Head Athletic Trainer

Adams State University is seeking a Head Athletic Trainer. As a direct report to the Director of Athletics this is a full time 12 month at-will position. The fundamental responsibilities of the Head Athletic Trainer position includes managing all aspects of the Athletic Training room.

Specific Responsibilities

Responsible for all aspects of the Adams State athletic training program.

Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate athletic training staff including assistant athletic trainer, Intern Athletic Trainers, student assistants, and volunteers.

Establish and maintain work schedules, coordinate staff meetings, and establish priority of daily and weekly tasks.

Write and update policies and procedures for individuals, facilities, treatment, and activity areas by referring to established safety and legal guidelines, NATA Role Delineation Study, and best practices.

Use electronic medical records system to log all injuries, treatments, and pertinent information (ATS)

Responsible for purchase of and inventory of all ATR supplies and equipment Select, apply and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions using evidence-based practices to guide decisions (e.g., manual therapy, stretching, strengthening exercises, proprioceptive activities, agility training, cardiovascular training, sports specific training, therapeutic modalities, etc.).

Recommend, fit and apply braces, splints and assistive devices to facilitate the patient recovery.

Assess the patient's functional status, interpret the results and determine ability to return to activity.

Recognize the role of medications in the recovery process. Provide patient education necessary to facilitate recovery.

Perform a comprehensive examination of the patient with an orthopedic injury or medical condition (e.g., medical history, physical examination, differential diagnosis, and referral).

Create a treatment plan.

Communicate the nature of examination and treatment plan to patient and other involved health care personnel, respecting the privacy of the patient.

Serve as the primary drug testing administrator or designate another certified athletic trainer in absence. All through DrugFree sport

Work collaboratively with strength and conditioning staff to design and implement conditioning programs (flexibility, strength, cardiovascular fitness) to reduce the risk of injury and illness.

Design and implement emergency action plans to ensure medical personnel are prepared in an emergency situation.

Obtain and interpret environmental (e.g., ambient temperature, relative humidity, heat index, lightning) and patient data (e.g., hydration status) to make appropriate recommendations for patient safety and the continuance or suspension of activity.

Educate patients and coaches on the importance of acclimatization and fluid and electrolyte balance in the prevention of heat illness.

Inspect facilities to ensure they are free of hazards, are sanitary, and that equipment is maintained properly.

Select, apply, evaluate and modify prophylactic and protective equipment and other custom devices for patients to minimize the risk of injury or re-injury.

Educate and advise patients regarding the nutritional aspects of physical activity.

Educate patients, coaches, administrators on signs/symptoms of concussions and athletic department concussion management plan. As well as conduct CPR training for Athletic Department staff.

Educate and train coaches and administrators on the Emergency Action Plan. Provide mental health education for prevention and care. Assist the athletic department administration in Alcohol, Smoking, and Other Drug (ATOD) education for student-athletes.

Perform an initial assessment of the patient to determine his/her level of consciousness and the severity of the condition.

Implement appropriate emergency injury and illness management strategies following a pre-established emergency action plan (e.g., CPR, AED, splinting, use of spine board, control of bleeding, control of body temperature, use of epinephrine for anaphylaxis, etc.).

Perform a secondary assessment and employ the appropriate management strategies for non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses.

Formulate a differential diagnosis based on the results of the initial and/or secondary assessment(s).

Communicate the nature of the injury or illness and the resulting treatment plan to the patient and other involved health care personnel, respecting the privacy of the patient.

Oversee Adam’s State athletic health care administration and delivery, as defined by the NCAA Independent Medical Care Legislation Division I Constitution 3.2.4.16, Division II Constitution 3.3.4.17.

Serve as the primary point of contact to assure Adam’s State is compliant with NCAA health and safety legislation and inter-association recommendations.

Primary areas of focus include being aware of all NCAA health and safety-related legislation, inter-association recommendations and resources; sharing health and safety legislation, inter-association recommendations and resources with stakeholders within the athletic department and ca pus; and monitoring the athletic department's health and safety policies and practices to ensure compliance with NCAA legislation and establish consistency with inter-association best practice guidance.

Coordinating with physicians/medical personnel on care of student-athletes. Including local PT’s, PA’s, Chiropractors, etc.