General Job Summary:   

The Athletic Trainer is a licensed healthcare professional who works collaboratively with sports medicine physicians to provide comprehensive musculoskeletal care. This role functions as a clinical extender, supporting injury evaluation, treatment planning, rehabilitation progression, and patient education for athletes and physically active patients across the continuum of care. 

The Athletic Trainer helps optimize physician efficiency, improve patient throughput, and enhance the overall patient experience by bridging injury assessment, treatment, and recovery. 

 

Primary Job Responsibilities:  

Clinical Care & Patient Management 

• Perform detailed injury histories and musculoskeletal assessments under physician direction 

• Assist physicians with orthopedic and sports medicine physical examinations 

• Translate mechanism of injury, functional demands, and symptom progression into meaningful clinical context 

• Support diagnosis and treatment planning through case presentation and clinical documentation 

• Develop and instruct patients on home exercise programs (HEPs) and injury specific care plans 

• Fit, educate, and manage durable medical equipment (DME), braces, splints, and taping 

• Assist with or perform concussion screening and follow-up per established protocols 

• Monitor rehabilitation progress and communicate patient status to physicians and care teams 

Clinic & Physician Support 

• Act as a physician extender to improve clinic flow and efficiency 

• Document patient encounters accurately and timely in the electronic medical record (EMR) 

• Assist with procedures and injections as appropriate and within scope 

• Coordinate care with physical therapy, imaging, and other ancillary services 

• Triage patient questions and messages related to musculoskeletal care 

Patient Education & Engagement 

• Educate patients on injury prevention, activity modification, and return to sport/work guidance 

• Reinforce physician treatment plans to promote adherence and positive outcomes 

• Provide clear, age appropriate, and activity specific education to patients and families‑‑specific education to patients and families 

Professional Practice 

• Maintain licensure, certification, and continuing education requirements 

• Adhere to evidence-based practice standards and organizational policies 

• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and interdisciplinary collaboration 

• Serve as a preceptor for athletic training students when applicable 

 
Education and Experience 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a CAATE‑accredited athletic training program  

• Board of Certification (BOC) certification as an Athletic Trainer  

• Current NC state licensure 

• Strong knowledge of orthopedic injuries, rehabilitation principles, and sports medicine practices  

• Excellent communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills  

• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced, ‑team based‑ clinical environment 

Physical Requirements  

• Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout the clinic for extended periods  

• Ability to assist patients with positioning, bracing, and therapeutic activities  

• Occasional lifting, bending, and manual assistance as required for patient care