Position Overview
The Head Athletic Trainer serves as the primary health care administrator, overseeing the intercollegiate sports medicine program at Merrimack College. The Head Athletic Trainer supervises the athletic training staff, including hiring, training and evaluating assistant athletic trainers, graduate assistants, students and interns. This individual is responsible for the prevention, evaluation, management, and rehabilitation of injuries sustained by participation in intercollegiate athletes. In addition, the head athletic trainer performs professional and administrative services essential for the successful implementation and development of the sports medicine program; monitors the athletic department’s health and safety practices to ensure compliance with NCAA Division I legislation. This full-time position works in accordance with the rules, regulations and policies set forth by the NCAA, the Northeast Conference (NEC), Hockey East Association, additional athletic conferences (if applicable), as well as Merrimack College. Opportunity exists to work as the primary athletic trainer for a hockey or basketball program, in addition to other team assignments.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Develops the overall sports medicine program including: injury prevention, injury evaluations, injury management, injury treatment and rehabilitation, educational programs and counseling for student-athletes.
- Provides athletic training services including attendance at scheduled team practices and home and away competitions as necessary.
- Works with designated teams and student-athletes to provide onsite care and management of injuries and illnesses including: emergency/acute care, clinical evaluation and diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, modalities application, referral, and educational counseling related to the student athlete’s overall wellness.
- Thinks critically and makes independent decisions regarding the assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and return to play decisions per state of MA licensure guidelines.
- Assesses risk of injury; performs ergonomic evaluation and coaching, self-care implementation and overall wellness promotion.
- Trains and supervises athletic training staff, including interns, graduate assistants and students. Resolves personnel and operational issues.
- Oversees the scheduling and coordination of athletic training services for all team practices and athletic competitions; communicates coverage plan in an effective and efficient manner.
- Works in conjunction with the strength and conditioning staff to ensure safety in the design and implementation of conditioning, nutrition, injuries and rehabilitation, treatment plans and programming for specific individuals.
- Collaborates with campus-based clinical mental health counselors to provide mental health support services for student-athletes.
- Evaluates and recommends new techniques/equipment to enhance sports medicine.
- Maintains written/electronic documentation of all athletic injuries/conditions, treatment, rehabilitation and progress notes, including physician referrals and insurance claims.
- Communicates with team physicians and coaches regarding student-athlete injuries and healthcare.
- Teaches skills and competencies to students in the Athletic Training Education Program; serves as a preceptor for students as assigned by the School of Health Sciences.
- Fosters and maintains a culture that demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as well as trust, mutual respect and belonging.
- Fosters and maintains a culture that demonstrates a commitment to NCAA rules compliance, Northeast Conference (NEC), Hockey East and additional conference(s) rules as well as institutional policies.
- Represents Merrimack Athletics with the highest level of professionalism and integrity.
- Participates in department activities including staff meetings, compliance education, diversity, equity and inclusion training, and other events/meetings as applicable.
- Adheres to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Code of Ethics.
- Fulfills other specific areas of responsibility related to Merrimack sports medicine, as assigned.
Educational Training:
- Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
- Knowledge of NCAA DI rules and intercollegiate athletics
- Commitment to and experience with diversity, equity and inclusion best practices, especially in higher education
- Commitment to supporting the academic success and overall well-being of student-athletes
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Applied Knowledge: Knowledge of a large range of medical issues/problems. Assessment, evaluation skills and working with other healthcare professionals will be required.
- Decision-Making Skills: Ability to think critically and make independent decisions regarding the assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and return to play decisions per state licensure guidelines.
- Attention to Detail: Commitment to details regarding injury tracking and documentation.
- Interpersonal Skills: Ability to communicate effectively in high stress/pressure situation when talking to student-athletes, coaches, medical professionals, staff and families.
- Organizational Skills: Ability to organize, prioritize and perform multiple tasks with little or no supervision.
- Ability to travel with athletic teams to away contests as necessary
- Ability to work during the day as well as non-traditional hours in the evening, on weekends and on holidays, as necessary
Experience:
- Athletic training experience in a collegiate setting is preferred
- Experience working with high impact and non-impact sports is preferred
License Requirements:
- BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
- Massachusetts State License – Athletic Training
Application Materials Should Include:
- Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission, our values, and our desire to be a more diverse, equitable and inclusive institution of higher learning
- Resume
This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.
Vaccinations and Work Location
This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.
The COVID-19 vaccine and booster for which an individual may be eligible are highly recommended for students, faculty and staff. Merrimack College does not require proof of COVID vaccination for enrollment, employment or to be a guest on our campus.
Statement on Our Mission
Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building a culturally and racially diverse community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.
Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission and values and advance our work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. All candidates should describe in their application previous experience related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as how they will engage in fostering a culture that supports our Catholic and Augustinian mission and our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.
About Merrimack College
The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students from 32 states and 37 countries. The College features more than 100 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has five schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, the Winston school of education and social policy and the Girard school of business. The College’s suburban 240-acre campus is approximately 25 miles north of Boston in the towns of North Andover and Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 33rd in the Regional Universities North category in 2024. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.
Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
