Assistant Athletic Trainer

PWHL; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

PWHL Detroit is seeking an Assistant Athletic Trainer to deliver high-quality medical care, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and player wellness from day one of our Detroit launch.

Reporting to the Head Athletic Trainer, you will collaborate with performance staff to ensure readiness and long-term performance, handling emergencies, documentation, and coordination with external medical consultants as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in athletic training or physical therapy required.
• Certification by NATA-BOC or CATA is required or equivalent.
• In the US: HIPAA knowledge and Michigan licensure; ABPTS or equivalent travel/coverage.
• Preference for Master’s degree in athletic training or physical therapy.
• Strong documentation and emergency action planning responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide immediate medical response during practices and games.
• Monitor players' health, readiness, and recovery alongside Head Athletic Trainer.
• Coordinate care for non-traveling players while on the road.
• Document health status and ensure compliance with league medical standards and deadlines.
• Develop injury prevention strategies and rehabilitation protocols.
• Maintain a stocked, clean athletic training environment.

Skills

Emergency action plans

HIPAA compliance

Medical documentation

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in athletic training or physical therapy

Master’s degree in athletic training or physical therapy

Tools

NATA-BOC Certification

CATA Certification

ABPTS Sports Certified Specialist

Job description

About The PWHL

The Professional Women’s Hockey League delivers world-class competition and fosters meaningful connections with fans and communities through operational excellence, purposeful partnerships, and a focus on long‑term sustainability. We are dedicated to cultivating a workplace and league culture rooted in integrity, innovation, and inclusion — on and off the ice.

About The PWHL

The Professional Women’s Hockey League delivers world-class competition and fosters meaningful connections with fans and communities through operational excellence, purposeful partnerships, and a focus on long‑term sustainability. We are dedicated to cultivating a workplace and league culture rooted in integrity, innovation, and inclusion — on and off the ice.

Position Summary

The Assistant Athletic Trainer for PWHL Detroit supports the delivery of high-quality, integrated medical care focused on injury prevention, immediate response, rehabilitation, and overall player wellness. Reporting to the Head Athletic Trainer, this individual works closely with athletes and performance staff to promote health, readiness, and long-term performance. As a foundational role for our Detroit launch, this individual will help establish the team’s medical care standards from day one. This posting is for an existing vacancy. The pay range for this position is $60,000 to $67,000 annually.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist in providing immediate medical response during practices and games, including supporting care for head/spine trauma, airway issues, and other emergencies under the direction of the Head Athletic Trainer.
• Collaborate daily with the Head Athletic Trainer to monitor and support players’ health, recovery, and readiness.
• Coordinate care for non-traveling players while the team is on the road.
• Support the documentation and reporting of player health status, injury records, and compliance with League medical documentation standards and deadlines.
• Participate in developing and implementing injury prevention strategies and rehabilitation protocols in alignment with the team’s performance goals.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and fully stocked athletic training environment, ensuring readiness for treatment and emergencies.
• Help coordinate appointments and follow-up with external medical consultants and specialists as needed.
• Serve as a key point of continuity in care and communication for players, in support of the Head Athletic Trainer.
• Contribute to ongoing player assessments and wellness checks, offering input into care plans and modifications when necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head Athletic Trainer to support player health and team operations.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in elite hockey at the professional, major junior, or college/university level.
• Certification by either the National Athletic Trainers’ Association – Board of Certification (NATA-BOC) or the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA).
• OR a Physical Therapist with a Sports Certified Specialist accredited through the ABPTS
• Bachelor’s degree in athletic training or physical therapy.
• Thorough understanding of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States and the Personal Health Information Act in Canada.
• Maintain the educational and licensure requirements to practice athletic training in Michigan.
• Must maintain HIPAA compliance.
• Ability to create and communicate emergency action plans.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in athletic training or physical therapy.
• Dry needling certification
• Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS); Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Sports First Responder

Flexibility & Travel

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and travel as required.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or Veteran status, or any other protected class.

A background check will be conducted once a successful candidate is identified.