Athletic Trainer

High School Athletic Trainer

Scotland High School Laurinburg, North Carolina

Position Title: Athletic Trainer, Licensed Scotland High School

Reports To: Principal, Scotland High School (with clinical oversight per supervising physician protocol); Director of Athletics

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Schedule: NC Licensed Athletic Trainer / School Support Personnel Salary Schedule, commensurate with experience and licensure

Work Schedule: Part-time; hours vary seasonally and include evenings, weekends, and travel for practices, contests, and playoffs

Employee Group: Licensed / Certified Support Personnel

Position Summary

The Athletic Trainer provides on-site prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation services for student-athletes participating in NCHSAA-sanctioned athletics at Scotland High School. The Athletic Trainer works under a written protocol with a supervising physician licensed under Article 1 of Chapter 90 of the North Carolina General Statutes, consistent with the licensure requirements of Article 34 of Chapter 90 (NC Athletic Trainer Licensure Act) and serves as the school's designated Licensed Athletic Trainer under 16 NCAC 06E.0206 and NCHSAA Health & Safety policy. The Athletic Trainer is the school's primary resource for injury prevention, emergency preparedness, and return-to-play decisions, and works collaboratively with coaches, school nurses, administrators, parents/guardians, and community physicians to protect student-athlete health and safety.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Care

• Provide pre-participation screening support, injury prevention, taping/bracing, on-field emergency assessment, first aid, and treatment for injuries and illnesses sustained by student-athletes.
• Evaluate injuries and implement treatment and rehabilitation plans under the supervising physician's written protocol; refer athletes to physicians or specialists as needed.
• Administer and enforce NCHSAA and NFHS concussion-management protocols, including removal-from-play decisions and graduated return-to-play/return-to-learn procedures; no student-athlete may return to play the same day following a suspected concussion.
• Maintain accurate, confidential athlete medical records, injury logs, and treatment documentation in compliance with FERPA and HIPAA-aligned recordkeeping practices.
• Manage communicable disease and heat-illness prevention protocols, including wet-bulb temperature monitoring and hydration planning for practices and contests.

Emergency Preparedness

• Develop, maintain, and rehearse a written Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for all athletic venues in coordination with school administration and local EMS.
• Maintain current certification in CPR/AED and First Aid, and ensure emergency equipment (AED, splinting, spine-boarding equipment) is inspected, stocked, and functional.
• Physically attend all football practices and both home and away football games, as required by NCHSAA policy, unless excused in writing by the Superintendent due to emergency; be physically present whenever protective equipment (helmets/shoulder pads) is worn during football skill development, and at all summer 7-on-7 events and competitions in the trainer's coverage area.
• Coordinate sideline and venue medical coverage for other sanctioned sports based on risk level, in accordance with NCHSAA Health & Safety recommendations.

Compliance and Coordination

• Maintain the written protocol/standing orders with the supervising physician on file with the North Carolina Medical Board and the school.
• Serve as the school's primary point of contact for the NCHSAA Sports Medicine Committee requirements, including required NCHSAA sports-medicine training modules for coaching staff.
• Collect, verify, and maintain required pre-participation physical exam forms and Consent to Participate/Release forms for each athletic team, retained on file at the school.
• Coordinate with the school nurse, counselors, and administration on student-athletes with chronic health conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, cardiac history, sickle cell trait).
• Maintain professional, confidential communication with parents/guardians regarding injuries, treatment plans, and return-to-play status.
• Order, inventory, and maintain athletic training room supplies, equipment, and facility cleanliness/safety standards within budget.
• Supervise any student aides, athletic training students, or per-diem/contracted medical coverage assigned to the athletics program.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal or Director of Athletics that are consistent with the scope of a licensed athletic trainer.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current North Carolina licensure as an Athletic Trainer under Article 34, Chapter 90 of the NC General Statutes (Licensed Athletic Trainer LAT).
• Current certification through the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC-ATC), or eligibility to sit for the BOC exam with licensure obtained prior to the start date.
• Bachelor's degree from a CAATE-accredited athletic training education program (Master's degree preferred, consistent with current entry-to-practice standards).
• Current CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer and First Aid certification.
• A signed written protocol/standing orders agreement with a licensed supervising physician, filed with the NC Medical Board, in place at time of hire or immediately upon employment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain NC Department of Public Instruction licensure/employment clearance, including criminal background check, consistent with Scotland County Schools Board policy.
• Completion of NCHSAA-required sports medicine training modules within the first year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of experience as a licensed/certified athletic trainer in a secondary school or comparable sports medicine setting.
• Experience with electronic athlete health records and injury-tracking software.
• Experience developing or administering an Emergency Action Plan for interscholastic athletics.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of NCHSAA bylaws and Health & Safety policy, 16 NCAC 06E .0206, and NC Chapter 90 Article 34.
• Sound clinical judgment in high-pressure, time-sensitive situations, including emergency and mass-casualty response.
• Strong interpersonal skills for working with adolescents, parents, coaches, physicians, and school administrators.
• Ability to maintain composure, confidentiality, and professional boundaries in a public-facing school and athletics environment.
• Physical ability to respond quickly to field/court emergencies, lift and carry emergency equipment, and work outdoors in varied weather conditions.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Work is performed both indoors (athletic training room, classrooms, offices) and outdoors (practice fields, stadium, gymnasium) in all weather conditions typical of athletic seasons in southeastern North Carolina. The position requires standing and walking for extended periods, kneeling, bending, and lifting up to 50 pounds (emergency equipment, supplies), and the ability to respond immediately to injury emergencies across athletic venues. Evening and weekend work is required during athletic seasons, including travel to away contests.

Terms of Employment

Salary and benefits as established by the Scotland County Schools Board of Education. Length of contract, salary placement, and benefits determined by the Superintendent/designee in accordance with Board policy and North Carolina licensed personnel salary schedules.

Evaluation

Performance evaluated annually by the Principal and Director of Athletics in accordance with Scotland County Schools' evaluation procedures for licensed support personnel, with input from the supervising physician regarding clinical protocol compliance.

Scotland County Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications associated with the position and is subject to revision by the Board of Education or its designee.