Athletic Trainer (Men's Basketball)

About Vanderbilt Health

Vanderbilt Health, the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system, includes eight hospitals and over 180 clinics. It is dedicated to moving medicine forward through world‑class patient care, education, and research, fostering a collaborative and supportive community where expertise is valued and uniqueness celebrated.

Job Summary

The Certified Athletic Trainer will support the Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball program as the primary healthcare provider for assigned student‑athletes, delivering injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and return‑to‑play services. Working under the Director of Sports Medicine, the role collaborates with team physicians, performance specialists, strength and conditioning professionals, and VUMC experts.

Schedule

Full‑Time | 40 Hours/Week | Variable hours including evenings, weekends, holidays, and team travel.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary Athletic Trainer for the Men’s Basketball program, providing coverage for practices, competitions, strength and conditioning activities, and team travel.
• Evaluate, treat, and manage athletic injuries and medical conditions in accordance with established sports medicine protocols.
• Develop and implement injury prevention, rehabilitation, and return‑to‑participation programs.
• Coordinate care with team physicians, Vanderbilt University Medical Center specialists, and other healthcare providers.
• Collaborate with strength and conditioning, nutrition, mental health, and performance staff to support student‑athlete health and performance goals.
• Maintain accurate medical documentation and athlete health records.
• Assist with emergency preparedness planning and provide immediate care during practices and competitions.
• Educate student‑athletes on injury prevention, recovery strategies, and overall wellness.
• Ensure compliance with NCAA, SEC, Vanderbilt Athletics, and applicable healthcare regulations and standards.
• Travel with the team as required throughout the competitive season.
• Support departmental initiatives and perform other duties as assigned.
• Collaborate in establishing athletic training and sports medicine services, plan of care; coordinate and implement care delivery while anticipating athlete needs.
• Analyze comprehensive information to determine functional capabilities within defined activity levels.
• Employ strategies to promote health and a safe environment.
• Help coordinate and implement care delivery.
• Operate motor vehicles to provide on‑site support at various locations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training or related field (required); Master’s degree preferred.
• Current Board of Certification (BOC) certification as an Athletic Trainer.
• Eligible for or currently licensed as an Athletic Trainer in the State of Tennessee.
• One year of certified athletic training experience in collegiate athletics, sports medicine, or a related athletic environment preferred.
• Current CPR/AED certification.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel as necessary to support team activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting basketball athletes or other competitive athletic populations.
• Experience in collegiate athletics, professional sports, sports medicine clinics, or comparable environments.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary sports medicine and performance team.
• Demonstrated commitment to student‑athlete health, safety, and development.

Technical Capabilities

• Athletic Training (Fundamental Awareness): limited experience, training, direct exposure, or past experience working with athletic training.
• Patient Education (Novice): sufficient fundamental proficiency in providing patient education in practical applications of moderate difficulty.
• Patient Documentation (Fundamental Awareness): limited experience, training, direct exposure, or past experience working with patient documentation.
• Treatment Implementation (Fundamental Awareness): proficiency in providing treatment consistent with physician prescription and established plan of care; ability to modify the plan as needed; may supervise volunteers and students; selects and follows correct protocol and utilizes evidence‑based treatments.

Core Accountabilities

• Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with understanding of how output affects other areas, with occasional guidance.
• Problem Solving/Complexity of Work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment.
• Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area.
• Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team