Sports Medicine Physicians

• 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.
• 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.
• Inform athletes about nutrition, hydration, dietary supplements, or uses and possible consequences of medication.
• Develop and test procedures for dealing with emergencies during practices or competitions.
• Attend games and competitions to provide evaluation and treatment of activity-related injuries or medical conditions.
• 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.
• Select and prepare medical equipment or medications to be taken to athletic competition sites.
• Conduct research in the prevention or treatment of injuries or medical conditions related to sports and exercise.
• 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.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Sports Medicine Physicians.

• Active Listening - 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 - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Sports Medicine Physicians.