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For the psychologists who do end up working for a team,
the issue of time management arises. Traveling with a team or
having to be
on call
can cut into their own time for family or
relaxation.
As with other positions in sports medicine, the salaries
for psychologists can vary widely. Working at a university, they
might earn between $60,000 and $100,000. In a private practice,
the salary depends on how many clients the doctor can attract
and how much those clients can afford to pay.
Whether you choose to become a physical therapist, sports
doctor, or sports psychologist, you will have the chance to be part
of what you are passionate about: sports. But you have to make
sure you consider that just because you are part of the sports
world, does not mean that it’s all fun and games. Especially for
people in health careers in sports, the pressure can be significant.
Athletes want to get back on the field, while team managers can
put pressure on medical people to do their work faster. It’s an
important part of your job as the health professional to put the
needs of the athlete—your patient—above the needs of the team.
Once you put on the coat of a health professional, you leave your
cap with your favorite team logo behind.
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Health Careers in Sports