Major League Lead Athletic Trainer

Washington Nationals; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D

Short- and long-term disability

Flexible spending accounts

401(k) and pension plan

Complimentary Nationals tickets

Employee discounts

Free onsite fitness center

Job summary

Washington Nationals are seeking a Major League Lead Athletic Trainer to oversee daily medical care and athletic training operations for the Major League club. You will supervise the staff, collaborate with team physicians, therapists, and coaches to keep players healthy and progressing toward performance goals.

The ideal candidate combines strong clinical skills with leadership, proactive problem-solving, and clear communication in a demanding MLB environment. Travel with the club is required.

Qualifications

• BOC certification required or eligible for licensure
• Degree in athletic training or related field and eligibility for applicable licensure
• Significant athletic training experience in professional baseball or high-performance environments
• Ability to lead staff and coordinate care across multiple disciplines
• Strong communication, organization, and relationship-building skills
• Current CPR/AED certification and willingness to travel with MLB club

Responsibilities

• Lead daily injury evaluation, treatment, recovery, and athletic training services for Major League players in coordination with team physicians.
• Lead and develop the Major League athletic training staff, setting consistent standards for preparation, care, documentation, and communication.
• Implement organizational screening and testing protocols to establish baselines, monitor changes, and identify concerns requiring action.
• Coordinate individualized medical plans with physicians, Physical Therapists, Physical Development, and skill coaches.
• Communicate player status, clinical restrictions, treatment priorities, and changes in readiness to appropriate staff and leadership.
• Partner with rehabilitation staff to establish return-to-performance milestones and coordinate transitions between the Major League club, West Palm Beach, and rehab assignments.
• Maintain accurate medical records and coordinate appointments, imaging, specialist consultations, and continuity of care during travel and the offseason.
• Oversee athletic training supplies, treatment-area operations, and emergency preparation while continually improving the quality and efficiency of care.

Skills

Staff leadership

Clinical decision-making

Communication & collaboration

CPR/AED certification

Willingness to travel

Spanish proficiency

Education

BOC certification

Eligibility for athletic training licensure

Degree in athletic training or related field

Job description

Our Vision

To become baseball’s highest performing organization - defined by our relentless pursuit of excellence, strengthened by our connection, and fueled by our positive energy.

Our Vision

To become baseball’s highest performing organization - defined by our relentless pursuit of excellence, strengthened by our connection, and fueled by our positive energy.

• Joy. We want to be around people that like to have fun. We remain optimistic through the ups and downs, we enjoy the process, and we share in something bigger than ourselves.


• Humility. We don't have all the answers. We lead with curiosity, listen generously, and seek growth from every experience - especially the tough ones. We have gotten over ourselves.


• Integrity. We do the right thing, even when it's hard. We act with honesty, accountability, and respect for our teammates and ourselves. We treat the custodian like the king.


• Competitiveness. We embrace challenges and thrive in high-stakes environments. We prepare relentlessly. We are energized by the idea of keeping score.

Our Core Values

• Joy. We want to be around people that like to have fun. We remain optimistic through the ups and downs, we enjoy the process, and we share in something bigger than ourselves.


• Humility. We don't have all the answers. We lead with curiosity, listen generously, and seek growth from every experience - especially the tough ones. We have gotten over ourselves.


• Integrity. We do the right thing, even when it's hard. We act with honesty, accountability, and respect for our teammates and ourselves. We treat the custodian like the king.


• Competitiveness. We embrace challenges and thrive in high-stakes environments. We prepare relentlessly. We are energized by the idea of keeping score.

Position Summary

The Washington Nationals are seeking a Major League Lead Athletic Trainer to lead daily medical care and athletic training operations for the Major League club. This role will oversee the Major League athletic training staff and work closely with team physicians, Physical Therapy, Physical Development, and Major League coaches to keep players healthy, available, and progressing toward their performance goals. The Lead Athletic Trainer will establish clear daily plans, apply organizational assessment and treatment standards, and ensure timely communication around player status, restrictions, and readiness. The ideal candidate combines strong clinical skills with sound judgment, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to lead a collaborative medical group in a demanding Major League environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead daily injury evaluation, treatment, recovery, and athletic training services for Major League players in coordination with team physicians.


• Lead and develop the Major League athletic training staff, setting consistent standards for preparation, care, documentation, and communication.


• Implement organizational screening and testing protocols to establish baselines, monitor changes, and identify concerns requiring action.


• Coordinate individualized medical plans with physicians, Physical Therapists, Physical Development, and skill coaches.


• Communicate player status, clinical restrictions, treatment priorities, and changes in readiness to appropriate staff and leadership.


• Partner with rehabilitation staff to establish return-to-performance milestones and coordinate transitions between the Major League club, West Palm Beach, and rehab assignments.


• Maintain accurate medical records and coordinate appointments, imaging, specialist consultations, and continuity of care during travel and the offseason.


• Oversee athletic training supplies, treatment-area operations, and emergency preparation while continually improving the quality and efficiency of care.

Qualifications

• Degree in athletic training or a related field, BOC certification, and eligibility for applicable athletic training licensure.


• Significant athletic training experience in professional baseball or a comparable high-performance environment.


• Demonstrated ability to lead staff and coordinate care across multiple disciplines.


• Experience applying objective assessments and clinical findings to treatment and readiness decisions.


• Strong communication, organization, and relationship-building skills.


• Current CPR/AED certification and willingness to travel with the Major League club.


• Spanish proficiency is a plus.

Compensation

The projected annual salary for this position is $150,000 - $200,000. Actual pay is based on several factors, including but not limited to the applicant’s: qualifications, skills, expertise, education/training, certifications, and other organization requirements. Starting salaries for new employees are frequently not at the top of the applicable salary range.

Benefits

The Nationals offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that presently includes:

• Medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance


• Short- and long-term disability insurance


• Flexible spending accounts


• 401(k) and pension plan


• Access to complimentary tickets to Nationals home games


• Employee discounts


• Free onsite fitness center

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Nationals are dedicated to offering equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.