Head Athletic Trainer

PWHL; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

PWHL San Jose is seeking a Head Athletic Trainer to serve as the primary liaison among the medical team, sports performance staff, coaching personnel, and management for the new team. The role ensures integrated care, health, wellness, and game readiness for all players.

The position requires California licensure, NATA-BOC or CATA certification, and at least 3 years of elite hockey experience. Travel with the team to road games is expected; salary ranges from $95,000 to $105,000 annually.

Qualifications

• NATA-BOC or CATA certification required.
• California licensure to practice athletic training.
• Minimum 3 years full-time experience in elite hockey.
• Current BLS certification; ACLS preferred.
• Ability to create and communicate emergency action plans.

Responsibilities

• Serve as first-line emergency responder during injuries.
• Coordinate health and wellness with a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ensure compliance with medical standards and documentation deadlines.
• Lead a team of Assistant Athletic Trainers.
• Evaluate injuries during practice and games and adjust protocols.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Emergency response

Team coordination

Communication skills

HIPAA compliance knowledge

Education

NATA-BOC or CATA certification

California athletic trainer licensure

BLS certification

ACLS certification (preferred)

3 years full-time elite hockey experience

Tools

Teamworks AMS

Dry needling certification

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.

Position Summary

The Head Athletic Trainer for PWHL San Jose serves as the primary liaison amongst the medical team, sports performance staff, coaching personnel, and management to ensure the integrated care, health, wellness, and game performance and readiness of all players on the team. As a foundational role for our San Jose launch, this individual will help establish the team’s medical and athletic care standards from day one. This posting is for a newly created position. The pay range for this position is $95,000 to $105,000 annually.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as first-line emergency responder for player safety during game and practice injuries, including head/spine trauma, airway compromise, hemorrhagic emergencies, and cardiac issues.


• Coordinate daily player health and wellness within a multi-disciplinary team including the medical director, medical consultants, second-opinion specialists, sports performance staff, physical therapists, coaching staff, and management.


• Stay current and compliant on all medical standards, including submission of required documentation to the PWHL within deadlines.


• Lead a team of Assistant Athletic Trainers focused on providing elite-level care for the health, wellness, and safety of players.


• Handle player injuries and evaluate athlete conditions during every practice and game, proactively solving problems to mitigate injury risk by implementing training protocols and regulations.


• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Certification by either the National Athletic Trainers’ Association – Board of Certification (NATA-BOC) or the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA).


• Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS); Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Sports First Responder are preferred.


• Thorough understanding of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States and the Personal Health Information Act in Canada.


• Minimum of 3 years full-time experience (within the past 5 years) in elite hockey, defined as a Head or Assistant Athletic Trainer/Therapist at the professional, major junior, or college/university level.


• Maintain the educational and licensure requirements to practice athletic training in the State of California.


• Must maintain HIPAA compliance.


• Ability to create and communicate emergency action plans.


• This position is based in the United States. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The PWHL does not provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Teamworks AMS


• Dry needling certification

Flexibility & Travel

Ability to work long hours, nights, weekends, and holidays. Travel with the team for all road trips during the pre-season, regular season, and post-season is 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.