Athletic Trainer, Men's Basketball

Grand Canyon University! One of Arizona’s leading institutions of higher learning.  Located in the Valley of Sun in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, GCU is a regionally accredited, private, nondenominational Christian University.

Are you interested in joining a prestigious Division I program? Grand Canyon University's Athletic Department is dedicated to assisting student-athletes in reaching their full potential. Through intercollegiate sports, the department strives to nurture the values of integrity and personal development among our student-athletes.

Under the supervision of the Director of Sports Medicine, this role serves as the primary Athletic Trainer for Grand Canyon University D1 Basketball program. This role is an integral part of a high-performance, multidisciplinary team dedicated to delivering comprehensive, athlete-centered care. Responsibilities include the prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, monitoring and documentation of athletic injuries, with a strong emphasis on maximizing player availability and optimizing human performance. The Basketball Athletic Trainer will collaborate closely with the Director of Sports Medicine, sport coaches, sports performance staff, sports medicine staff, and other campus resources and expert consultants to promote the overall health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes, while supporting the program’s competitive and academic success and mission.

The Basketball Athletic Trainer role is responsible for knowing and complying with the applicable constitution, bylaws, laws, policies, rules, regulations, and/or enforcement structures associated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and of the Mountain West Conference.  This role has an affirmative obligation to report to the Athletic Department’s Office of Athletics Compliance any suspected violation and to fully cooperate in any investigation.

What you will do:

• Primary responsibilities include the coordination of student-athlete care. Including prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, monitoring and documentation of athletic injuries.

• Educate and empower student-athletes with essential knowledge on sports safety protocols, injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies, as well as proper hydration and nutrition practices to support optimal performance and well-being.

• Provide education, guidance, and supervision to student-athletes throughout medical treatments and rehabilitation programs to ensure safe, effective, and timely recovery.

• Serve as the primary contact for gathering and reviewing injury histories of current athletes and recruits, collaborating closely with the director of sports medicine, team physician, physical therapist, strength & conditioning coach to develop individualized plans and risk management strategies. Including:

  • Coordinating physical examinations with team physicians, including imaging, EKGs, sickle cell and laboratory tests.

  • Collaborate with physical therapists and strength & conditioning staff to perform biomechanical screenings and movement assessments.

  • Administer baseline concussion evaluations, including Impact testing, to establish athlete health baselines.

  • Facilitate introductions and ongoing connections between athletes and the sports dietitians, mental health professionals, and additional sport performance and healthcare specialists and resources.

  • Accompany and support athletes during medical-related appointments, including physician appointments, surgical consultations, physical therapy sessions, and additional clinic visits.

  • Collaborate closely and consult regularly with the team physician, physical therapist, and Director of Sports Medicine to ensure integrated, comprehensive care and effective decision-making for athlete health and performance.

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for injury reports and status updates to the Director of Sports Medicine, Team Physician, Director of Performance, Physical Therapist, Athletic Director, Sport Administrator, Head Coach, and basketball personnel.

  • Responsibilities include delivering daily injury reports and providing ongoing rehabilitation updates for players missing significant playing time due to injury. This will include estimated timelines of return to play, which may need to be communicated via text directly to Sport Administrator and Director of Sports Medicine.

  • Coordinate and communicate referrals in collaboration with the student-athlete, Director of Sports Medicine, and Team Physician, facilitating timely access to external specialists to ensure comprehensive athlete care.

• Coordinate and deliver daily, comprehensive, and individualized treatment and rehabilitation sessions addressing athletic injuries, pathologies, and general soreness, ensuring safe and optimal recovery and return-to-play outcomes for student-athletes, including during team travel logistics.

• Develop, customize and implement individualized pre-activity programs based on comprehensive assessments, addressing each athlete’s specific needs to optimize readiness for training, practice, and competition.

• Organizes and maintains comprehensive medical documentation within the Smartabase (Teamworks AMS) platform, ensuring accurate, timely, and secure record-keeping of all athletically related injuries and treatments. This system supports the educational process by providing student-athletes with appropriate access to their medical records, including accident reports, treatment logs, and insurance forms, all managed in strict compliance with HIPAA regulations. Additionally, oversees thorough documentation necessary for insurance claim submissions related to athletic injuries, facilitating efficient and accurate processing.

• Serve as the first responder during training, practices, and games by providing immediate care and coordinating first aid response for student-athletes.

  • Coordinate and lead preseason in-service to practice, audit, and refine the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in collaboration with GCU Campus Security, Emergency Action Plan staff, and Phoenix Police and Fire Departments.

  • Follow and execute emergency plans for all venues and manage emergency situations in the event of acute injuries; recommends changes to established emergency plans to ensure physical safety.

  • Serve as the host during home games at GCU by convening with visiting athletic training staff to present and review the Emergency Action Plan (EAP), introduce them to our team physicians, and provide key points of contact for initiating emergency care and hospitalization transport.

• Coordinate and manage the GCU and NCAA Drug Testing Program for all GCU student-athletes, ensuring full compliance with institutional and NCAA policies and protocols.

  • To be completed at the start of each month during the academic year. Maintain accurate and organized records for annual audits and coordinate with the campus liaison at the end of the academic year for final submission.

• Responsible for coordinating and organizing the athletic training schedule and treatment/rehab schedules to ensure consistent and adequate coverage of the training room.

• Oversee the organization, cleanliness, storage, and professional presentation of the athletic training rooms at the arena and basketball practice facilities.

• Manage inventory, stock athletic training supplies, properly time and place orders, and administer budgets specifically allocated for basketball athletic training needs.

  • Additionally, oversee the organization and stocking of the arena Team Physician’s room to ensure immediate availability of necessary supplies for in-game medical management.

  • Coordinate the scheduling and logistics for portable imaging (X-Ray) equipment and technicians to be onsite prior to the start of the basketball season.

  • Organize and prepare all necessary athletic training and medical supplies required for road trips and games to ensure comprehensive athlete care.

  • Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Sports Medicine, including required team travel, support coverage and, when necessary, providing transportation for student-athletes to medical appointments.

  • At the discretion of the Athletic Department and the Director of Sports Medicine, this position may be assigned additional sport coverage as needed.

• Additional event coverage provided at the discretion of the Athletic Department for NCAA and Conference Championship events hosted on campus. As the institution may bid for and be awarded hosting rights for such events, this responsibility may include cross-sport coverage (e.g., Mtn West Conference).

• Other duties as assigned

What you need:

• Minimum of 3-5+ years of direct experience working with athletes in NCAA Division I basketball or professional basketball settings.

• Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) in good standing and active membership with (NATABOC) the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification.

• Licensed Athletic Trainer (ATC) in the state of Arizona, in good standing.

• Bachelor’s degree in athletic training or related field.

• Maintains current certification in CPR, AED, and First Aid.

• Demonstrated knowledge of sport-specific injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation protocols.

• Strong communication and leadership skills, with experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams.

• Familiarity with NCAA regulations, emergency action plans, and sports medicine best practices.

• Demonstrated knowledge of human biomechanics, supported by specialized education or coursework (i.e., Postural Restoration Institute).

• Knowledge and confident experience with clinical treatment skills, including proficiency in manual therapy techniques (ART, IASTM, FRC) and dry needling certification with practical experience.

• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

• Must successfully pass background checks.

• May occasionally and at times frequently travel depending on game schedules, conferences, training, etc. which may require overnight and weekends.

• Provide a positive example to students by supporting the University’s Doctrinal Statement, Ethical Position Statement and Mission of Grand Canyon University.

Bonus

• Master’s degree or higher

• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree or equivalent physical therapy credentials in good standings

• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification in good standings with the (NSCA) with practical experience training athletes.

• Demonstrated prior experience serving in the leadership capacity of Head Athletic Trainer.

• Former competitive athlete experience at the high school, NCAA or professional level.

• Experience leading dynamic warm-ups and recovery cool-downs, as well as serving as a strength coach or directing athletes and groups within a performance training or rehabilitative environment.

Why work at GCU:

• Exceptional workplace benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a 401K savings plan

• Generous time off plan and 11 paid holidays

• Paid time off to volunteer in the community or at GCU sponsored events

• Free covered parking

• We also offer full-time employees, their spouses, and dependent children an Education Tuition Discount Program

• Free on-site gyms on campus