The Athletic Trainer (AT) serves as a member of the Human Performance Team responsible for enhancing Soldier readiness, reducing injury risk, and improving physical performance through evidence-based injury prevention, movement optimization, and reconditioning programs. The Athletic Trainer provides musculoskeletal injury risk assessments, develops individualized corrective exercise and reconditioning plans, and collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to support operational readiness and performance optimization for military personnel and other tactical populations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive musculoskeletal and movement assessments to identify injury risk factors and performance limitations.
- Develop and implement individualized injury prevention, corrective exercise, and reconditioning programs designed to enhance Soldier readiness and physical performance.
- Provide education and instruction on injury prevention strategies, movement mechanics, mobility, recovery techniques, and performance enhancement practices.
- Perform functional movement screenings and biomechanical evaluations to identify deficits impacting operational performance.
- Monitor participant progress and modify intervention plans based on assessment findings and performance outcomes.
- Collaborate with Strength and Conditioning Coaches, Registered Dietitians, Cognitive Performance Specialists, and medical providers to develop integrated performance enhancement strategies.
- Support return-to-duty and return-to-performance programs by assisting personnel recovering from injury through structured reconditioning protocols.
- Maintain accurate documentation, records, reports, and performance metrics in accordance with applicable regulations, policies, and contract requirements.
- Deliver group instruction, workshops, and educational briefings on injury prevention, physical readiness, recovery strategies, and human performance optimization.
- Participate in field training events and operational activities as required to assess and support Soldier performance and readiness.
- Remain current with evidence-based practices, emerging research, and professional standards related to athletic training, sports medicine, and tactical performance.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- Master’s or Doctoral degree in Athletic Training from a college or university accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).
- Master’s degree in a related discipline such as Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Medicine, Human Performance, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
Certifications and Credentials
- Current Athletic Trainer, Certified (ATC) credential through the Board of Certification (BOC).
- Successful completion of the Board of Certification (BOC) examination.
- Additional certifications related to sports performance, corrective exercise, injury prevention, or rehabilitation are preferred.
Experience
- Minimum of three (3) years of relevant post-graduate experience within the last four (4) years providing injury risk assessments, reconditioning education, injury prevention services, and sports performance enhancement support to athletes, military personnel, or other high-performing populations.
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing performance optimization and injury mitigation programs.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Comprehensive knowledge of sports medicine principles, injury prevention methodologies, and human performance optimization.
- Ability to conduct movement assessments, functional evaluations, and injury risk screenings.
- Knowledge of exercise prescription, rehabilitation principles, and performance enhancement techniques.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to educate individuals and groups.
- Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary performance team.
- Proficiency in maintaining medical and performance documentation and preparing reports.
- Ability to adapt services to support diverse tactical and operational environments.
Licensure Requirements
- Must possess and maintain a current, valid, unrestricted license in accordance with applicable state requirements and DHA-PM 6025.13, Volume 4.
- All licenses, certifications, and registrations shall remain current, valid, and unrestricted throughout the period of performance.
- Must comply with Title 10 USC 1094 and DHA-PM 6025.13, Volume 4 requirements governing licensure, registration, certification, and telehealth services under non-personal services contracts.
- Additional licenses held by the provider must remain in good standing and free of adverse actions.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting Department of Defense, military, tactical athlete, collegiate athletics, or professional sports performance programs.
- Certifications in corrective exercise, performance enhancement, injury prevention, or return-to-performance methodologies.
- Experience working within multidisciplinary Human Performance or Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) teams.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to demonstrate exercises, corrective movements, and performance techniques.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and move throughout training and operational environments for extended periods.
- Ability to support activities in field environments and varying weather conditions.
- Ability to lift and transport equipment weighing up to 45 pounds.
