Director of Sports Medicine

Bethune-Cookman University Job Title: Director of Sports Medicine Division: Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Reporting To: Vice President of Athletics or designee (NCAA Division I | SWAC) POSITION SUMMARY The Director of Sports Medicine provides strategic, clinical, and administrative leadership for the University’s sports medicine and athletic training operations.

The Director oversees comprehensive student-athlete health care, including injury and illness prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, emergency response, and return-to-play coordination. The position establishes and evaluates policies, clinical protocols, and operational procedures that promote student-athlete health, safety, and wellness while ensuring compliance with applicable NCAA, SWAC, state, federal, institutional, and professional standards.

The Director collaborates with Athletics leadership, coaches, team physicians, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning personnel, mental health professionals, and campus and community health providers to deliver coordinated, evidence-based care.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Sports Medicine Leadership and Clinical Oversight Direct and evaluate sports medicine operations and athletic training services across assigned intercollegiate sports. Oversee injury prevention, clinical evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation, medical referrals, and appropriate follow-up care. Coordinate pre-participation physicals, medical clearances, and return-to-sport processes with qualified health care professionals. Establish evidence-based clinical protocols and protect appropriate medical decision-making independent of competitive pressures. Promote student-athlete education in injury prevention, recovery, hydration, nutrition, sleep, and overall wellness.
2. Emergency Preparedness and Risk Management Develop, implement, and regularly review emergency action plans for practices, competitions, training facilities, and athletic activities. Coordinate emergency response with team physicians, emergency medical services, campus police, coaches, and University personnel. Maintain appropriate emergency equipment, medical supplies, and procedures addressing concussions, cardiac emergencies, heat illness, and other significant health risks. Conduct appropriate staff training, emergency drills, incident reviews, and corrective action planning.
3. Personnel Leadership and Development Recruit, supervise, evaluate, and mentor athletic training staff and other assigned sports medicine personnel, e.g., student interns and contracted ATC’s Establish clear responsibilities, staffing schedules, sport coverage plans, and performance expectations. Verify required professional licensure, certifications, continuing education, and emergency care credentials. Foster collaboration, accountability, ethical conduct, and professional development across the sports medicine and athletic training team.
4. Compliance, Documentation, and Student-Athlete Welfare Ensure compliance with applicable NCAA, SWAC, Florida licensure, University, and other relevant legal and professional requirements. Maintain accurate, secure medical records and appropriate reporting systems in accordance with applicable privacy and recordkeeping laws, including HIPAA and FERPA where applicable. Coordinate authorized medical screenings and drug-testing procedures in accordance with applicable policies and requirements. Collaborate with counseling services, campus health providers, and qualified mental health professionals to facilitate appropriate student-athlete referrals and support. Maintain appropriate confidentiality and uphold professional ethics, medical independence, and student-athlete welfare.
5. Budget, Facilities, and Operational Management Develop and monitor sports medicine budgets, staffing requirements, medical supply inventories, and equipment needs in coordination with Athletics leadership. Oversee the safety, cleanliness, functionality, and readiness of athletic training and rehabilitation facilities. Coordinate procurement, equipment maintenance, medical coverage, and external health care partnerships. Evaluate resource utilization and recommend improvements that strengthen service delivery and fiscal stewardship.
6. Collaboration and Program Assessment Maintain effective working relationships with Athletics leadership, head coaches, assistant coaches, strength and conditioning staff, compliance, academic support, campus health services, and external medical providers. Coordinate injury-related restrictions, rehabilitation progress, and activity modifications with authorized personnel while protecting confidential medical information. Establish measurable program objectives and assess injury trends, rehabilitation outcomes, emergency preparedness, compliance, staffing effectiveness, and service quality. Provide periodic reports and recommendations to the Director of Athletics and participate in departmental planning and professional development.
7. Additional Responsibilities Perform other related duties as assigned by the Vice President of Athletics or designee. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in athletic training or a related field that satisfies applicable professional credentialing requirements. Current Board of Certification (BOC) certification and Florida athletic training licensure, or eligibility to obtain required Florida licensure before employment, as applicable. Current CPR/AED and other required emergency care credentials. Minimum of three years of progressively responsible athletic training or sports medicine experience, preferably in intercollegiate athletics. Demonstrated knowledge of injury prevention, clinical care, rehabilitation, emergency response, medical documentation, and return-to-sport principles. Demonstrated leadership, communication, organizational, supervisory, and problem-solving skills. Working knowledge of applicable NCAA, conference, institutional, and professional requirements. Commitment to student-athlete health and safety, confidentiality, ethical conduct, and collaborative leadership. Ability to work early mornings, late evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours consistent with intercollegiate athletics schedules. Valid Florida driver’s license or ability to obtain one, if required for assigned duties.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in athletic training, sports medicine, health care administration, exercise science, or a related field. Five or more years of collegiate sports medicine experience, including supervisory or administrative leadership. Experience in NCAA Division I athletics, budget management, emergency preparedness, electronic medical records, and interdisciplinary health care coordination.

LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS The Director must demonstrate sound clinical judgment, strategic planning, fiscal responsibility, effective personnel management, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The successful candidate will build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and student-athlete-centered care while balancing institutional resources with the responsibility to protect student-athlete health and safety.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, including standing, walking, bending, assisting with emergency response, working in indoor and outdoor environments, and traveling with teams as assigned. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, sex, retaliation, marital status, religion or disability, or any other applicable local, state, or federal regulation.

Inquiries regarding provisions for persons with disabilities, equal employment opportunity, and Title IX matters should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at 386-481-2049. The university reserves the right to modify job descriptions at any time in its attempts to improve the operations of the university