Title: Athletic Trainer
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: School of Kinesiology and Recreation
Campus Location: Normal, IL
The athletic trainer for the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Therapy (SMART) Clinic and Gamma Phi Circus will provide high-quality, patient-centered healthcare services within the SMART Clinic at Illinois State University, housed in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation and Gamma Phi Circus, the oldest collegiate circus in the nation. This position plays a key role in delivering evidence-based care to a diverse patient population while supporting the educational mission of the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) Program.
The athletic trainer is responsible for the comprehensive evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, and management of patients presenting with musculoskeletal injuries and other conditions appropriate for athletic training services. Responsibilities include conducting thorough patient assessments, developing and implementing individualized treatment and rehabilitation plans, providing injury prevention and wellness education, documenting all patient encounters in accordance with professional and institutional standards, and communicating effectively with referring physicians and other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated, high-quality patient care. The athletic trainer will provide coverage during practices, competitions, and events, supporting the health, safety, and performance of student circus artists through injury prevention, emergency care, rehabilitation, condition support, and wellness education.
This role works closely with directors, performers, and medical providers to maintain a safe training and performance environment for a collegiate circus program.
In addition to clinical responsibilities, the athletic trainer will serve as a clinical preceptor for students enrolled in the Illinois State University Master of Athletic Training Program. The successful candidate will provide supervision, instruction, mentorship, and constructive feedback to athletic training students during their clinical education experiences.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, a commitment to patient-centered care, and mentoring future athletic training professionals.
The position is currently for one year. Additional opportunities to adjunct classes or support athletic training activities per diem may be available. CEU and professional development support is also available.
University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holidayadministrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time
Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/
$49,500
1. Bachelor's degree.
2. State of Illinois Athletic Training license or Illinois Athletic Training license eligible.
3. Board of Certification (BOC) certified.
4. CPR/AED certified
1. Master’s degree.
2. 1-2 years of athletic training clinical experience, preferably with a performance circus.
Hours for Gamma Phi Circus include Sundays 3-7:30pm, Mondays 5-9pm, and Thursdays 5-9pm in Horton Fieldhouse South Gym. SMART Clinic hours will be around these hours during the work week to address student-performer rehabilitation, as well as general student referrals primarily in the afternoon. Additional hours required for Spring Break practices, show week, and offsite exhibitions. Work schedule can be flexible based on the availability of the person hired.
Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Ability to stand for long periods of time.
2. Ability to lift 15 - 25 pounds.
3. Ability to occasionally bend, twist reach, kneel, squat, push, pull or climb onto a table to perform duties consistent with action necessary to medically treat patients.
4. Have high manual dexterity.
5. Ability to work in the heat.
September 2026
Resume
Cover Letter
Reference List
Please Note These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"
Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.
Noelle Selkow
nselkow@ilstu.edu
This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.
Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383 The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.
If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311
