Athletic Trainer (ATC) – Football (NCAA Division I)

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center:  Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Organization:

ATC Training Room 4

Job Summary:

JOB SUMMARY
Provides services to intercollegiate athletes who have impairments, functional limitations or changes in physical function and health status as a result of injury, illness or other causes with occasional guidance. Actively collaborates with the health care/educational team which consists of the Director of Sports Medicine, team physicians, Vanderbilt University Medical Center specialists, athletic trainers to meet patient care, outcomes and system treatment, rehabilitation care to athletes using modalities, personnel, equipment and supply resources. Serves as a liaison for VUMC to the University by providing education, awareness and sports medicine services.

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Athletic Trainer (ATC) – Football (NCAA Division I)

Intercollegiate Athletics | Vanderbilt Commodores Football
Location: McGugin Center – Nashville, TN
Schedule: Full-Time | 40 Hours/Week | Variable Hours

Vanderbilt University is seeking a driven, dynamic Athletic Trainer (ATC) to join our Sports Medicine team supporting NCAA Division I Football student-athletes competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). This role delivers comprehensive athletic training services to elite football athletes competing at one of the highest levels of collegiate athletics.

Working with occasional guidance, you'll collaborate with the Director of Sports Medicine, team physicians, VUMC specialists, and a high-performance athletic training team to deliver evidence-based care, enhance performance, and promote athlete well-being.

This position also serves as a key liaison between Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and Vanderbilt University, providing on-field coverage, injury management, education, and high-impact sports medicine services.

This role is ideal for experienced athletic trainers who thrive in a competitive, fast-paced environment and are passionate about supporting student-athletes at the highest level of collegiate football.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as an Athletic Trainer for Vanderbilt Football, providing hands-on coverage for practices, strength and conditioning sessions, team travel, and SEC competition.

• Collaborate with sports medicine leadership to develop and deliver individualized athletic training and sports medicine plans of care.

• Perform advanced evaluations and analyze functional and clinical data to determine readiness, safe participation levels, and return-to-play timelines.

• Implement evidence-based interventions to support performance optimization and athlete longevity.

• Promote athlete health, safety, and wellness within a competitive, high-performance environment aligned with SEC and Vanderbilt Athletics standards.

• Coordinate care with team physicians, Vanderbilt University Medical Center specialists, and performance staff to support positive athlete outcomes.

• Contribute to administrative and operational duties that support the overall success of the program.

• Operate motor vehicles to provide onsite coverage at practices, competitions, and team events across multiple locations.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the advancement of Vanderbilt Football Sports Medicine.

Required Qualifications

• BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), in good standing

• Eligible for, or currently holding, Tennessee state licensure

• Master's degree in Athletic Training or a related field

• Minimum of 3 years of certified athletic training experience supporting collegiate football, NCAA athletics, or professional football athletes

• Valid driver's license with a good, insurable driving record

• Candidates must possess current BOC Athletic Trainer (ATC) certification. Other clinical licenses or certifications do not substitute for this requirement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting NCAA Division I Football, Power Conference athletics, or professional football programs

• Demonstrated ability to excel in high-tempo, competitive, athlete-focused environments

• Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills

Why Vanderbilt?

Vanderbilt is a proud member of the SEC with a growing national athletic footprint and a strong commitment to competitive excellence. Supported by the unmatched resources of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, our sports medicine staff works with some of the nation's most gifted student-athletes.

Join a sports medicine program where your expertise as an Athletic Trainer directly impacts athlete performance, injury prevention, and long-term player development within NCAA Division I Football. At Vanderbilt, you'll utilize evidence-based sports medicine, advanced athletic training techniques, and high-performance rehabilitation strategies to deliver comprehensive care that consistently produces positive outcomes.

This is an opportunity to grow your career while contributing to the success of a nationally recognized NCAA Division I Football program and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team dedicated to excellence in student-athlete health, safety, and performance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborates in establishing athletic training and sports medicine services, plan of care; then coordinates and implements care delivery while anticipating patient/athlete care needs across the continuum.

• Analyzes comprehensive information pertinent to the patient's/athlete's care and management to determine patient/athlete functional capabilities within defined activity levels.

• Continually utilizes Athletic Training skills and resources to evaluate patient's/athlete's functional capabilities towards optimal, safe participation, and applies appropriate interventions to ensure effective outcomes.

• Employs strategies to promote health and a safe and healthy environment.

• The responsibilities listed are a general overview of the position and additional duties may be assigned.

• Assist with professional and administrative services for the successful implementation and development of the program.

• Operate motor vehicles to provide on-site support at various locations.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

• TREATMENT IMPLEMENTATION AT (NOVICE):: Demonstrates proficiency in providing treatment consistent with physician prescription and established plan of care. Able to modify treatment plan as needed to demonstrate provision of skilled therapy services including progression of treatment throughout course of care, and revision of treatment interventions of goals not met. May supervise and direct volunteers and students. Selects and follows correct protocol for care and utilize evidence based treatments. Has completed at least

• Patient Documentation (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate patient documentation in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Generally works under the direction of others while accomplishing assignments.

• Patient Evaluation (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully demonstrate the ability to conduct a patient evaluation in practical applications of moderate difficulty. Capable of effectively assessing the relative merits of alternative products or services.

• Patient Education (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency in providing patient education in practical applications of moderate difficulty.

• Athletic Training (Intermediate): Demonstrates mastery of athletic training in practical applications of a difficult nature. Possesses sufficient knowledge, training, and experience to be capable of successfully delivering results without requiring support and instruction from others. Able to train and educate by setting the example, giving instruction, providing leadership, and generally raising the level of performance of others while on the job.

Allied health is among the fastest growing occupations in healthcare today. This area can be defined as credentialed professionals who perform supportive, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services to promote health and prevent disease in a variety of settings.

These areas are crucial to Vanderbilt Health’s reputation for excellence in these areas that has made us a major center for patient referrals from throughout the Mid-South.

Each year, people throughout Tennessee and the southeast choose Vanderbilt Health for their health care because of our leadership in medical science and our dedication to treating patients with dignity and compassion.

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Core Accountabilities:

Organizational Impact: Executes job responsibilities with the understanding of how output would affect and impact other areas related to own job area/team with occasional guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Analyzes moderately complex problems using technical experience and judgment. Breadth of Knowledge: Has expanded knowledge gained through experience within a professional area. Team Interaction: Provides informal guidance and support to team members.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues:- Develops Self and Others: Invests time, energy, and enthusiasm in developing self/others to help improve performance e and gain knowledge in new areas.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Maintains regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders using formal and informal opportunities to expand and strengthen relationships.- Communicates Effectively: Recognizes group interactions and modifies one's own communication style to suit different situations and audiences. Delivering Excellent Services:- Serves Others with Compassion: Seeks to understand current and future needs of relevant stakeholders and customizes services to better address them.- Solves Complex Problems: Approaches problems from different angles; Identifies new possibilities to interpret opportunities and develop concrete solutions.- Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Provides ongoing support and coaching in a constructive manner to increase employees' effectiveness. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Engages regularly in formal and informal dialogue about quality; directly addresses quality issues promptly.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Applies various learning experiences by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes of problems and identifies ways to resolve them. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Understands all aspects of providing a safe environment and performs routine safety checks to prevent safety hazards from occurring. Managing Resources Effectively: - Demonstrates Accountability: Demonstrates a sense of ownership, focusing on and driving critical issues to closure.- Stewards Organizational Resources: Applies understanding of the departmental work to effectively manage resources for a department/area.- Makes Data Driven Decisions: Demonstrates strong understanding of the information or data to identify and elevate opportunities. Fostering Innovation:- Generates New Ideas: Proactively identifies new ideas/opportunities from multiple sources or methods to improve processes beyond conventional approaches.- Applies Technology: Demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning new technologies, tools, and procedures to address short-term challenges.- Adapts to Change: Views difficult situations and/or problems as opportunities for improvement; actively embraces change instead of emphasizing negative elements.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications:

LIC-Athletic Trainer, Certified - Licensure-Others, LIC-Driver's License - Tennessee

Work Experience:

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :

1 year

Education:

Master's

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity.  EOE/Vets/Disabled.