Athletic Trainer

Expectation and Condition of Employment

Howard Payne University, a church-related institution affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, seeks to employ evangelical Christians who are dedicated to teaching and service as they model the principles of the Christian faith and the University’s sincere religious beliefs.

Howard Payne University (hereafter, University) is committed to the integration of learning and Christian faith in the pursuit of truth. Employees are expected to embrace the Christian Mission Statement and Core Values of the University and must support the University’s affirmation of traditional Christian and Baptist beliefs by leading lives of service through active involvement in Christian activities both on campus and through a local church.

Mission Statement

Howard Payne University is a Christ-centered academic community dedicated to excellence by developing and equipping the whole person for intellectual inquiry, personal and professional integrity, and service to God and humanity.

Core Values of Howard Payne University

We believe and affirm that the University as an institution and each individual called to serve the Lord at Howard
Payne should strive to demonstrate a commitment to these five Core Values:

• Centered on Christ   (cf. Col. 3:17, Matt. 7:24)
• Focused on Community   (cf. Eph. 4:4-6, 1 Pet. 3:8)
• Called to Service   (cf. Mark 10:45, Phil. 2:3-5)
• Committed to Excellence   (cf. Gen. 1:31, 1 Cor. 9:24)
• Dedicated to Stewardship   (cf. Gen. 2:15, 1 Pet. 4:10)

As a condition of employment, employees agree to be paid by Direct Deposit. Applicants offered contingent employment based on the University obtaining a clean background check agree the contingent offer of employment may be revoked based on the information obtained in the background check.

If offered employment, your acceptance will indicate that you have read and agree to the Expectations and Conditions above.

Application Procedure

To be considered for this position, please submit the following:

• a letter of application addressing in detail how you meet the position requirements
• a resume or CV (curriculum vitae)
• unofficial transcripts, and
• a completed HPU Employment Application

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the Director of Athletic Training Services, the Athletic Trainer evaluates physical conditions and advises and treats student-athletes to maintain maximum physical health for participation in athletic competition. The Athletic Trainer also maintains medical records, athletic insurance, and other medical paperwork required from the university's athletes and support personnel. The Athletic Trainer will also follow policies and procedures of the athletic department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. These duties may be performed personally or through subordinate employees and athletic training students.

1. Plan and implement comprehensive athletic injury and illness prevention programs
2. Instruct coaches, student-athletes, parents, medical personnel, and community members in the care and prevention of athletic injuries
3. Recommend special diets in order to optimize student-athlete performance
4. Confer with coaches in order to select protective equipment
5. Advise student-athletes on the proper use of equipment
6. Provide medical coverage for all assigned athletic competitions home and away, practices, and events for the university
7. Conduct an initial assessment of a student-athlete's injury or illness in order to provide emergency or continued care, and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment
8. Care for athletic injuries using physical therapy equipment, techniques, and medication. Apply protective or injury preventive devices such as tape, bandages, or braces to body parts.
9. Accompany injured student-athletes to the hospital when possible
10. Evaluate student-athletes' readiness to play, and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted
11. Assess and report the progress of recovering student-athletes to Director of Athletic Training Services, coaches, and physicians
12. Collaborate with physicians in order to develop and implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs for athletic injuries
13. Supervise the athletic training students
14. Assist with the supervision of Chapel and monitor the academic success of athletic training students.  
15. Follow Howard Payne University, NCAA, ASC policies and procedures directly related to athletic training and best practices. Related to the care, safety, and overall welfare of the student-athletes including but not limited to the prevention, management, evaluation, education, and treatment and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. Follow policies and procedures of the athletic training department
16. Other duties as assigned 

Compliance with NCAA Rules and Regulations 

An additional essential duty of all athletic trainers is to comply with all NCAA and American Southwest Conference (ASC) regulations regarding athletic training and best practices. The athletic trainers will also report any known NCAA/ASC violations to the appropriate personnel at the University. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

Serve as a clinical preceptor in the CAATE accredited athletic training program in conjunction with the Clinical Education Coordinator and the Director of Athletic Training Program. 

Required Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

1. Modeling Christian Faith – Must be committed to modeling the Christian faith; displays a proven record of modeling the Christian faith in business operations, management roles, customer service functions, and interactions with others; is committed to continuing to model Christian faith in a manner consistent with the University’s mission Statement and Core Values
2. Problem - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well problem solving as part of a group; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics
3. Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to build knowledge and skills continuously; shares expertise with others
4. Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict without blaming others; consistently maintains confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting them; keeps his or her emotions under control; remains open to others' ideas and tries new things
5. Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions; demonstrates effective group presentation skills; participates actively in meetings
6. Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; edits his or her work for correct spelling and grammar; varies his or her writing style as needed; presents numerical data effectively; is able to read and interpret written information effectively
7. Teamwork - Balances the needs of the team and individual responsibilities effectively; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts the success of the team above his or her own interests; is able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed
8. Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; inspires respect and trust and motivates others to perform well; mobilizes others to fulfill the University’s Mission Statement while embracing the University’s Core Values; provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates; exhibits self-confidence and confidence in others; influences actions and opinions of others effectively; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others
9. Delegation - Delegates work assignments effectively; matches the responsibility to the appropriate person; gives employees the authority to work independently; sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; provides recognition for results
10. Managing People - Includes subordinate employees in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; is available to staff; provides regular performance feedback; develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; solicits and applies feedback (internal and external); fosters quality focus in others; improves processes and services; continually works to improve skills
11. University Support - Follows policies and procedures consistently; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports the University’s Mission Statement and Core Values; benefits the University through external community and professional activities; supports affirmative action and respects diversity
12. Ethics - Treats everyone with respect; keeps commitments; inspires others to trust him or her; works with integrity and ethically; upholds the University's Mission Statement and Core Values
13. Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities effectively; uses time efficiently; plans for additional resources if necessary; sets goals and objectives; organizes and schedules other people and their tasks; develops realistic action plans
14. Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts personal responsibility for his or her own actions; follows through with commitments
15. Safety and Security - Observes University safety and security policies and procedures; determines appropriate actions beyond guidelines; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly
16. Dependability - Follows instructions; responds effectively to his or her supervisor’s direction; takes responsibility for his or her own actions and keeps commitments; commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan

Qualifications 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities listed above satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Education and/or Experience - A Bachelor’s in athletic training or a related field from an accredited University.  A Master’s degree is preferred
2. Certificates and Licenses - Must maintain a current Texas driver's license to drive their personal vehicle on behalf of the University.  Must be certified by the Board of Certification of the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification, and be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
3. Language Skills – Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals in English; ability to write routine reports and correspondence; ability to speak effectively before groups of students, employees of the University and the public
4. Math Skills – Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs
5. Reasoning Ability – Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form in English
6. Computer Skills – To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet software, word processing software, and electronic medical record software
7. Other Required Qualifications – Must be able to travel away from home 60% of the time with teams on out-of-town trips
8. Physical Abilities - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
9. Work Environment - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock and is regularly exposed to extreme outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals used to clean and/or renovate buildings and maintain the grounds and athletic fields of the University. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.