OPS ATHLETIC TRAINER - 48914003

State of Florida•Saint Augustine, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for an OPS (Other Personal Services) Athletic Trainer within the Athletics Department of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. The role involves establishing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive athletic training program for high school athletics. Key responsibilities include providing first aid and comprehensive athletic training services such as injury assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning for both FSDB and visiting student-athletes during practices, contests, and tournaments. The Athletic Trainer will also coordinate annual athletic physicals, manage medical clearance and return-to-play processes, and maintain accurate health records in compliance with FHSAA and FSDB requirements. Communication with physicians, parents, coaches, and school directors regarding athlete care is essential. The role requires documenting injuries and treatments, assisting coaching staff with conditioning and injury prevention programs, and managing athletic training supplies and equipment. Furthermore, the Athletic Trainer is responsible for promoting a safe athletic environment, reviewing Emergency Action Plans, and providing training to staff. The position also involves creating educational opportunities for students interested in health sciences and collaborating with healthcare providers. This is a seasonal position, working up to 28 hours weekly from August to May, with flexible hours that include afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays for events and travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree (or higher), from an accredited college or university, in related field.
Work experience in the applicable area of responsibility may be substituted at the rate of four (4) years equivalent to one (1) year of college.
Three (3) years of experience in related field.
Current BOC Certification as an Athletic Trainer.
Knowledge of the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of sports-related injuries consistent with the professional scope of a Certified Athletic Trainer.
Knowledge of injury-prevention strategies, conditioning principles, return-to-play criteria, and general wellness practices for student-athletes.
Knowledge and skilled application of therapeutic and rehabilitative modalities, including but not limited to cryotherapy, thermotherapy, mechanical stimulation, massage, light, sound, electricity, water, air, therapeutic exercise, reconditioning, and fitness programs.
Strong skills in assessing, managing, treating, rehabilitating, and reconditioning student-athletes and evaluating athlete readiness for participation.
Skill in developing, implementing, and monitoring sport-specific conditioning, strengthening, injury-prevention, and general wellness programs.
Skill in the proper selection, fitting, evaluation, and use of sport and rehabilitative equipment.
Strong oral, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with coaches, athletic administrators, healthcare providers, supervising physicians, parents, and other stakeholders.
Skill in maintaining accurate, detailed, and confidential medical and treatment records; generating reports; and using FSDB-designated documentation systems.
Strong proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software to support recordkeeping, reporting, education, and program management.
Ability to work effectively in high-stress situations, including emergency care scenarios and time-sensitive injury management.
Ability and willingness to travel with athletic teams to away contests, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required.
Ability to maintain a valid State of Florida Driver’s License and meet FSDB requirements to operate a school or state vehicle in accordance with Transportation Policy.
Ability to complete required training and maintain current certification in CPR, AED, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training (CPI); or equivalent emergency response training.
Applicants who are selected for hire will be required to attain an Advanced proficiency in sign language, within four years of hire.

Nice To Haves

Commitment to supporting a safe, accessible, and inclusive athletic environment consistent with FSDB’s mission.
Familiarity with FHSAA policies, concussion protocols, and return to play procedures.
Experience modifying emergency action plans, taping/rehab instruction, and environmental safety considerations for blind/low vision athletes (e.g., spatial orientation, equipment placement, safe travel paths).
Demonstrated in building strong, collaborative relationships with students, parents, coaches, Athletic staff, and the wider school community.
Ability to work effectively with Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind/Visually Impaired student athletes, including adapting communication, instruction, and care to meet individual needs.
Willingness to learn and use American Sign Language (ASL) and tactile/visual communication strategies appropriate for students with sensory disabilities.

Responsibilities

Establish, implement, and maintain a comprehensive athletic training program for high school athletics.
Ensure the athletic training/healthcare facility is clean, organized, safe, and operating efficiently.
Provide first aid and comprehensive athletic training services including injury assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning for FSDB student-athletes and visiting student-athletes participating in official practices, contests, or tournaments.
Provide athletic training services at designated home athletic events and practices from the start of the fall sports season through the conclusion of the spring sports season.
Coordinate annually required athletic physicals and supervise the medical clearance and return-to-play process for injured student-athletes before and during sport seasons.
Maintain accurate, secure, and up-to-date health and medical records in accordance with FHSAA and FSDB requirements.
Maintain consistent and professional communication with supervising/treating physicians, parents/guardians, coaches, the Athletic Director, and the Executive Director of Physical Education and Health regarding injury evaluations, treatment plans, rehabilitation progress, and return-to-play recommendations.
Document all athletic injuries and treatments using FSDB-designated systems in compliance with FSDB policies, state regulations, and athletic training best practices.
Maintain daily injury treatment logs, incident reports, and provide seasonal and/or annual injury data summaries as requested by the Principal and the Athletic Director.
Assist coaching staff with the development and implementation of sport-specific conditioning, strengthening, and injury-prevention programs.
Assist with the selection, fitting, and proper use of protective and medical equipment, including taping, braces, pads, and team medical kits.
Oversee inventory and maintenance of athletic training supplies and equipment.
Maintain an up-to-date inventory and submit an annual budget request for supplies and equipment to the Athletic Director or Executive Director of Physical Education and Health.
Promote a safe athletic environment by monitoring and managing environmental risks (e.g., heat, weather, field conditions).
Review and maintain venue-specific Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and provide training to coaching and athletic staff on emergency procedures.
Create and support educational opportunities and learning experiences for students interested in pursuing careers in health sciences or athletic training.
Share current professional literature, research, and best practices related to injury prevention, wellness, and athletic performance with coaching staff.
Provide training and informational sessions for coaches, athletic staff, and other student-contact personnel on wellness, fitness, injury prevention, emergency care, and safe participation in athletic activities.
Provide athletic training services under the direction of a supervising physician and in accordance with State of Florida athletic training laws and professional standards.
Collaborate with physicians, coaches, and other service providers to develop and implement rehabilitation, strengthening, conditioning, and sport-specific training programs.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the Principal, Executive Director of Physical Education and Health, or Athletic Director.