Job Description

Discover Vanderbilt Health: With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region.

Organization:

ATC Training Room 1

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.

Athletic Trainer (Women's Basketball) - SEC Athletics

Intercollegiate Athletics – Vanderbilt Commodores (SEC)

Location: Nashville, TN (McGugin Center)

Schedule: Full-Time | 40 hours/week | Variable hours including evenings, weekends, and extensive team travel

Vanderbilt Athletics is seeking an experienced Certified Athletic Trainer to serve as the primary athletic trainer for our Women's Basketball program. This position plays an integral role in the health, safety, performance, and competitive readiness of SEC student-athletes by providing comprehensive athletic training services, injury prevention strategies, clinical care, rehabilitation oversight, and game-day medical coverage.

Working under the direction of the Director of Sports Medicine, you will collaborate with team physicians, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) specialists, strength and conditioning professionals, and performance staff to deliver evidence-based care that supports athlete health, availability, and long-term development.

As a key member of the Sports Medicine team, this position serves as an important liaison between Vanderbilt Athletics and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, providing on-court coverage, injury evaluation, care coordination, rehabilitation oversight, and high-impact sports medicine services for an elite NCAA Division I Women's Basketball program.

Successful candidates will demonstrate exceptional clinical judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a highly visible, high-expectation SEC environment. This role requires adaptability, collaboration, and a commitment to providing world-class care to elite student-athletes.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the Athletic Trainer for Vanderbilt Women's Basketball, providing hands-on coverage for practices, strength and conditioning sessions, competitions, and team travel.
• Deliver comprehensive athletic training and sports medicine services to NCAA Division I Women's Basketball student-athletes.
• Develop, implement, and oversee individualized injury management, rehabilitation, and return-to-play plans in collaboration with physicians and performance staff.
• Coordinate care with team physicians, strength and conditioning staff, sport coaches, and performance specialists to optimize athlete health, availability, and reduce injury risk.
• Perform advanced clinical evaluations and analyze functional data to determine participation readiness and return-to-play timelines.
• Implement evidence-based interventions that support performance optimization and long-term athlete development.
• Promote athlete health, safety, and wellness in alignment with SEC, NCAA, and Vanderbilt Athletics standards.
• Support administrative and operational functions of the Sports Medicine program.
• Travel extensively with the Women's Basketball program throughout conference and non-conference competition, including postseason events.
• Operate motor vehicles to provide coverage at practices, competitions, and team events across multiple locations.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of Vanderbilt Athletics and Sports Medicine initiatives.

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 related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of certified athletic training experience supporting collegiate or professional basketball athletes.
• Demonstrated experience providing injury evaluation, rehabilitation oversight, and return-to-play decision-making for basketball athletes.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable, insurable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within NCAA Division I Athletics.
• Experience supporting NCAA Division I, Power Four/Power Conference, or professional basketball programs.
• Experience working within an integrated sports medicine and performance model.
• Demonstrated success in a fast-paced, competitive, athlete-centered environment.

Why Vanderbilt?

As a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Vanderbilt Athletics offers a unique opportunity to work alongside elite student-athletes, nationally recognized sports medicine professionals, and a collaborative high-performance team.

Supported by the expertise and resources of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, our Sports Medicine program integrates leading-edge clinical care, performance science, and multidisciplinary collaboration to support athletic excellence.

In this role, you will have direct involvement in all aspects of Women's Basketball sports medicine, including athlete care, injury prevention, rehabilitation, return-to-play decision-making, and competitive event coverage, while contributing to the success of one of the nation's premier collegiate athletics programs.

If you're ready to bring your expertise to the SEC, step onto the court with Vanderbilt Women's Basketball and be part of a program competing on the national stage. Apply today.

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: Delivers job responsibilities that impact own job area/team with some guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Uses existing procedures, research and analysis to solve standard job related problems that may require some judgement. Breadth of Knowledge: Requires subject matter knowledge within a professional area to meet job requirements. Team Interaction: Individually contributes to project/ work teams.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues: - Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas. - Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service. - Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns to supervisors in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Shows eagerness to learn new knowledge, technologies, tools or systems and displays willingness to go above and beyond. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively :- Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation: - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them.- Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications:

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

Work Experience:

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :

3 years

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.