Perks and Benefits:

FREE: breakfast, lunch, parking, on-site gym and training classes, gym membership at Chicago Athletic Clubs, Chicago Blackhawks tickets, and annual merchandise kit.  Unlimited snack and nourishment kitchen in office, free Peloton membership, casual dress environment, access to United Center concert events, yearly stipend for home office equipment, flexible work schedule where applicable, competitive total rewards package, full benefits (medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, paid life insurance), comprehensive PTO package, social events, volunteer opportunities, and focused learning and development. 

What It’s Like Working Here:

The Chicago Blackhawks experience isn’t just on the ice. Our office, located in the United Center, promotes a fun, engaging, fast-paced and collaborative atmosphere where we can celebrate both hockey and each other. Our commitment to curating an environment where all individuals feel empowered to bring their best self to work each day can be seen throughout our organization. Whether you are a job seeker looking to join the organization, a current member of our amazing team, or someone looking to help support our mission, our goal is the same – to reimagine the potential of hockey through memorable, inclusive experiences.

The Top Shelf:

The Head Athletic Trainer is responsible for leading the medical staff and establishing goals, objectives and action plans along with the Medical Director for all medical staff. This role leads the group in guiding the athletes to achieve their maximum potential and capabilities that would help minimize injuries and enable them to perform at an optimal level. The Athletic Trainers handle player injuries and evaluate the athletes' conditions during every practice and game and proactively problem solve to mitigate injury risks by implementing training protocols and regulations.

The Head Athletic Trainer manages the standards of the Medical / Athletic Training Staff at a high level of accountability in both clinical and administrative duties. This includes managing, leading, and developing a staff that maintains a high level of clinical skills with the ability to adapt these skills as defined by the collective medical team. This role is responsible for leading the medical staff by establishing goals, objectives, and action plans to mitigate injury risk and enhance overall player health in conjunction with the Medical Director / Head Team Physician. The Medical Staff, under the direction of the Head Athletic Trainer, is responsible to proactively problem solve to mitigate injury risks through periodic movement and strength assessments by implementing individualized programming needs for each player on the roster. Manage the rehabilitation process via objective assessments, program design and implementation of individualized rehab player programs/progressions. In coordination with the medical staff, the Head Athletic Therapist develops individualized player corrective programs, injury management programs and rehabilitative programs. This person must also provide documentation and communication of injuries within the Chicago Blackhawks Organization to the following: Medical Staff, Management, Head Coach and Team Physicians. Manage the guidelines of administrative documentation (as referenced below) as required by the Medical Staff, Team Physicians, Human Resources and Legal Departments of the Chicago Blackhawks and the National Hockey League. Lastly, the Head Athletic Trainer Manages and provides oversight to all Player Development Athletic Trainers in their accountability for the aforementioned documentation throughout the entire year; Off-Season, Training Camp, In-Season and End of Season.

How You'll Contribute:

Manage and teach Medical Staff clinicians to detect dysfunctional movement patterns and design and implement corrective exercise programs to address dysfunctional patterning concerns.
Facilitate Medical Staff and Strength and Conditioning team integration by utilizing continuing education through providing appropriate educational opportunities and material by promoting a culture of progressive learning.
Coordinate and work closely with all the members of the Chicago Blackhawks Medical Network.
Manage daily operational and emergency care utilizing appropriate OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) guidelines.
Manage the care, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries as directed by Team Physicians on a daily, uninterrupted on-site basis to include off-hours, nights and weekends.
Manage pre-participation physicals as needed for Training Camp and the Draft as well as end of season exit physicals on a daily on-site, uninterrupted basis to include off-hours, nights, and weekends.
Manage medical attention and follow-up for those players who require doctor’s appointments and physical therapy on a daily on-site, uninterrupted basis to include off-hours, nights and weekends.
Manage a yearly uninterrupted schedule of Medical Staff coverage for all Chicago Blackhawks activities involving Blackhawks players at designated facility on a daily on-site, uninterrupted basis to include off-hours, nights and weekends.
Adhere to the guidelines of administrative documentation as outlined by the NHL and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) including, but not limited to, EMR/ARMS injury management system, concussion protocols, TUE, Emergency Action Plans, COVID-19 protocols, Worker’s Compensation insurance programs, and budgeting / inventory management.
Conduct educational sessions with selected Player Development and Scouting personnel during Organizational Meetings when appropriate.
Conduct yearly performance evaluations of each Medical Staff member. Review with the appropriate personnel.
Participate in periodic worker’s comp claim reviews to provide information regarding injured players.
Manage and maintain quality assurance both clinically and administratively amongst minor league affiliates as it pertains to standard operating procedures.
Communicate daily with the General Manager, Associate General Managers, Assistant General Manager, Hockey Operations and Head Coach regarding injuries and the progress with players doing rehabilitation.
Communicate and work closely with our Strength and Conditioning Coach regarding injuries and the players ability to do rehabilitation and to what level.
Communicate and work closely with the Director of Psychology and Mental Performance Coach regarding concerns or issues observed during interactions with players.
Schedule medical appointments, surgical dates and appropriate follow up care in coordination with Team Physician, not limited to coordinating transportation and obtaining proper follow up documentation. Ensure communication with team officials (General Manager, Asst General Manager, Head Coach and Hockey Operations staff) in cases of lost time or indication for surgical intervention.
Managet athletic training room supplies, capital expenditures and any additional purchase orders as approved by Asst General Manager or Hockey Operations personnel.
Order Gatorade product orders including Gatorade hydration drinks, protein shakes, power bars and water throughout the season.
Provide open communication directly to front office staff (General Manager, Asst General Manager and Hockey Operations) and Head Coach regarding concerns that directly impact the performance of the team.
Collaborate with team Nutritionist on player needs as it relates to optimizing performance goals.
Coordinate medical coverage for training camp and prospect camp for Chicago Blackhawks.

Player Stats and Qualifications:

4-year Bachelor of Science Degree
Minimum of 3 years of experience (within the past 5 years) in elite hockey, defined as a head or assistant Athletic Therapist in Professional, National Team or College/University Level
Maintain Certification as recognized by the National Athletic Trainers Association - Board of Certification-Athletic Training (NATA-BOC)
Maintain current state licensure in IL as a Licensed Athletic Trainer under the standards of the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
Maintain Professional Liability Insurance Coverage.
Certification in BLS CPR/AED and First Aid.
NOTE: this role cannot be filled by a physical therapist who, in the U.S., is board certified as a Sports Certification Specialist.
Elite communication skills with the ability to demonstrate clear, concise articulation of scenarios, options, risks, mitigations, and recommendations
Exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate effectively to treat each athlete
Proven ability to work efficiently, effectively and calmly under pressure in a fast-paced environment
Ability to manage priorities and coordinate tasks to solve day-to-day challenges
Ability to work long hours, nights, weekends and holidays
Ability to work within a team structure and collaborate
Competencies: consistently accurate evaluator and decision-maker, optimizes processes, extremely detail oriented, communicates effectively and compassionately, instils trust, adapts to all situations

All Star Stats (Preferred Qualifications):

Master’s degree or advanced coursework related to athletic training/healthcare.
Certification or advanced coursework related to Strength and Conditioning
Advanced coursework in the areas of SFMA, FMS, Dry Needling, Manual Therapy Skills (FM, FDM, ART, FR), Tools assisted Manual Therapy, Myofascial Decompression, PRI, DNS, FRS/FRC, Voyer’s work.

The Team:  

The Chicago Blackhawks started their journey as one of the NHL’s “Original Six” professional ice hockey teams in 1926. Members of the Central Division in the NHL’s Western Conference and six-time Stanley Cup Champions (1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013, 2015), the team calls the United Center home.

The Chicago Blackhawks proudly show up every day #ReadyToWork to make Chicago Proud and reimagine the potential of hockey. At its core, the team and greater organization uphold its mission through its core values centered around integrity, curiosity, empathy, collaboration, and originality. They are fiercely dedicated to evolving and delivering new and legendary fan experiences and captivating new and diverse audiences, both on and off the ice. As part of their unwavering commitment to drive impact and purpose in the Chicago community, the organization opened the Fifth Third Arena (the team’s official practice facility and community space for youth hockey development), continues to make expansions to the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, and acquired the AHL team the Rockford IceHogs.

The Chicago Blackhawks continue to grow in its commitments to honor and celebrate Black Hawk's legacy by offering our platforms, making meaningful contributions, collaborating with Native American people, and reimagining ways to support the many Native American people and communities they live amongst and alongside. They engage in this work through their formal partnership with Black Hawk’s ancestral tribe, the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma, which the tribe established with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021.  

The Chicago Blackhawks is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity at all levels. All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, local law, ordinance, or regulation and will not be discriminated against on these bases.