Head Athletic Trainer

The St. James; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The St. James Performance Academy seeks a Head Athletic Trainer to oversee injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, and return‑to‑play for student‑athletes across all sports. You will design prevention programs and collaborate with physicians, coaches, and performance staff to ensure top‑tier care and safety.

The ideal candidate holds a BOC ATC, is Virginia licensure‑eligible, and has 5+ years in sports medicine with EMR experience. This is an on‑site, full‑time role requiring weekday hours.

Qualifications

• BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) required.
• Eligible for licensure as an Athletic Trainer in Virginia.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in sports medicine, preferably with youth/high‑performance programs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead healthcare provider for student‑athletes, ensuring high‑quality care.
• Design and manage injury prevention, recovery, and return‑to‑play protocols.
• Develop and maintain EMR records, ensuring HIPAA/FERPA compliance and accessibility.
• Build and lead a multidisciplinary sports medicine team and coordinate on-site coverage.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training, Kinesiology, or a related field

Job description

About The St. James Performance Academy:

The St. James Performance Academy (TSJ PA) is a premier holistic performance and education institution dedicated to developing the next generation of elite student-athletes. Combining rigorous college-preparatory academics, world-class athletic training, and a structured emphasis on executive functioning and life skills, TSJ PA equips students to thrive academically, athletically, and personally – preparing them for success in college, career, and beyond.

About The St. James:

The St. James is the premier sports, wellness and active entertainment destination in the country, with 450,000 sq. ft. of developmental and competitive programs, teams and opportunities in more than 20 sports, and a wide range of premium fitness, wellness and entertainment experiences.

Description

The Head Athletic Trainer will be responsible for overseeing injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, and return-to-play protocols for student-athletes across all sports programs. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in athletic training, a deep understanding of youth athlete development, and the ability to collaborate effectively with coaches, parents, medical providers, and internal performance staff.

Responsibilities

Medical Oversight & Care

• Serve as the lead healthcare provider for all student-athletes, ensuring high-quality, age-appropriate medical care.
• Design, implement, and manage injury prevention programs, recovery protocols, and acute care standards.
• Develop individualized return-to-play plans in collaboration with physicians, physical therapists, coaches, and performance staff.

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) & Compliance

• Select, implement, and manage an EMR system for documentation of injuries, treatments, and progress tracking.
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA and FERPA regulations and all relevant athletic healthcare standards.
• Maintain up-to-date medical records and ensure accessibility to authorized personnel as needed.

Staff & Program Management

• Build and lead a growing sports medicine team, including athletic trainers and interns.
• Coordinate and provide on-site coverage for practices, games, and events as necessary.
• Serve as the liaison with external healthcare providers, specialists, and hospitals.

Communication & Collaboration

• Maintain consistent, proactive communication with coaches regarding student-athlete health, availability, and return-to-play timelines.
• Educate student-athletes and families on injury management, health best practices, and performance recovery.
• Participate in performance team meetings and collaborate on holistic athlete development plans.

Infrastructure Development

• Build and refine protocols, workflows, and emergency response plans for a high-performance youth sports academy.
• Ensure proper equipment, supplies, and facilities are in place to support safe and effective care delivery.
• Contribute to the strategic vision for sports medicine at The St. James Performance Academy and implement scalable solutions as the Academy grows.

Qualifications

• BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
• Eligible for licensure as an Athletic Trainer in Virginia
• Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training, Kinesiology, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience working in sports medicine, preferably in a youth, scholastic, or high-performance environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Athletic Training, Exercise Science, or related field
• Experience implementing or managing EMR systems (e.g., Healthy Roster, ATS, etc.)
• CPR/AED and First Aid Instructor certification
• Experience leading a multidisciplinary health or performance team

Schedule

• The Head Athletic Trainer must be in-person on-site at The St. James Monday through Friday from 7:30-4:00pm during school days.

We are 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.