient needs.
Prepare medications or medical solutions.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.
Prescribe assistive medical devices or related treatments.
Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.
Develop exercise or conditioning programs.
Prescribe treatments or therapies.
Advise patients on effects of health conditions or treatments.
Work Context
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Electronic Mail
How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
Education
Majors based on the broader career Physicians, All Other
Major
Interests
Investigative
96%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Social
86%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Realistic
67%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Artistic
34%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Conventional
29%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising
19%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Top 10 Work Styles
Integrity
99%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Concern for Others
98%
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Attention to Detail
96%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
96%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Cooperation
94%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Initiative
92%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Achievement/Effort
89%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
88%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
87%
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Leadership
87%
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Work Values
Achievement
91%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
91%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Working Conditions
89%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence
86%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Relationships
77%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
72%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
