The position is based in Kansas City, Missouri at Swope Soccer Village training center. The role includes being an athletic trainer primarily with Sporting Kansas City’s academy teams but will also be assisting with Sporting KC II (MLS Next Pro) and Sporting Kansas City as needed.

The head athletic trainer’s main function is to oversee all the medical care for assigned Sporting Kansas City academy teams. They will have both clinical and administrative responsibilities and will also be able to assist Sporting KC II (MLS Next Pro) in daily athletic training duties and coverage.

They will serve as an integral part of youth development and will be able to effectively promote health strategies and injury prevention with academy performance coaches. The incumbent will be a liaison between Sporting KC academy teams and Children’s Mercy Hospital.

The athletic trainer will also assist with the medical coverage of all the academy teams throughout the year. This primarily includes U18/16’s home and away games. He/she may also assist in coverage with the other academy teams such as U15/14/13’s and assist with coverage with Sporting KC II home or away games as needed.

Sporting Kansas City is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and equity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all associates. All associates are expected to positively collaborate with individuals of diverse backgrounds. We encourage all talented individuals looking for a challenge to apply.

ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIP

The head athletic trainer reports directly to the Sporting Kansas City Director of Sports Medicine and Children’s Mercy Hospital. He/she will also work alongside Sporting KC athletic trainers, performance coaches, technical staff, physical therapists, and team dietitian.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training; Master’s degree in health related field preferred, with current NATA certification. 1-2 years in soccer or other professional sport.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties include: Develop preventative strategies, evaluation, treatment and management of athletic injuries, communication with Sporting KC director of Sports Medicine and Children’s Mercy doctors, appropriate record keeping, and education of our academy players.

The athletic trainer will manage and oversee the medical care of assigned academy teams and assist Sporting KC II athletic trainer in daily duties and treatments.
The athletic trainer will be responsible for evaluating and referring injuries to Children’s Mercy Hospital physicians as appropriate. The candidate will also have the ability to build relationships and communicate with Sporting KC II team physicians.
The athletic trainer will be responsible for the delivery of Sporting Kansas City and Children’s Mercy’s core standards in professionalism, communication and overall medical care provided to their academy players.
The athletic trainer will primarily provide coverage for the academy teams assigned which include U18/16’s training and home and away games. This also includes occasional travel with the other academy teams and Sporting KC II or as needed. Other coverage includes futsal training and games in the offseason.
The athletic trainer will be able to collaborate with performance coaches in the implementation of preventative strategies and RTP protocols.
The candidate will have an opportunity to work with USL players in the daily treatment, and implementation of rehabilitation protocols and RTP progression protocols as assigned.
The athletic trainer will be able to communicate effectively between different properties such as Sporting Kansas City, Sporting KC II and Children’s Mercy. Additionally, communicate with coaches and parents on athlete’s overall medical care and recommendations.
The athletic trainer will be able to schedule Children’s Mercy MD coverage for games or weekly onsite visits.
The athletic trainer will have experience with appropriate record keeping and be familiar with the MLS EMR (ARMS) system.
The athletic trainer will be able to coordinate yearly physicals and administer baseline impact testing.
The athletic trainer will assist in data collection for future department research with Children’s Mercy Hospital.
The athletic trainer will be able to maximize resources provided by Children’s Mercy and new training facility to provide cutting edge evidenced based medical care to the academy players.
The athletic trainer will have the ability to supervise an assistant athletic trainer, an athletic training fellow and athletic training students.
The athletic trainer will send daily and weekly medical reports to coaches, physicians and other staff members in the organization.
The athletic trainer will be able to perform the following functions regarding athletic injuries: prevention, assessment, treatment, (including first aide) and reconditioning as set forth by the NATA Board of certification to all the academy team players.
Comply with all Sporting KC and MLS Next soccer policies and procedures.
The athletic trainer will demonstrate proper taping, strapping, bracing, and fitting of athletic equipment.
The athletic trainer will carry out all prescribed treatments and recommendations by the team/program/event physician to academy teams.
The athletic trainer will maintain NATA and CPR certification in accordance with those respective institutions.
The athletic trainer will assist in maintaining inventory supplies and keeping Swope Park athletic training room clean and organized per Sporting KC standards.
Perform other duties as assigned and be able to adapt with schedule changes in training sessions or games.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicant must be able to comply with MLS Next Safety and Well-Being policy and any other applicable child safety policies provided to applicants by Sporting KC
NATABOC Certification - must be in good standing with the NATABOC and a member or the NATA
Missouri & Kansas Licensure Required
CPR/AED for the Health Care Provider
Must possess a valid passport/drivers license
Must be able to work games scheduled, which may be at night and on weekends and holidays
Flexible work schedule; ability to work several hours for some matches and full days for others
Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs without assistance and stand/walk for long periods of time

Assistant Athletic Trainer & Head Athletic Trainer (SKCA)