Head Athletic Trainer

Job Title: Head Athletic TrainerDepartment: TrainingReports to: Director, Player Performance & HealthManages: Assistant Athletic Trainers (3), Athletic Trainer/Athletic Performance Liaisons (2), Massage Therapists (2) Position Summary: The Head Athletic Trainer is tasked with overseeing the day-to-day operations in the Lakersâ training room to ensure our players receive individualized care to optimize performance. The Head Athletic Trainer provides injury prevention strategies, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation for playersâ medical issues. This position reports to the Director, Player Performance & Health and works closely with the front office, team physicians and staff in strength and conditioning, physical therapy, coaching, nutrition, mental health practitioners and analytics.

Essential Functions (Duties & Responsibilities): ·       Provide athletic training and oversee onsite care, monitoring and management of player injuries and illnesses; implement customized preventative strategies of injury prevention for each player based on evidence based best practices·       Supervise and support training staff to ensure smoothly functioning training room; work closely with the front office, team physicians, performance, physical therapy, strength & conditioning, analytics, nutrition and coaching staff, along with mental health practitioners to ensure optimal player health and performance·       Run the day-to-day operations of the training room including setting training room hours and staffing, communicating daily schedule to players and staff, and working with training staff to maintain inventory and required supplies to operate training room ·       Responsible for overseeing and entering of accurate and timely documentation of all player treatments into EMR daily; assist with collection of medical data·       Produce and provide accurate and timely reports on player health and injuries·       Work closely with Director, Player Performance & Health and team physicians to report on player injuries and appointments, medically clear players, provide players with medical counseling and necessary referrals ·       Communicate and work in partnership within training team and others in strength & conditioning, performance, physical therapy, coaching, and front office, to guide players through injury prevention, corrective exercises, return to play programs, and other reconditioning and performance training·       Manage and oversee emergency medical response protocols and trainings, CPR, First Aid and other medical interventions; ensure AED and other relevant equipment is up-to-date, with all certifications current ·       Maintain a clean, organized and safe training room and work environment·       Evaluate vendors of equipment and technology; help to identify products that would be valuable for players ·       Attend training camp, all practices, all home and away preseason, regular season and playoff games. Attend Summer League as needed.·       Adhere to all team and League rules and reporting, including  Random Preseason Drug Testing and Health and Safety Protocols·       Complete administrative and other duties as assigned

Education: ·       Bachelorâs degree in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or similar field (required)·       Masterâs degree in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or similar field (required)

Credentials & Certifications: ·       Current certification as an Athletic Trainer by the NATABOC  required·       Current CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications required ·       Other related credentials and certifications preferred, such as: Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES), Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

Previous Experience: ·       A minimum of eight (8) years work experience in an elite/pro sports setting as an athletic trainer required·       A minimum of five (5) years of work experience as a Head and/or Assistant Athletic Trainer, or equivalent experience preferred·       Experience with NBA teams or collegiate basketball teams preferred

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:·       Must have uncompromised ability to protect confidentiality/privacy of others and company documents and records·       Extensive knowledge of sports and general health related medical issues and appropriate treatment options; proficient in managing and executing emergency medical care·       Ability to think critically and make independent decisions regarding assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and return to play decisions; must be able to prioritize and effectively multitask as needed·       Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build and cultivate professional relationships, effectively lead and promote a positive team culture, and manage different personalities and skillsets from a staff and player perspective·       Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, including ability to communicate effectively with different audiences·       Competent in use of computer programs including EMR system, and Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel. Experience in athlete management system such as Smartabase preferred. ·       Must be thorough, timely and detailed with injury tracking and documentation; excellent organization, data collection, and planning skills·       Demonstrated ability to act with the utmost discretion and professionalism; must have ability to maintain professional appearance·       Reliable and flexible team player, both within own department and the company as a whole

Location: El Segundo (offices M-F), downtown Los Angeles (Crypto.com Arena for Lakers home games), away games, and other occasional off-site events 

Travel: Travel with team to all preseason, regular season, and post season away games, as well as California Classic and Summer League games; occasional other travel required

The pay range for this role is $250,000 to $280,000. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience and certifications
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.

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