Athletic Trainer - Men's Basketball

Grand Canyon University • Phoenix, AZ

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is seeking an Athletic Trainer for its NCAA Division I Men's Basketball program. This role is a key part of a high-performance, multidisciplinary team focused on providing comprehensive, athlete-centered care. The primary responsibilities include the prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, monitoring, and documentation of athletic injuries, with a focus on maximizing player availability and optimizing performance. The Athletic Trainer will collaborate with various staff members, including the Director of Sports Medicine, coaches, performance staff, and other campus resources, to support the overall health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes, while also contributing to the program's competitive and academic success. This role requires adherence to NCAA and Mountain West Conference regulations and an affirmative obligation to report any suspected violations.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3-5+ years of direct experience working with athletes in NCAA Division I basketball or professional basketball settings.
• Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) in good standing and active membership with (NATABOC) the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification.
• Licensed Athletic Trainer (ATC) in the state of Arizona, in good standing.
• Bachelor’s degree in athletic training or related field.
• Maintains current certification in CPR, AED, and First Aid.
• Demonstrated knowledge of sport-specific injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation protocols.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Familiarity with NCAA regulations, emergency action plans, and sports medicine best practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of human biomechanics, supported by specialized education or coursework (i.e., Postural Restoration Institute).
• Knowledge and confident experience with clinical treatment skills, including proficiency in manual therapy techniques (ART, IASTM, FRC) and dry needling certification with practical experience.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Must successfully pass background checks.
• May occasionally and at times frequently travel depending on game schedules, conferences, training, etc. which may require overnight and weekends.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or higher
• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree or equivalent physical therapy credentials in good standings
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification in good standings with the (NSCA) with practical experience training athletes.
• Demonstrated prior experience serving in the leadership capacity of Head Athletic Trainer.
• Former competitive athlete experience at the high school, NCAA or professional level.
• Experience leading dynamic warm-ups and recovery cool-downs, as well as serving as a strength coach or directing athletes and groups within a performance training or rehabilitative environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate student-athlete care, including prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, monitoring, and documentation of athletic injuries.
• Educate and empower student-athletes on sports safety protocols, injury prevention, rehabilitation strategies, hydration, and nutrition.
• Provide education, guidance, and supervision to student-athletes during medical treatments and rehabilitation programs.
• Serve as the primary contact for injury histories of current athletes and recruits, collaborating with the director of sports medicine, team physician, physical therapist, and strength & conditioning coach.
• Coordinate physical examinations, including imaging, EKGs, sickle cell, and laboratory tests.
• Collaborate with physical therapists and strength & conditioning staff on biomechanical screenings and movement assessments.
• Administer baseline concussion evaluations, including Impact testing.
• Facilitate connections between athletes and sports dietitians, mental health professionals, and other specialists.
• Accompany and support athletes during medical appointments, including physician appointments, surgical consultations, and physical therapy sessions.
• Collaborate and consult regularly with the team physician, physical therapist, and Director of Sports Medicine for integrated care.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for injury reports and status updates to various stakeholders.
• Deliver daily injury reports and provide ongoing rehabilitation updates, including estimated return-to-play timelines.
• Coordinate and communicate referrals in collaboration with the student-athlete, Director of Sports Medicine, and Team Physician.
• Deliver daily, comprehensive, and individualized treatment and rehabilitation sessions.
• Develop, customize, and implement individualized pre-activity programs.
• Organize and maintain comprehensive medical documentation within the Smartabase (Teamworks AMS) platform, ensuring HIPAA compliance.
• Oversee documentation for insurance claim submissions related to athletic injuries.
• Serve as the first responder during training, practices, and games, providing immediate care and coordinating first aid.
• Coordinate and lead preseason in-service to practice, audit, and refine the Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
• Follow and execute emergency plans for all venues and manage emergency situations.
• Serve as the host during home games, convening with visiting athletic training staff to review the EAP and introduce team physicians.
• Coordinate and manage the GCU and NCAA Drug Testing Program.
• Maintain accurate and organized records for annual audits and coordinate with the campus liaison for final submission.
• Coordinate and organize the athletic training schedule and treatment/rehab schedules.
• Oversee the organization, cleanliness, storage, and professional presentation of athletic training rooms.
• Manage inventory, stock athletic training supplies, and administer budgets allocated for basketball athletic training needs.
• Oversee the organization and stocking of the arena Team Physician’s room.
• Coordinate and manage the scheduling and logistics for portable imaging (X-Ray) equipment and technicians.
• Organize and prepare all necessary athletic training and medical supplies for road trips and games.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Sports Medicine, including team travel and transportation for medical appointments.
• Provide additional sport coverage as needed at the discretion of the Athletic Department and Director of Sports Medicine.
• Provide additional event coverage for NCAA and Conference Championship events hosted on campus.
• Support the University’s Doctrinal Statement, Ethical Position Statement and Mission of Grand Canyon University.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• 401K savings plan
• Generous time off plan
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU sponsored events
• Free covered parking
• Education Tuition Discount Program for full-time employees, their spouses, and dependent children
• Free on-site gyms on campus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior