Head Athletic Trainer

Location : Westerville, OH

Job Type: Administrative Staff

Job Number: 00468

Division: Student Affairs

Department: Athletics

Opening Date: 03/30/2026

DESCRIPTION

Otterbein University is seeking an experienced and collaborative Head Athletic Trainer to provide leadership and oversight for the sports medicine program serving Otterbein University's NCAA Division III athletics department. This position directs the delivery of comprehensive athletic training and sports medicine services for approximately 600 student-athletes across 22 varsity sports while supervising athletic training staff and coordinating medical care in collaboration with team physicians and campus healthcare partners.

The Head Athletic Trainer ensures the implementation of evidence-based practices that prioritize student-athlete health, safety, and well-being. As the institution's Athletics Healthcare Administrator (AHCA), the role oversees institutional compliance with NCAA health and safety legislation. This position functions in and must promote a collaborative environment that supports high-quality patient care, staff development, and sustainable healthcare delivery. This is an exempt position working 40 hours per week, 12 months per year.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Athletic Training & Sports Medicine Services

Provide athletic training services including injury prevention, clinical evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and return-to-play management for intercollegiate student-athletes.

Provide emergency medical care during practices, competitions, and travel, including implementation of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs).

Develop and implement individualized evidence-based rehabilitation programs to safely return student-athletes to participation.

Coordinate and oversee concussion management protocols including baseline testing, injury evaluation, physician referral, and graduated return-to-play procedures.

Maintain accurate and timely patient documentation through the department's electronic medical record (EMR) system.

Utilize EMR data and departmental metrics to evaluate healthcare utilization, injury trends, and rehabilitation outcomes and systematically communicate metrics with the Director of Athletics.Coverage & Event Management

Provide athletic training coverage for assigned teams and coordinate medical coverage for practices, competitions, and postseason events.

Coordinate athletic training coverage for home contests, conference championships, and NCAA postseason events hosted by the university.Policy, Compliance & Healthcare Administration

Develop and maintain departmental policies and procedures that support safe and effective healthcare delivery.

Ensure proper documentation of injury to athletes through prudent record-keeping and supervision of computer-based athletic injury and treatment recording systems as required for licensure documentation, insurance information, and athletic health care management.

Manage a timely insurance claims process on behalf of Otterbein Athletics and work closely with the University's Business and Risk Management Offices to ensure compliance with the University Insurance Provider's recommended educational programming and paperwork.

Oversee Athletics' secondary insurance program for student-athletes.

Ensure institutional compliance with NCAA health and safety legislation including completing NCAA health and safety reporting and required institutional documentation.

Coordinate annual review and distribution of Emergency Action Plans for all athletic venues.Collaboration & Communication

Provide health care education to student-athletes and referral for appropriate help or counseling.

Serve as the primary liaison between athletics and campus healthcare partners including counseling services, student health services, disability services, and risk management.

Manage relationship with OhioHealth as Otterbein Athletics' partner in providing health care coverage for student-athletes. Coordinate the services and staffing provided through this relationship, including team physician clinics.

Coordinate medical care for student-athletes with team physicians, orthopedic specialists, physical therapists, and other healthcare providers.Budget & Operations

Oversee departmental budgets, medical equipment, and supply purchasing.

Manage medical supplies, equipment inventory, and purchasing processes.Supervisory Responsibilities

Oversee a multidisciplinary sports medicine team consisting of four Assistant Athletic Trainers and one dual-credentialed Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist.

May serve as a clinical preceptor for athletic training students in collaboration with affiliated athletic training education programs.Other Duties

May be required to drive University vehicles.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from a CAATE-accredited program and a Master's degree in Athletic Training, Sports Medicine, Healthcare Administration, or a related field;

OR an entry-level Master's degree in Athletic Training from a CAATE-accredited program.

Minimum of four years of athletic training experience, preferably in collegiate athletics.Certificates, Licenses & Registrations

Board of Certification (BOC) Certified Athletic Trainer

Ohio Athletic Training License (or eligibility)

CPR/AED certification for Healthcare Providers

Valid Ohio driver's licenseLanguage Skills

Must demonstrate professional-level oral and written communication skills including grammar.Mathematical Skills

Must be competent in general math.Technical Skills

Knowledge of strength and conditioning for university athletes.

Strong interpersonal and supervisory skills.

Ability to use general office equipment, including office PC, copier, telephone, and fax.

Must take pride in and be thorough in quality of work produced.Reasoning Ability

Must possess excellent attention to detail.

Must be a team player and interact collegially with coworkers and other constituencies.

Must possess excellent customer service skills.

Must possess strong organizational skills.

Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment in unusual or new situations.

Must be able to work independently and must retain confidential information.Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

Travel with sport programs is often required.

Frequent talking or hearing, sitting, reaching, and use of repetitive hand and wrist motions.

Occasional standing, walking, stooping, or bending.

Must be able to meet regular and predictable attendance standards.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a variety of settings, including an environmentally controlled office setting, athletic training rooms, and on the sidelines of competition venues. Some travel is required for all athletic training staff with their sport assignments. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

At Otterbein, our comprehensive benefits package helps you thrive both professionally and personally, offering:

Generous tuition benefits for you, your spouse or domestic partner, and your dependents

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family

Life insurance for added peace of mind

A defined contribution retirement plan to help you plan for the future

Wellness initiatives

And even more ways Otterbein supports your success.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Other duties of a similar nature or level may be assigned.

Otterbein University's achievement of academic excellence depends on its commitment to inclusion and belonging. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. Otterbein University is an EEO Employer.

To help attract a talented team, Otterbein offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time faculty and staff.

Benefits at Otterbein include:

Tuition benefit for employee and their dependents

Medical, dental, vision, life insurance for employee, dependents, or domestic partner

Disability

Defined contribution retirement plan

and much more

ABOUT OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY:

ABOUT OTTERBEIN ATHLETICS:

ABOUT OTTERBEIN CAREERS and BENEFITS: