The Athletic Therapist (AT) is an orthopedic specialist primarily responsible for the acute care, assessment, and management of musculoskeletal injuries, including rehabilitation and Return-to-Play for student-athletes at Douglas College.
Reporting to the Manager, Athletics and Recreation Operations. The AT is responsible for on-field coverage, including, but not limited to, sanctioned competitions and clinical treatments for eight (8) varsity sports teams, comprising approximately 175 student-athletes. AT sideline coverage may be required for exhibition competitions. Clinical assessments and treatments (Clinic hours) are scheduled in collaboration with the Manager, Athletics and Recreation Operations at the beginning of the sports calendar year.
Responsibilities:
1. Injury Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation
- Collect, review and assess pre-participation medical information, perform physical evaluations as required, and conduct baseline concussion testing for all varsity student-athletes.
- Design, implement, and monitor evidence-based, sports-specific injury prevention, conditioning, and educational programs.
- Develop and execute progressive, individualized physical rehabilitation programs using manual therapeutic techniques, therapeutic modalities, and corrective exercise prescriptions to safely transition athletes back to sport.
- Maintain meticulous, confidential digital medical records, in strict compliance with PIPA/FIPPA privacy legislation, CATA standards, and College policies.
- Collaborate with coaches to optimize workload monitoring, injury metrics, and recovery strategies, always prioritizing student-athlete health over competitive outcomes.
- Foster relationships with Student Affairs services (Counselling, Advisors, Accessibility, etc.), Strength and Conditioning coach, and the Manager to provide a wrap-around approach for student-athlete wellness.
- Liaise with other medical and health practitioners, i.e., Physicians, Physiotherapists, osteopaths, specialists, etc., including external healthcare partners to help facilitate a prioritized and streamlined referral process and build a network of healthcare supports.
2. Athletic Therapy Coverage and Sport-Injury Emergency Response
- Act as the primary on-site athletic therapist for all assigned home league competitions for all varsity sports; and AT support for exhibition competitions, conference and national championships (PACWEST/CCAA/NWAC). Travel for away competitions as required.
- Administer professional athletic therapy techniques, including taping, strapping, bracing/ fitting of athletic equipment, hot/cold therapy, cupping, etc., as required before, during and after league competitions.
- Manage acute concussion protocols, liaise with the Manager and Director to guide a collaborative, multidisciplinary Return-to-Learn and Return-to-Play protocols in alignment with best practices, such as Parachute.ca
3. Clinical Administration and Operations
- Coordinate the daily operational logistics of the Athletic Therapy Clinic, maintaining equipment safety certifications, ordering clinical supplies, and providing recommendations for the Athletic Therapy supplies budget to the Manager.
- Perform clinical assessments of acute and chronic athletic injuries sustained during sanctioned sport participation.
- Maintain meticulous, confidential digital medical records ensuring absolute compliance with PIPA/FIPPA privacy legislation, CATA standards, Parachute guidelines, and College policies.
4. Compliance, Safety and Ethical Adherence
- Ensure an understanding of the applicable College’s Standard Operating Policies and Procedures (SOPs), and departmental procedures.
- Foster an ethical environment to ensure a physical and psychological safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed environment free from abuse, harassment, discrimination, or neglect in accordance with Canadian Safe Sport (SIC), the values of the College, Sport Integrity Canada (SIC), CCAA, PACWEST and NWAC sport governing bodies.
- Provide guidance with the therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) and banned substance lists in accordance with the Canadian Anti-Doping program (SIC).
5. Development, Training and Mentorship
- Responsible for developing and coordinating the Student Trainer program, including promoting onboarding, training, monitoring, directing, scheduling and mentoring Student Trainers to ensure appropriate injury prevention support coverage for practices (where applicable) and competitions.
- Engage in professional development in order to implement new clinical techniques and recommend therapeutic equipment to continually enhance the quality and delivery of the athletic therapy program.
- Attend all required department meetings, creation of informative education sessions for the Student-Athlete Orientation, attending regularly scheduled 1:1 meetings
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Therapy, Kinesiology, or a related Sports Science discipline.
- Certified Athletic Therapist (CAT) in good standing with the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA).
- First Responder (FS) Certification or higher, e.g., Emergency Medical Responder preferred, a valid CPR Level C, Basic Life Saving (BLS) and/or First-Aid Certification. An AED certificate is an asset.
- Successful completion of, or immediate eligibility to clear, a standard Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening.
- Completion of mandated Sport Integrity Canada Training (e.g., Canadian Anti-Doping, Canadian Safe Sport, NCCP Ethical Decision Making.
- Minimum of 2–3 years of clinical and field experience providing athletic therapy coverage at the post-secondary (CCAA/U SPORTS) level or within a high-performance sports environment.
- Advanced training in concussion management and soft tissue/manual mobilization techniques.
- Exceptional communication skills with a proven track record of handling high-stress, urgent sport-injury-related scenarios calmly and decisively.
- Demonstrated commitment to a student-centred, holistic approach to wellness that prioritizes physical and emotional well-being.
