POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Athletic Trainer, Athletic Training Services – West Plains
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5675
GRADE 44
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Associate Vice-Chancellor for Athletics and Community Engagement
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Athletic Trainer, Athletic Training Services – West Plains is responsible for the administration of injury/illness prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, treatment, disposition, and rehabilitation for student-athletes participating in the intercollegiate athletics program and enforces health care policies and procedures regarding medical insurance, physical examinations, and related activities for student-athletes. The Athletic Trainer follows risk management processes and communicates with parents, coaches, health care professionals, administrators, faculty, students, and student-athletes. The Athletic Trainer provides health care services specifically to designated sports and in general to all student athletes. The Athletic Trainer will also be responsible for creating and implementing strength and conditioning programs for Grizzly athletics.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine, Athletic Training, or a related field is required. A Master's degree in any of these fields or a related professional field is preferred. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.
Experience: At least one year of experience as a practicing National Athletic Trainer Association (NATA) Board of Certification (BOC) certified Athletic Trainer is required.
Skills: Strong oral and written communications skills as well as excellent interpersonal skills are required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Effort: Requires the capability to physically transport injured athletes (e.g., to the locker room, sidelines, clinic, ambulance,) in order to receive further medical care.
License: Must be certified by the BOC of the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and licensed by the Board of Healing Arts in the state of Missouri. Must maintain current certification in emergency cardiac care (ECC).
Other: The scope of the position requires frequent evening and weekend/holiday work as well as some overnight, out-of-town travel to accompany athletic teams to away contests.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Ensures that Athletic Training Services provides quality athlete care for student-athletes participating in the intercollegiate athletics program through management of all aspects of injury/illness prevention, recognition, evaluation, management, treatment, disposition, and rehabilitation, coordination of all medical health care efforts and providers necessary to support the intercollegiate athletics program, and administration of the daily operational requirements of the Athletic Training Services program.2. Enables student-athletes to return to full physical functioning by providing quality treatment which includes assessing the nature of their injuries, their range of motion, strength and other physical parameters, and making referrals to physicians as appropriate, enforcing the prescribed treatment protocols of physicians using all appropriate therapeutic modalities and exercises, and evaluating their rehabilitative progress.
3. Facilitates student-athletes compliance with prescribed rehabilitative treatments by educating them about the causes and nature of their injuries through the use of models or diagrams and measures they can take to prevent recurrences, providing a thorough explanation of the reasons for and functions of the rehabilitative therapies, assisting student-athletes in correct performance of the therapies and exercises, evaluating their progress during rehabilitation, and providing the student-athletes with feedback.
4. Minimizes institutional liability in the performance of athletic training services by maintaining proper and current licensure and practicing in accordance with the Missouri Board of Healing Arts.
5. Works closely and coordinates with area medical and professional personnel (e.g., physicians, dentists, pharmacists, chiropractors) who provide services to the Grizzly Athletics program for the overall preventative and rehabilitation health care program of Grizzly athletes. To include the execution of the campus’ athlete drug testing policy.
6. Maintains individual professional competence as required by NATA and expands the knowledge base and ability of the Athletic Training Service to serve the intercollegiate athletics program by taking advantage of professional development and continuing education opportunities, attending professional development seminars, workshops and related activities, reading the literature published in professional journals and texts, and sharing the information gathered from these professional activities with other staff professionals and student-athletes.
7. Assures compliance with federal (HIPAA, FERPA), state (practice acts), and NJCAA guidelines.
8. Manages risk through appropriate evaluation and procedures, diagnosis decisions, and emergency care decisions related to student athletes.
9. Serves as a liaison to parents, coaches, athletes, administrators, media, and health care providers concerning the health care and health status of student athletes through injury reports, medical and legal documentation, direct communication and prepared statements.
10. Works at all practices and events as assigned by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Community Engagement, including out-of-town events, which may occur at any time of day and on evenings, weekends, and holidays.
11. Works closely with coaches in performing strength and conditioning duties for all Grizzly athletic teams. Develops and monitors strength and conditioning program for each athlete to ensure peak athletic performance. Enables individuals to perform to their physical potential through the development and management of individual and group weight, strength, and fitness training programs. Develops programs by evaluating current physical conditioning and tailoring strength and fitness programs for specific needs. Demonstrates proper performance of exercises. Manages programs by monitoring athletes’ progress and providing an assessment of development.
12. Abides by and complies with National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) rules, academic standards, requirements, and policies of the University, and all guidelines and policies of the Athletics department and reports any concerns of compromise or violation of rules, standards, guidelines or policies to the Director of Athletics or the Associate Vice-Chancellor for Athletics and Community Engagement.
13. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
14. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, attending training and/or courses as required by the Associate Vice-Chancellor for Athletics and Community Engagement.
15. Contributes to the overall success of Athletic Training Services by performing other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Associate Vice-Chancellor for Athletics and Community Engagement.
SUPERVISION
The Athletic Trainer, Athletic Training Services is supervised by the Associate Vice-Chancellor for Athletics and Community Engagement.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
APRIL 2024