LA Kings - Head Athletic Trainer

About the role

The Los Angeles Kings are seeking a highly experienced and dedicated Head Athletic Trainer.

Responsibilities

• Injury Prevention & Readiness
• Implement comprehensive injury prevention protocols
• Conduct individualized assessments to identify and mitigate injury risk factors
• Manage all pre-game and practice preparation
• Serve as the primary emergency medical responder for training and competition
• Ensure all game day medical operations align with NHL and LA Kings protocols
• Evaluation, Treatment & Rehabilitation
• Provide immediate on-ice and bench-side evaluation and first aid for all acute injuries during games and practices
• Assist with player monitoring and recovery programs
• Assist in the development of individualized rehabilitation programs for injured players
• Participate in the return-to-play process, ensuring players are cleared according to established medical and performance benchmarks
• Medical Coordination & Communication
• Serve as the primary liaison between players, team physicians, and the Director of Player Health and Performance regarding all medical matters
• Coordinate specialist referrals, imaging, and surgical consultations as directed by team physicians
• Maintain timely and accurate communication with coaching staff regarding player availability and health status
• Work in collaboration with the equipment department to ensure efficient and optimized team travel
• Records, Compliance & Administration
• Maintain confidential and thorough medical records for all players in accordance with HIPAA, NHL, and organizational policies
• Manage the athletic training room operations including equipment, supplies inventory, and budget oversight
• Ensure full compliance with all NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions related to player health and medical services
• Manage the anti-doping program in accordance with NHL/NHLPA Drug Testing Agreement requirements
• Staff Leadership & Development
• Supervise and mentor assistant athletic trainers and support staff within the player health department
• Collaborate with AHL affiliate athletic training staff to ensure continuity of care and organizational standards across all levels
• Identify and define areas of improvement in existing operations and practices, with a focus on injury management and prevention
• Effectively and purposefully communicate with all Hockey Operations colleagues, with a focus on transparency, professionalism, and excellence
• Build and support effective cross-departmental relationships
• Contribute to the ongoing development and evolution of the Kings’ integrated health and performance model

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Athletic Training or related field
• BOC certification (ATC)
• Current California state licensure or eligibility
• Minimum 8+ years of professional or elite collegiate athletic training experience
• Demonstrated experience working within a high-performance, multidisciplinary sports environment
• Proven ability to lead and coordinate care across medical, performance, and coaching staff
• CPR/AED/First Aid certification
• Proficiency with electronic medical record (EMR) systems
• Ability to make independent, high-stakes medical decisions in fast-paced, live competition environments
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust with elite athletes and collaborate across all levels of the organization
• Ability to translate complex medical information into actionable insights for coaches and hockey operations
• Exceptional leadership in mentoring and developing staff
• High level of discretion and professionalism in handling confidential medical information
• Strong organizational and operational management skills, including budgeting, logistics, and travel coordination
• Commitment to continuous learning and innovation in sports medicine and performance

Preferred

• Previous NHL or professional hockey experience
• Prior experience in a Head Athletic Trainer or senior leadership role
• Advanced certifications (e.g., CSCS, PES, manual therapy, ART, dry needling where applicable)
• Strong understanding of hockey-specific injury patterns and return-to-play protocols
• Experience integrating sports science and load monitoring data into player management
• Experience managing concussion protocols and post-surgical rehabilitation at the elite level
• Familiarity with NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), IR/LTIR processes, and league medical protocols
• Experience coordinating specialist care, imaging, and surgical pathways for professional athletes
• Exposure to international competition or high-performance global sport environments
• Experience with GPS/wearable technologies and athlete monitoring systems

Work Environment & Demands

• Extensive travel throughout the NHL season, including all home games at Crypto.com Arena and all away games
• Available for all team activities including practices, games, team travel, training camp, and playoff competition
• Evening, weekend, and holiday hours are standard

Pay

$200,000 - $230,000

Schedule

Full-time