What are the responsibilities and job description for the Athletic Trainer position at Danville Public Schools?
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
The Athletic Trainer will oversee and manage the district’s athletic training program. This pivotal role is responsible for delivering comprehensive healthcare services to student-athletes, including injury prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and emergency medical care for both acute and chronic conditions.
The Athletic Trainer will be instrumental in ensuring athlete safety, promoting injury prevention strategies, and supporting recovery efforts. They will collaborate closely with coaches, athletes, and other stakeholders to provide expert guidance on safe training practices and effective recovery techniques. In addition, this role will contribute to health education initiatives within the school community, empowering students with lifelong wellness and self-care skills. This position reports directly to the Athletic Director.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Perform initial assessments of injuries and illnesses in athletes to provide emergency care or determine the need for further medical treatment from a physician.
- Provide ongoing care and rehabilitation for athletic injuries, ensuring athletes are safely able to return to play.
- Evaluate and assess athletes’ readiness to participate in sports, providing participation clearance when necessary.
- Apply injury-preventive devices, such as tape, bandages, and braces, to athletes as required.
- Track and report on the progress of injured athletes to coaches, athletes, and medical professionals.
- Advise athletes on the proper use of sports equipment to prevent injury.
- Develop and implement comprehensive injury prevention programs for athletes.
- Create and administer training routines designed to enhance athletic performance and reduce risk of injury.
- Attend all home games, Varsity Football games, and any other events designated by the Athletic Director.
- Demonstrate non-discriminatory practices in all athletic-related activities.
- Provide the Athletic Director with an annual budget for supplies and equipment.
- Conduct injury prevention workshops for student-athletes, coaches, and parents.
- Develop and implement individualized injury prevention plans for athletes.
- Provide pre-season baseline concussion screenings and post-injury follow-up assessments.
- Monitor athletes’ return-to-play protocols following injuries.
- Assist coaches in developing strength and conditioning programs to improve athletic performance and prevent injuries.
- Supervise weight room usage, ensuring safety protocols are followed.
- Offer training sessions on proper form, technique, and recovery.
- Serve as a guest speaker for health/PE classes, teaching students about sports safety, nutrition, injury recovery, and overall wellness.
- Collaborate with teachers on developing sports medicine or health-related curricula for students interested in athletic training or medical fields.
- Mentor students interested in sports medicine careers via shadowing opportunities.
- Assist with maintaining detailed athlete health records and updating medical forms.
- Develop emergency response plans for athletic injuries during games and practices.
- Inventory and manage athletic training supplies and equipment.
- Coordinate with healthcare providers for athletes needing external medical care.
- Support middle schools by providing occasional injury consultations or screenings.
- Offer workshops for coaches and PE teachers on injury management and emergency care protocols.
- Assist in the coordination of district-wide athletic events or tournaments (e.g., safety checklists, injury response).
- Hold quarterly informational sessions for parents about sports safety, injury prevention, and proper nutrition.
- Partner with local physical therapy or medical professionals to offer student-athletes access to additional care.
- Assist in organizing sports safety events or health fairs for the community.
- Assist with the planning and running of the Aquatics Center.
- Assist with the maintenance of the pool.
- Maintain records of chemicals.
- Maintain pool equipment
- Perform other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and best practices related to health and safety in athletics.
- Proficiency in administering acute treatment protocols based on injury assessments and clinical findings.
- Expertise in providing hands-on services for student-athletes, including injury treatment, rehabilitation, and emergency first response.
- Familiarity with current research, trends, and best practices in athletic training and sports medicine.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with school administrators, athletic coaches, parents, and community members to ensure adherence to system-wide health and safety expectations.
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to conduct effective meetings with various stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and adjust quickly to changing demands.
- Capability to plan and implement procedures to promote the health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes, coaches, and other stakeholders.
- Strong organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Must be a Board of Certification (BOC) certified athletic trainer and licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Certification in CPR, AED, and First Aid required.
- Thorough knowledge of Virginia High School League (VHSL) regulations and other governing bodies' rules related to high school athletics.
- Proven ability to maintain accurate records and prepare necessary reports related to athletic training.
- Excellent organizational, leadership, and communication skills are essential.
- Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with students, parents, staff, and the community.
- Must be eligible for a Virginia teaching license with an endorsement in Sports Medicine.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Physical Requirements:
Physical Requirements:
Must be capable of operating various equipment, including computers, copiers, and calculators, as well as driving a motor vehicle.
Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and consistently apply minimal force to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects, including the human body.
This role involves light physical activity, often requiring significant walking or standing.
Data Conception:
Ability to compare, evaluate, and assess observable characteristics of data, people, or things, determining their functional or structural similarities and differences.
Interpersonal Communication:
Ability to effectively communicate with others, providing instructions, assignments, or directions to subordinates and assistants.
Language Skills:
Ability to read and comprehend a wide range of materials, including reports, schedules, forms, manuals, invoices, and journals.
Ability to prepare documents such as reports, evaluations, procedures, charts, surveys, and budgets, adhering to proper grammar, punctuation, and style.
Must be able to speak confidently and clearly to large groups.
Cognitive Abilities:
Ability to apply logical or scientific principles to define problems, gather data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Must be able to interpret complex technical instructions and manage abstract or concrete variables.
Verbal Aptitude:
Ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions.
Must communicate effectively in various technical or professional languages, such as legal, medical, accounting, and marketing terminology.
Numerical Skills:
Ability to use mathematical formulas to perform operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and apply principles of algebra and geometry.
Spatial Aptitude:
Ability to inspect objects for correct length, width, and shape.
Motor Coordination:
Ability to coordinate hand and eye movements quickly and accurately when using office equipment.
Manual Dexterity:
Ability to handle different office equipment and tools, requiring minimal eye/hand/foot coordination.
Color Differentiation:
Ability to distinguish between different colors and shades.
Interpersonal Temperament:
Ability to work with people in various situations, beyond simply following instructions.
Must be adaptable to stressful and emergency situations.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
12 months (260 days); at least 8 hours per day
DISCLAIMER
This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements. It is neither intended to be, nor should it be construed as, an all-inclusive list of the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. Administration reserves the right to modify, assign, or remove duties as necessary.
Created: March 3, 2025