The Athletic Trainer is responsible for assisting in oversight of athletic health care operations to ensure optimal efficiency and effectiveness across many areas. This position is dedicated to the continuous assessment of student-athlete needs and provides a comprehensive, integrated approach to student-athlete health and well-being that mirrors Life University’s emphasis on health and wellness within a vitalistic philosophy. As a member of the support staff team, sound leadership presence is required. The Athletic Trainer performs responsibilities in alignment with the department vision of being a leading institution in performance and meaningful student-athlete experience, and consistently demonstrates valued behaviors of respect, grit, constant growth, and integrity.
Essential Position Functions
- Abide by the Athletic Department Policy and Procedures and the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) standards and practices for Life’s athletes.
- Provide coverage for home and away games along with practices as assigned.
- Supervise and maintain the athletic training room when the Director of Athletic Care is not present to meet the needs of the student-athletes.
- Serve as a liaison between the student-athlete, his/her parents, the coach, and the medical community in matters relative to the prevention, care, and management of athletic-related injuries and illnesses.
- Assist the visiting athletic teams with the necessary athletic training and medical needs.
- Plan, implement, and monitor the rehabilitation of injured student-athletes.
- Maintain the privacy of an athlete’s health information and explain how, when and why we would disclose an athlete’s protected health information.
- Attend on-campus athletic training clinics with the team physician.
- Maintain a file on the medical history of all student-athletes, which includes a formal medical history form, warning letters, emergency medical information, daily injury reports, daily treatment records, physician referrals, release records, physician notes, operative notes, and rehabilitative notes.
- Maintain an awareness of each student-athletes insurance coverage and make sure proper protocol and procedures are followed to ensure payment by the insurance company.
- Assist, as needed, in processing all insurance forms for medical fees and charges concerning sports-related injuries to student-athletes.
- Keep the Assistant Director of Athletic Health Care aware of equipment and supply needs.
- Provide advice and counsel student-athletes regarding the emergency treatments required for non-athletic/athletic injuries and illnesses.
- Make decisions relative to the participation of student-athletes in practices and competitions based on his/her examination of the injury/illness, information from the physician, sports chiropractors and other pertinent information relative to the injury/illness.
- Perform drug testing as outlined in the Department of Athletics Drug Education and Testing policy.
- Maintain current national and state licensure and certification requirements.
- Maintain knowledge of contemporary athletic training issues by participating in continuing education activities to provide an appropriate standard of care.
- Other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletic Health Care or Director of Athletics.
