Athletic Therapist

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Job Requisition ID:

2026-03676

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Group:

Staff

Job Category:

Medical Health and Wellness

Employment Type:

Temporary

Department:

Athletics and Recreation Services - Therapy

Hiring Range:

$67,688.63 - $84,610.79

Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

This position is being offered as a temporary contract. Contract end date: March 31, 2028

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

This position is accountable to the Manager, Therapy & Performance Services to provide therapeutic treatments involved in the prevention, immediate care, rehabilitation and reconditioning of sports injuries sustained by student-athletes at the University. The incumbent provides in-service training, scheduling and management of all student therapists assigned to their sports. The incumbent makes available all therapy services necessary for student-athletes and others participating in the varsity and club program environment while also treating general fee-for-service patients who utilize the Athletic Therapy clinics at the University.

Key Accountabilities

Injury prevention/care for Interuniversity student-athletes

• Provides all applicable care including injury prevention, education, acute and non-acute injury management, and rehabilitation for any injuries incurred by any of the over 750 student-athletes, as determined by the Manager, Therapy and Performance Services.

• Required to attend practices for varsity sport programs, as determined by the Manager, Therapy and Performance Services.

• Required to provide on-site coverage for home and/or away games and additional home events, as determined by the Manager, Therapy and Performance Services.

• Required to treat a number of paid patients with goals set in consultation with the Manager, Therapy and Performance Services

• Use of secondary health care certification skill set when applicable

• Responsible for education and implementation of pre-season and follow-up neurocognitive testing and protocols regarding concussion prevention, management and return to play for assigned sports, as determined by the Manager, Therapy and Performance Services in conjunction with Rowan’s Law.

• Recognizes injury trends and create preventative exercise programs for teams when necessary.

• Maintains up to date Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) for all venues, provide opportunities to practice/review EAPs with health care teams, student therapists, facilities and event staff and other relevant staff.

• Provides an inclusive and holistic environment for student-athlete development

• Stays current with knowledge, trends and best practices to provide appropriate care within the scope of professional practice by participation in conferences and workshops, professional organizations and research/literature

Collaboration/Communication

• Provides regular updates to coaches related to pertinent injury information about their respective student-athletes.

• Works closely with the Strength and Conditioning Coordinator to develop a comprehensive return to activity program for injured interuniversity student-athletes.

• Communicates and collaborates with various members of the Health Care team, including Sports Medicine Physicians, surgeons, chiropractors, etc,

• Communicates with other members of the department as it relates to facilities, scheduling, booking, and invoicing.

• Coordinates and collaborates with other University non-athletic units such as Health Services, Counselling Services, and their related support staff. Similarly, the incumbent also deals directly with external agents and/or agencies such as other Universities, athletic therapists, physiotherapists, physicians, chiropractors, massage therapists, pedorthist, psychologists and local hospitals

• Communicates regularly with student therapists about necessary injury updates, taping/bracing changes, clearance for sport etc.

• Be available to assist student therapists when they are travelling with teams alone.

Mentorship/Education

• Collaborates with AHS/Kin to recruit and train student therapists. Training, orientation and instruction of the student therapists includes theoretical material, practical skills, patient care, clinical and equipment operation, filing and charting patient records, and the fostering of a professional atmosphere through appropriate clinical behavior. This training is conducted through yearly Student Therapists Orientation and monthly education sessions.

• Assists in the interviewing, and hiring of prospective student therapists.

• Provides regular feedback on student therapists therapy skills and performance.

• Oversees student therapists volunteering in the clinic

• Maintains a positive and inclusive learning environment for student therapists.

• Provides positive mentorship within an inclusive and holistic environment in accordance with the core values of the Athletics department

• Available to all athletes and coaches for further consultation and counselling especially in the areas of nutrition, fitness, exercise, drugs, assessment and rehabilitation or referral to appropriate local health care professionals or agencies.

Clinical Administration

• Completes any pertinent paperwork required to record major injuries requiring activation of EMS for care of injured student-athletes.

• Completes daily treatment and injury notes for all student-athletes seen in the clinic.

• Provides statistical reports reflecting injury rates, epidemiology, clinical revenue etc, to the Manager, Therapy and Performance Services.

• Collaborates with Strength and Conditioning Staff on return to play exercise rehabilitation for interuniversity student-athletes and review of physical testing results.

• Reviews and appropriately tracks all medical forms for varsity athletes, as well as flag and follow up with any concerns presented on forms.

• Tracks use of medical supplies by varsity teams

• Schedules therapy and doctors’ appointments in co-ordination with other members of the Therapy team

Clinic Promotion/Support

• Collaborates with department marketing team to develop and implement strategies to increase clinic revenue

• Utilizes social media as a promotional tool for the clinic

• Maintains and expands relationships with community partners

• Communicates with on-campus organizations to increase clinical access for students

• Actively involved with the promotion of the clinics to clients from the community

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in a health-related field

• Diploma/Degree/Masters in the field of Athletic Therapy from an accredited institution required

• Maintained status in the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association

• Minimum First Responder certified

• Secondary certification in health care an asset (ie chiropractic, occupational therapy, registered massage therapist)

• Maintained status in applicable secondary governing body

Experience

• Experience in a USports institution as an Athletic/Student Therapist preferred

• Experience managing multiple programs with over 20 athletes per team an asset

• Experience with contact sports (hockey, rugby, football) is an asset

• Experience mentoring/teaching is an asset

• Superior interpersonal, organizational, leadership, mentorship and technical skills are required

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Current in the area of clinical modalities, equipment, therapeutic techniques, and supplies related to therapy

• Current with concussion management and protocols, including implementation of Rowan’s Law

• Ability to lead an emergency response team as Charge person

• Ability to communicate with all members of the Sports Medicine team, various coaches and athletes, and other members of the Department in a professional manner

• Ability to quickly make consequential medical decisions in a high pace/high pressure environment during games and events

• Time management skills are essential

• Proficiency in social media and online communication is preferred

• Ability to prioritize various responsibilities appropriately, and multitask efficiently

• Must be familiar with general health and safety guidelines relevant to the delivery of Athletic programs

• A clear Vulnerable Sector Check is required

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.