Athletic Trainer

Harvard University is the largest intercollegiate athletic department in the country with 42 varsity sports and approximately 1,200 varsity student-athletes. Harvard has long valued the lessons taught by athletic participation: the pursuit of excellence through personal development and teamwork, ethical and responsible behavior on and off the field, adherence to the spirit of rules as well as to their letter, leadership and strength of character, acceptance of victory with humility and acknowledgement of defeat with grace. In addition, Harvard Athletics believes in building community through the engagement of students, faculty, staff, and alumni and creates an environment in which neighboring communities can enjoy the Harvard experience.

The Athletic trainer works as part of Harvard University Health Services (HUHS). This position provides athletic training services to inter-collegiate athletes to ensure quality medical care, prevention, and treatment of injuries/illness. Persons must have the ability to make independent decisions in the following areas: injury assessment, injury referrals, injury care management, return to play, emergency care, communication, and administration under the supervision of the Associate Director of Sports Medicine, Associate Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Health and Performance and Team Physicians. This position requires the ability to work with strength & conditioning staff, sport coaches, athletic administration, Harvard University Health Services staff, and team physicians. Persons must possess the skills necessary to multi-task, communicate effectively with student-athletes and other parties mentioned above, complete tasks on time, and plan effective strategies to manage multiple teams and student-athletes. A staff athletic trainer is generally assigned to support specific varsity sports with various administrative responsibilities. This is a 12-month position.

MEDICAL CARE AND SUPPORT TO INTER-COLLEGIATE VARSITY ATHLETES:

Coordinates medical care of intercollegiate student-athletes consistent with the Harvard University Athletic Training Guidelines. Care includes the prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation and return to play decisions of injuries and/or illnesses. Makes independent and appropriate decisions regarding therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercises, manual therapy treatments and return to play. Supports assigned varsity teams; available for walk in care; supports special events as assigned. Implements measures to prevent injuries and prepare athletes for practice and competition, including taping, bracing, therapeutic exercise, movement screens, and wearable technology. Refers student-athletes to team physicians as appropriate and to implements physicians’ instructions regarding management of athletic injuries. Communicates professionally and effectively across a large, diverse population including, but not limited to, all student-athletes, athletic training staff, athletic training students, physicians, dietitian, mental health clinicians, coaches, and other sports medicine umbrella practitioners. Must be able to make appropriate decisions regarding the sports medicine emergency action plans and carry out plans for each athletic venue.

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