Description
Deliver comprehensive medical care for a sports team, covering injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, and return-to-play decisions, while coordinating coverage at practices and games and directing team medical operations.
- • Provide sideline and training room evaluation and treatment during practices and games.
- • Lead preparticipation physicals and baseline screenings for all athletes.
- • Make participation clearance and return-to-play decisions.
- • Develop and oversee the team's emergency action plan.
- • Select, stock, and transport medical supplies and medications for travel and events.
- • Coordinate care with athletic trainers, physical therapists, strength coaches, and consulting specialists.
- • Order and interpret diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests.
- • Supervise rehabilitation plans and graded return-to-sport progressions.
- • Refer athletes for specialty consultation, physical therapy, or surgery as needed.
- • Document evaluations, treatments, and clearances; maintain confidential medical records.
- • Communicate injury status and timelines to coaches and team leadership within privacy regulations.
- • Advise on protective equipment selection, fit, and rule compliance.
- • Educate athletes and staff on injury and illness prevention.
- • Develop team conditioning and recovery guidelines with performance staff.
- • Monitor athletes' mental health and coordinate referral and support.
- • Manage acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
- • Prescribe medications, injections, orthotics, and adaptive devices when appropriate.
- • Counsel on nutrition, hydration, supplements, and medication risks, including anti-doping implications.
- • Evaluate and manage concussion and other head injuries according to protocol.
- • Advise modification or cessation of harmful training or practice activities.
- • Attend home and away competitions and provide on-site medical leadership.
- • Create travel health plans, including immunizations, illness prevention, and environmental risk mitigation.
- • Participate in quality improvement, research, or injury surveillance for the team.
- • Maintain compliance with league, institutional, and anti-doping policies.
- • Develop pain management strategies that emphasize function and safety.
- • Train staff on emergency equipment use and sideline procedures.
- • Participate in continuing medical education to maintain licensure and skills.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
