Sports Medicine Physician

Sacramento State•Sacramento, CA

20h

About The Position

The Sports Medicine Physician provides comprehensive medical care to Sacramento State student-athletes in accordance with NCAA regulations, California state law, CSU policies, and SHCWS clinical standards. The incumbent is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and medical management of sports-related injuries and all medical conditions within the scope of sports medicine and primary care practice. The Sports Medicine Physician is responsible for ensuring that all medical services provided to student-athletes are delivered in full compliance with NCAA Division I health and safety regulations, institutional risk management standards, CSU policies, and SHCWS policies, procedures, and clinical standards. The Sports Medicine Physician serves as a key clinical leader, consultant, and mentor within an interdisciplinary team that includes athletic trainers, primary care providers, mental health clinicians, and campus leadership. The Sports Medicine Physician provides comprehensive medical care to students and student-athletes, including diagnosis, treatment, and injury prevention. This position collaborates closely with healthcare professionals within SHCWS, athletic trainers, coaches, to support the well-being of students, and student-athletes and ensure compliance with NCAA and university policies. Student Health, Counseling and Wellness Services (SHCWS) embraces a holistic and collaborative approach to healthcare by offering urgent care, primary care, preventative services, wellness education, violence support services, and mental health, services to the Sacramento State campus community. SHCS is committed to providing quality care and service delivery and is accredited through the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of and the ability to effectively and efficiently apply the principles and methods essential to the diagnosis and treatment of medical and/or mental health disorders within the scope of the assigned specialty
Understanding of community resources for referral of medical and/or mental health care and treatment in the specialty beyond the scope of the Student Health Center or Counseling Services practice.
Knowledge of local, state, and national laws and regulations pertaining to the medical field and the assigned specialty.
Thorough knowledge of applicable professional ethics standards and patient privacy
Ability to serve as a mentor and resource consultant for other health center or Counseling Services personnel
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of medical practitioners and specialists, as well as students, administrators, staff and faculty.
Graduation from a medical school and completion of one or more residency programs and/or fellowships accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or equivalent in a specialty appropriate to their assigned specialty duties.
A valid license to practice medicine in the State of California.
Current board certification in an American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) specialty or subspecialty appropriate for their assigned specialty duties.
A valid Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) registration and number for prescribing controlled substances.
Current cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator (CPR/AED) certification as appropriate for the assigned duties.
Board-certification in American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) Primary Care specialty or Board certification in other ABMS specialty with appropriate primary care training/experience.
Thorough knowledge of, and the ability to effectively apply, the principles and methods essential to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sports-related injuries and illnesses, including musculoskeletal, orthopedic, and non-operative surgical care; acute and overuse injuries; concussion management; fracture care; joint instability; ligamentous injury; and medical conditions commonly encountered in intercollegiate athletics.
Knowledge of current medical advances in sports medicine and general medicine, including evidence-based injury prevention strategies, performance optimization, concussion protocols, heat illness prevention, and emerging standards in athlete health education and risk reduction.
Thorough knowledge of community resources and referral networks for sports medicine, general medicine, orthopedic surgery, behavioral health, nutrition, physical therapy, imaging services, and specialty consultation beyond the scope of SHCWS practice.
Thorough knowledge of local, state, and national laws and regulations pertaining to medical practice, including NCAA health and safety regulations, California medical practice standards, and treatment considerations for mental health conditions affecting student-athletes.
Comprehensive knowledge of conditions and disorders associated with sports medicine and collegiate athletics, including but not limited to: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) Female Athlete Triad and menstrual cycle irregularities Eating disorders and disordered eating patterns Body image concerns and performance-related psychological stress Overtraining syndrome Substance use and performance-enhancing drug considerations Anxiety, depression, and adjustment disorders in student-athletes Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, and coordinate interdisciplinary care for these conditions in collaboration with athletic training, medical services, nutrition services, and counseling services.
Current competency to assess, diagnose, and treat college-aged patients, including NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletes requiring urgent or emergent care, consistent with recognized standards of sports medicine, general medical care, and NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook best practices.
Ability to make independent return-to-play and medical clearance decisions grounded in clinical evidence and athlete safety.
Knowledge and understanding of current recognized standards of care within the scope of licensure, including concussion management protocols, cardiac screening considerations, heat acclimatization guidelines, emergency action planning, and pre-participation evaluation standards.
Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and discretion in compliance with HIPAA, FERPA (as applicable), NCAA confidentiality standards, and institutional policy.
Excellent computer skills and proficiency in electronic health record systems and clinical documentation platforms.
Ability to accurately document, maintain, and safeguard medical records in compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements.
Ability to serve as a mentor and clinical resource consultant for athletic training staff, primary care providers, medical assistants, and other SHCWS personnel, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and evidence-based practice.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including physicians, surgeons, behavioral health providers, athletic trainers, coaches, student-athletes, administrators, faculty, local hospitals, emergency services, and public mental health agencies.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in working with young adult populations, including the ability to provide clear education regarding injury prevention, treatment plans, medication management, and return-to-play expectations.
Demonstrated ability to provide culturally responsive, inclusive, and student-centered care to a diverse NCAA Division I student-athlete population consistent with SHCWS values and university commitment to equity and access.
Willingness to travel and attend off-site athletic events, competitions, and required professional development programs as necessary to support team participation and maintain clinical competency.
Ability to work extended or non-traditional hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-back situations, to support athletic events and urgent student-athlete medical needs.
Ability to complete the background check process, LiveScan, and licensure requirement verification.

Nice To Haves

Three or more years of progressively responsible clinical experience in Sports Medicine, preferably within an NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics program or similarly high-performance athletic environment.
Demonstrated experience practicing within an integrated university Student Health, Counseling & Wellness Services (SHCWS) model, including collaboration with primary care, mental health providers, health promotion, and risk management functions.
Prior or current medical staff privileges or formal affiliation with a hospital, orthopedic surgical group, or outpatient specialty clinic, supporting coordinated referral pathways, imaging access, and specialty consultation for student-athletes.
Advanced knowledge of NCAA Division I Sports Medicine best practices, including: Concussion management and return-to-learn protocols Heat illness prevention and emergency action planning Pre-participation physical evaluation standards Cardiac screening considerations Mental health best practices for student-athletes Substance use and banned substance education
Experience serving as a Team Physician with responsibility for sideline coverage, medical clearance decisions, and interdisciplinary coordination with certified athletic trainers.
Demonstrated experience in collaborative management of complex athlete health conditions, including: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) Female Athlete Triad and menstrual health considerations Eating disorders and performance-related mental health concerns Chronic orthopedic conditions requiring surgical coordination Return-to-play decision-making following significant injury or illness
Experience participating in NCAA compliance reviews, institutional risk assessments, or health and safety audits, particularly within a Division I athletics structure.
Demonstrated leadership within a multidisciplinary sports medicine team, including mentorship of athletic trainers, coordination with coaching staff, and participation in policy development or quality improvement initiatives.
Experience utilizing electronic health record systems within a university health setting and supporting documentation standards consistent with institutional accreditation and regulatory compliance.
Evidence of ongoing professional development in Sports Medicine, including conference participation, continuing medical education, or involvement in national organizations such as AMSSM or ACSM.

Responsibilities

Diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and medical management of sports-related injuries and all medical conditions within the scope of sports medicine and primary care practice.
Ensuring that all medical services provided to student-athletes are delivered in full compliance with NCAA Division I health and safety regulations, institutional risk management standards, CSU policies, and SHCWS policies, procedures, and clinical standards.
Serving as a key clinical leader, consultant, and mentor within an interdisciplinary team that includes athletic trainers, primary care providers, mental health clinicians, and campus leadership.
Collaborating closely with healthcare professionals within SHCWS, athletic trainers, coaches, to support the well-being of students, and student-athletes and ensure compliance with NCAA and university policies.