Secondary School Athletic Trainer

ORTHOPEDIC & SPORTS MEDICINE CENTER LLC; Platte City (MO); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center LLC (OSMC) seeks an experienced Board of Certification Athletic Trainer to serve as the on-site athletic trainer at partner schools in Platte City, MO. You will provide on-field care, injury assessments, rehab planning, and coordination with OSMC physicians and school staff.

Responsibilities include emergency response, maintaining medical records, complying with HIPAA and district policies, and supporting prevention programs while acting as a trusted

Qualifications

• BOC Certified Athletic Trainer eligibility or certification.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents/guardians, coaches, and school staff.
• Knowledge of emergency care and return-to-play protocols.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-field injury evaluation, care, and rehabilitation planning.
• Coordinate with OSMC physicians and school personnel for student-athlete care.
• Respond to emergencies (CPR/AED) and manage medical emergencies.
• Maintain confidential medical records and ensure HIPAA/FERPA compliance.
• Support injury prevention and conditioning programs in collaboration with coaches.

Skills

Emergency care

Communication

HIPAA compliance

Education

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Athletic Training

Tools

EMS/EMR documentation

Job description

Job Details: Level: Experienced, Job Location: OSMC PLATTE CITY - PLATTE CITY, MO 64079, The Secondary School Athletic Trainer is a Board of Certification (BOC) certified, licensed athletic trainer employed by The Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center (OSMC) and assigned to one or more partner high schools and/or middle schools. Working under the direction of an OSMC team physician and in collaboration with school administrators, athletic directors, coaches, school nurses, and parents/guardians. The athletic trainer provides injury and illness prevention, emergency care, clinical evaluation, rehabilitation, and return-to-participation management for student-athletes. This role serves as OSMC's on-site representative in the school setting, building trusted relationships with student-athletes, families, and school staff, and coordinating timely access to OSMC physicians and services when further care is needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Philosophy

• Upholds OSMC's mission, goals, and values while supporting the mission and policies of the assigned school district(s).
• Adheres to all OSMC and school district policies and procedures, the NATA Code of Ethics, and the BOC Standards of Professional Practice.
• Serves as a positive role model for student-athletes and contributes actively as a member of the school's athletic and health services team.
• Supports and respects the rights of student-athletes and their families, including privacy, dignity, and confidentiality, in all job duties.
• Actively participates in OSMC and school committees, staff meetings, in-service training, and related activities as assigned.

Communication

• Communicates clearly, professionally, and effectively with student-athletes, parents/guardians, coaches, athletic directors, school administrators, school nurses, officials, physicians, and OSMC colleagues.
• Provides timely injury status and participation-status updates to coaches, athletic directors, and parents/guardians, sharing only the information each party needs and in accordance with HIPAA, FERPA, and district policy.
• Coordinates referrals and communication with the OSMC team physician, other OSMC providers, and outside healthcare providers involved in a student-athlete's care.
• Maintains confidentiality and dignity in all interactions with student-athletes and families.

Resource and Financial Management

• Uses OSMC and school resources responsibly, avoiding waste and promoting efficiency.
• Maintains athletic training room supplies, equipment, and emergency equipment (e.g., AED, splints, spine-motion-restriction equipment, cold-water immersion tub); monitors inventory and submits supply requests in accordance with OSMC and school procedures.
• Identifies and reports wasteful practices or misuse of resources, and suggests cost‑saving improvements where possible.

Compliance

• Performs duties in accordance with OSMC's compliance program and established policies and procedures.
• Practices within the scope of the Missouri athletic trainer licensure law and the written standing orders/protocols established with the supervising team physician.
• Complies with Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) rules and Missouri state law related to student-athlete health and safety, including concussion removal-from-play and return-to-play requirements.

Performance-Improvement

• Supports the continuous improvement of OSMC's performance-improvement program.
• Tracks and reports injury data, coverage statistics, and outcome measures as requested by OSMC and the school.
• Follows performance-improvement policies and contributes to their success.

Safety/Risk-Management

• Adheres to OSMC and school safety policies and procedures in all job duties and responsibilities.
• Develops, reviews, posts, and rehearses venue-specific Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) for each athletic facility at least annually, in collaboration with school administration and local EMS.
• Monitors environmental conditions (heat index/wet‑bulb globe temperature, lightning, air quality, cold) and makes activity‑modification recommendations in accordance with MSHSAA guidelines and school policy.
• Inspects playing surfaces and facilities, and reports observed or suspected safety hazards, violations, and policy/procedure noncompliance to the athletic director or appropriate designee.
• Responds to emergency situations with competence and composure, and activates EMS and notifies parents/guardians and administration as appropriate.
• Follows OSHA bloodborne pathogen and infection‑control standards, and educates coaches and student-athletes on skin‑infection and communicable‑disease prevention.

Professional Development

• Completes continuing education required to maintain BOC certification and Missouri licensure, and other learning experiences as required.
• Seeks new learning experiences by accepting challenging opportunities and responsibilities.
• Is open to feedback and recommendations for improving performance.

Injury and Illness Prevention and Wellness

• Assists with the organization and administration of pre‑participation physical examinations, and verifies that required physical, consent, and emergency‑information forms are on file before a student‑athlete participates.
• Implements and administers baseline concussion testing and annual concussion education for student‑athletes, parents/guardians, and coaches.
• Recommends and fits protective equipment, taping, bracing, and padding in accordance with sport rules and manufacturer guidelines.
• Educates student‑athletes, parents/guardians, and coaches on injury prevention, heat illness, hydration, nutrition, sleep, and general wellness, using age‑appropriate approaches for middle‑school and high‑school populations.
• Supports injury‑prevention and conditioning programs (e.g., warm‑up, ACL‑in‑jury prevention, and arm‑care programs) in collaboration with coaches and strength staff.

Examination, Assessment, and Diagnosis

• Performs on‑field and clinical evaluations of injuries and illnesses, including history, observation, palpation, special tests, neurological screening, and vital signs.
• Recognizes conditions specific to adolescent and skeletally immature athletes (e.g., growth‑plate and apophyseal injuries) and refers appropriately.
• Determines participation status and refers student‑athletes to the OSMC team physician or other appropriate providers when evaluation, imaging, or treatment beyond the athletic trainer's scope is indicated.

Immediate and Emergency Care

• Provides emergency care for acute injuries and illnesses, including CPR/AED, airway management, hemorrhage control, splinting, and spine motion restriction.
• Recognizes and manages exertional heat stroke (including on‑site cold‑water immersion), sudden cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetic emergencies, and other medical emergencies according to the EAP and physician protocols.
• Removes any student‑athlete suspected of a concussion from participation, and manages the graduated return‑to‑learn and return‑to‑play progression; return to play requires written clearance as required by Missouri law and MSHSAA policy.

Therapeutic Intervention and Rehabilitation

• Designs, implements, and progresses rehabilitation and reconditioning programs, under physician direction, for student‑athletes returning from injury or surgery.
• Applies therapeutic modalities, manual therapy, and therapeutic exercise within the scope of Missouri licensure and physician standing orders.
• Applies and removes wraps, braces, splints, walking boots, and other durable medical equipment (DME) as directed.
• Coordinates rehabilitation plans with OSMC physicians, physical therapists, and other treating providers, and communicates return‑to‑participation progress to coaches and families.

Event Coverage and Scheduling

• Provides on‑site coverage of practices, home competitions, and designated away events according to the coverage plan established with the athletic director, with priority given to high‑risk sports and varsity contests.
• Maintains regular athletic training room hours for evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation.
• Serves as host athletic trainer for visiting teams, and communicates the venue's EAP and available medical resources to visiting medical staff and officials.
• May be assigned clinic hours at OSMC or community/outreach events (e.g., Saturday injury clinics, sports physicals) as scheduled.

Healthcare Administration and Documentation

• Documents all evaluations, treatments, referrals, and participation‑status decisions in the OSMC‑approved electronic medical record / injury‑tracking system in a timely manner.
• Maintains accurate records of pre‑participation physicals, emergency contact information, concussion baseline testing, and required forms.
• Completes injury, incident, and insurance reports as required by OSMC, the school district, and MSHSAA.
• Schedules and facilitates OSMC appointments and referrals for student‑athletes, and assists families with understanding next steps.

Other Duties

• Exhibits an understanding of and commitment to maintaining an environment that ensures all student‑athletes, families, and colleagues are treated with dignity and respect.
• May supervise student athletic training aides and serve as a preceptor for athletic training students from accredited programs, as assigned.
• Assists in covering for other OSMC athletic trainers' school assignments when directed or necessary.
• Demonstrates flexibility to perform other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of these tasks satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Education

Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Athletic Training from a CAATE-accredited program. Secondary school athletic training experience is preferred.

Language Ability

Ability to effectively communicate with student‑athletes, parents/guardians, coaches, school administrators, physicians, and EMS personnel, including the ability to explain injuries and care plans in age‑appropriate language.

Math Ability

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply clinical knowledge of anatomy, injury mechanisms, and evidence‑based practice to make sound, independent decisions about emergency care, participation status, and referral, often under time pressure and without a physician on site.

Computer Skills

Basic computer skills required, including electronic medical record / injury‑tracking documentation, email, and scheduling software.

Certificates and Licenses

Board of Certification (BOC) Certified Athletic Trainer. Current Missouri Athletic Trainer License, or eligible for licensure prior to employment. Current CPR/AED certification for the Professional Rescuer/BLS level prior to employment. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation. Must successfully complete school district background check and any other screenings required for staff with student contact.

Personal Skills

Ability to adapt to a changing pace, stressful situations, and frequent interruptions. Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment as the sole on‑site medical professional. Positive attitude and professional appearance are required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No formal supervisory responsibilities. May oversee student athletic training aides and precept athletic training students as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to lift and carry up to 75 pounds (e.g., water coolers, equipment kits, assisting injured athletes).
• Ability to bend, twist, squat, and kneel frequently, including on athletic fields and courts.
• Ability to move quickly, including running, across fields, courts, and uneven or wet surfaces to reach an injured athlete.
• Ability to perform CPR, assist with spine motion restriction, and help transport injured athletes.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods during practices and events.
• Work is performed indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and wind.
• Irregular hours, including after school, evenings, weekends, holidays, and summer pre‑season activities, based on athletic schedules.
• Travel between school sites and to off‑site athletic events.
• Near‑visual acuity for injury assessment, wound care, viewing computer screens, and reading fine print.
• Auditory acuity and a clear speaking voice to communicate effectively in noisy environments.
• Ability to adapt to simultaneous, multiple, and varied stimuli.
• Able to handle stressful, uncomfortable, and emergency situations with a wide variety of student‑athletes, families, coaches, and staff.
• Exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and communicable disease.