Position Description:

The Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine/Head Athletic Trainer provides overall leadership to, and ensures the integration of, Sports Medicine (including the relationship with team physicians and oversight of all athletic trainers), Strength and Conditioning, Student-Athlete Insurance, Nutrition, and Mental Health Services. Compliance with NCAA, Missouri Valley Conference, University policies, and legal requirements related to student-athlete well-being is a critical aspect of the position. In addition, this position will serve as the primary athletic trainer for the Men’s Basketball Program.

Major Responsibilities:

• Develop programs for the delivery of integrated and comprehensive health care, mental health, strength and conditioning, sport science, and nutrition services for Valparaiso University student‐athletes who participate on 18 intercollegiate sport programs, including, but not limited to:
  • Assure processes are in place for appropriate Pre‐Participation evaluation and screening of student‐athletes;
  • Ensure prompt, effective, and coordinated emergency care for acute injuries;
  • Oversee and train staff that works to prevent, evaluate, manage, treat and rehabilitate athletic injuries – including forming relationships with team physicians and specialists who will provide world-class treatment to our student-athletes;
  • Provide nutrition education and enhancement and serve as a differentiator in recruiting;
  • Ensure sport‐specific strength and conditioning and performance optimization;
  • Develop a plan to provide mental health services that spans the spectrum of care ranging from debilitating emotional distress to performance optimization;
  • Create comprehensive rest, recovery, and regeneration strategies and initiatives;
  • Create a program for lifetime wellness services for student‐athletes;
•  Assess training loads, neuromuscular fatigue, athlete readiness, and other performance factors;
  •  Evaluate technology related to sports science, recordkeeping and other and make recommendations regarding the adoption of such technology
  • Recruit, retain and evaluate exceptional athletic training, strength & conditioning, and nutrition personnel; establish and maintain continuing education to include requirements of relevant certification and licensing for all
    team members
  • Provide oversight to the medical insurance program for student-athletes, including strategic review and creation of long-term plan to contain costs; serve as the liaison to the third-party administrator and insurance broker
  • Supervise the organization, administration, and maintenance of documentation and record keeping, including the use of electronic medical records as appropriate, and preserving confidentiality in compliance with HIPAA and/or
    FERPA
  • Oversee the maintenance, organization, administration, inventory, and staffing of athletic training and strength and conditioning facilities 
  • Evaluate and implement academic programs that are a mutual benefit to the wellbeing of student-athletes and the academic pursuits of faculty and students, such as in sport science and data analytics
  • Develop, implement and regularly review all policies and procedures pertaining to student-athlete health and performance, and monitor and ensure compliance with all policies and procedures of the NCAA, the MVC, and Valparaiso University

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Minimum of a Master’s degree in exercise science, kinesiology, health care administration, or related field required
• 3-5 years of experience working with integrated high performance and high-level athletes
• Detail-oriented, organized and an ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact with a diverse group of internal and external constituents
• Adherence to professional standards of care, NCAA and member conference rules and regulations
• The successful candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background check
• The successful candidate will be required to obtain First Aid, CPR, motor vehicle safety certification, and other job-related certifications

Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to cultural diversity and the ability to work with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds.

All offers of employment with Valparaiso University are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks may include criminal history, motor vehicle reports, prior employment verification, and personal/professional references. If applicable to the position, background checks will also include credit history. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates for employment.

To be considered for this position, you must upload:

• Cover letter

• Resume

• List of 3 professional references

• Answer all application questions

Please address the cover letter to:

Merce Poindexter, Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Welfare & Compliance

Valparaiso University