Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425?acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods. Swarthmore College was recently ranked number 3 in the 2021 US News Best National Liberal Arts Colleges rankings - https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/swarthmore-college-3370.
The opportunity:
The Assistant Athletic Trainer provides preventive, rehabilitative, and emergency medical care, as well as pre-practice and pre-event preparation, for all intercollegiate and club teams. This position serves as the on-site Athletic Trainer for intercollegiate teams’ practices and home contests as assigned and may occasionally travel with teams for away contests. This is a 10 month position, paid over 12 months.
Essential responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Supervise student workers and instruct athletic training students.
- Assist in the supervision of all activities of the training room.
- Prioritize the safety, health, and well-being of student-athletes at all times.
- Treat and rehabilitate athletic injuries.
- Take measures to prevent injuries by reporting any unsafe conditions in the athletics facilities.
- Maintain medical records and insurance files, and manages insurance claims.
- Supervise and teach a corps of athletic training students to give them a meaningful and worthwhile learning/clinical experience.
- Work closely with physicians to monitor and support the care of injured student-athletes.
- Provide transportation for injured athletes to doctor’s appointments and hospital if needed.
- Communicate with College health center in the matters of general health conditions of student-athletes.
- Communicate with the coaching staff regarding athletes’ injuries and ability to participate
- Provide pre-event and pre-practice preparation for intercollegiate and club teams, including taping and supportive wraps, supplying water and ice for injuries.
- Provide resources for visiting teams (e.g. training tables, water, cups, ice, etc.) as needed.
- Maintain medical records and treatment records on injured student athletes.
- Manage insurance files and insurance claims for intercollegiate and club participants to make sure all medical bills are paid.
- Assist with inventory and ordering of supplies and equipment.
- Maintain the cleanliness of the athletic training facility on a daily basis—including the cleaning of supplies such as coolers, whirlpools, water bottles, and other equipment.
- Maintain all certifications (NATA, CPR, First Aid) and licenses (Pennsylvania) as needed.
Who you are:
A certified Athletic Trainer who has experience as: an ATC, preferably within a team setting or at the collegiate level; can provide exceptional care to student-athletes; will work collaboratively as part of the sports medicine/athletic training team; communicates proactively and appropriately with various groups; is committed to supporting and fostering an inclusive environment; and is able to work independently and effectively.
What you bring:
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree, NATA BOC certification, Pennsylvania state license
- Minimum of one to three years of experience as a certified athletic trainer, preferably at the college level
- Skills/knowledge of electronic medical record keeping system (SportsWareOnLine); or ability to learn quickly
- Ability to be flexible with changes in sports and/or clinical coverage schedules
- Basic of other computer programs i.e. Word, Power Point, Excel
- Must have the ability to work as a team and collaborate on ideas for the good of the department and the College
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in athletic training or related field.
- Certification in manual therapy, Graston, ART etc.
- Versed in social media platforms.
- Basic skills/knowledge of Google Suite
Physical Demands:
Most of the tasks an Athletic Trainer must perform on a daily basis are physical in nature. These tasks vary from routine ankle taping to lifting and moving heavy objects to the intricate work of closing wounds. The Athletic Trainer must be able to endure standing at games for up to 3 or more hours. Other duties of the Athletic Trainer require sustained focus for extended periods of time as well as decision making and communication skills.
The Athletic Trainer makes judgments about an injured student-athlete’s condition on a daily basis. The Athletic Trainer must be able to accurately assess the severity of an injury, execute the proper plan for the athlete, implement the appropriate rehabilitation program, and know when it is safe for an athlete to return to participation/competition. The Athletic Trainer communicates with physicians, nurses, and parents concerning student athletes’ health condition. The Athletic Trainer must also correspond with insurance agents and medical billing departments and therefore understand the workings of health insurance plans.
Working Conditions:
The Athletic Trainer must be able to work extended, unconventional hours, including evenings, weekends, and sometimes holidays. This position requires the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time and move about athletic facilities as needed (including climbing stairs/bleachers). This position will also carry, move, and set up equipment pertaining to job responsibilities (e.g. training tables, water coolers, ice bags, etc.). This position is required to work home contests, and special events as needed, which occur at both indoor and outdoor venues. Ability to work in various weather conditions, including inclement weather, is necessary. The majority of this role’s schedule will be spent attending to student-athletes; these hours can be emotionally and mentally demanding, especially when dealing with someone who has just sustained an injury or is anticipating an upcoming surgery.
If you are excited about this role, we want to hear from you! For full consideration, submit applications with pay expectations including resume and cover letter by August 15, 2022.
Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.