Director, Rehabilitation

Summary

Provides advanced clinical care, including prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and related problems in cadet-athletes. This role serves as a clinical specialist within the Department of Sports Medicine, utilizing evidence-based practices to return athletes to high-performance levels. The Director, Rehabilitation works closely with athletic trainers and team physicians to ensure a seamless transition from acute injury management to functional sport-specific activity. In addition to clinical duties, the Director, Rehabilitation oversees the long-term rehabilitation protocols for the department and provides mentorship to athletic training staff on manual therapy and corrective exercise techniques. This position is essential to the holistic health and welfare of the Corps of Cadets and supports the athletic department’s mission of developing leaders of character through a premier NCAA Division I experience. 

Scope of Impact

The Director, Rehabilitation is responsible for coordinating and delivering specialized rehabilitation with a primary focus on complex post-operative and chronic injury cases to the Army Football Team. Impact is measured through the implementation of standard, evidence-based clinical protocols and through record-keeping. The position fosters a culture of continuous professional growth by serving as a clinical resource for the Sports Medicine team. Undertakes administrative tasks and special projects at the discretion of the Head Football Athletic Trainer. Perform duties consistent with the American Physical Therapy Association and the New York State Board of Education standards.

Level of Decision Making

Position will involve discretionary decision-making in the daily healthcare management of cadet-athletes. The Director, Rehabilitation must think critically and make independent decisions regarding rehabilitation progression and return-to-play decisions in conjunction with the Team Physician and Head Football Athletic Trainer. Failure to perform these responsibilities could result in serious or severe injury to the cadet-athlete.

Success Factors

Success in this position is evaluated based on leadership skills, clinical outcomes, and a commitment to the AWPAA Mission, Vision, and Values. The Head Football Athletic Trainer and Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine will assess performance based on the employee’s ability to support the AWPAA Strategic Plan and achieve priority results in athlete wellness.

E** ssential Duties and Responsibilities **

Summary

Provides advanced clinical care, including prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and related problems in cadet-athletes. This role serves as a clinical specialist within the Department of Sports Medicine, utilizing evidence-based practices to return athletes to high-performance levels. The Director, Rehabilitation works closely with athletic trainers and team physicians to ensure a seamless transition from acute injury management to functional sport-specific activity. In addition to clinical duties, the Director, Rehabilitation oversees the long-term rehabilitation protocols for the department and provides mentorship to athletic training staff on manual therapy and corrective exercise techniques. This position is essential to the holistic health and welfare of the Corps of Cadets and supports the athletic department’s mission of developing leaders of character through a premier NCAA Division I experience. 

Scope of Impact

The Director, Rehabilitation is responsible for coordinating and delivering specialized rehabilitation with a primary focus on complex post-operative and chronic injury cases to the Army Football Team. Impact is measured through the implementation of standard, evidence-based clinical protocols and through record-keeping. The position fosters a culture of continuous professional growth by serving as a clinical resource for the Sports Medicine team. Undertakes administrative tasks and special projects at the discretion of the Head Football Athletic Trainer. Perform duties consistent with the American Physical Therapy Association and the New York State Board of Education standards.

Level of Decision Making

Position will involve discretionary decision-making in the daily healthcare management of cadet-athletes. The Director, Rehabilitation must think critically and make independent decisions regarding rehabilitation progression and return-to-play decisions in conjunction with the Team Physician and Head Football Athletic Trainer. Failure to perform these responsibilities could result in serious or severe injury to the cadet-athlete.

Success Factors

Success in this position is evaluated based on leadership skills, clinical outcomes, and a commitment to the AWPAA Mission, Vision, and Values. The Head Football Athletic Trainer and Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine will assess performance based on the employee’s ability to support the AWPAA Strategic Plan and achieve priority results in athlete wellness.

E** ssential Duties and Responsibilities **

70% Clinical Care of Rehabilitation Operations

• Coordinate and deliver specialized physical therapy services daily, including evaluation, treatment, and long-term rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses.
• Design and implement individualized evidence-based rehabilitation programs for post-operative and complex musculoskeletal cases.
• Research/Implementation of data-driven processes to assist in program development and decision-making.
• Maintain accurate and timely medical records for all treatment and progress.
• Communicate effectively with athletic trainers, coaches, parents, military personnel, and physicians regarding cadet health status.
• Provide education to cadet-athletes on injury prevention and musculoskeletal health.
• Collaborate with sports performance staff, including strength and conditioning and nutrition, to develop comprehensive return-to-play plans.

20% Supervision & Administrative Duties

• Assist with the preparation of daily and seasonal rehabilitation reports for the Associate Athletics Director/ Head Athletic Trainer and the AWPAA Executive Staff.
• Mentor and provide clinical supervision for athletic trainers and interns in advanced manual therapy techniques.
• Participate in department staff meetings and clinical case reviews.
• Assist with onboarding and mentoring of new medical staff and interns.

10% Risk Mitigation & Other Duties as Assigned

• Implement risk mitigation strategies in collaboration with the performance team.
• Takes on additional duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Sports Medicine/Head Football Athletic Trainer.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position provides clinical supervision and mentoring for athletic trainers and student interns during the rehabilitation process.

Work Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Perform duties in a fast-paced, ever-changing work environment.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for 50% of the time.

• Occasionally moves boxes weighing up to up to 75 lbs. 

• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. 

• Mobility and strength to perform lifesaving and/or stabilizing techniques as required.

• Constantly operates a computer, printer, and phone. 

• The person in this position frequently communicates with team members, United States Military Academy (“USMA”) staff and vendors. 

• Consistently works in outdoor weather conditions when providing direct support at outdoor practice and competition facilities.

• Must be able to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the athletic schedule.

Travel 

Travel as necessary with the football team to away contests and to complete necessary licensure continuing education. Up to 20% of the time may be committed to travel.

Required Qualifications

• A Master’s or Doctor of Physical Therapy is required.
• Current Director, Rehabilitation license (eligible for licensure in New York State).
• Division I or professional sports experience is desirable.
• Eligible for New York State Athletic Trainers’ Certification/License.
• Ability to meet continuing education requirements as established by the BOC and the State of New York.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
• Advanced Manual Therapy Skill Sets.
• Demonstrated successful supervisory skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, coaches, cadet-athletes, physicians, and other allied health personnel. 
• Ability to collaborate with coaches and sports performance staff to build high-performance teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT).
• Board of Certified Sports Clinical Specialists (SCS) or Orthopedic Clinical Specialists (OCS).
• Certified Athletic Trainer by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA).
• Board of Certification (BOC).

Additional Eligibility Requirements

• Must be eligible to work in the United States of America, without sponsorship.
• Must be eligible to work on a military installation, including being willing to submit to a background screen.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Pay

$85,000

About Us

USMA is renowned as the world’s preeminent leadership development institution. Located on the banks of the Hudson River in West Point, NY, it is approximately one hour from New York City. The mission of USMA is "to build, educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets to be commissioned leaders of character committed to the Army Values and ready for a lifetime of service to the Army and Nation." This position will be housed within the AWPAA, which is a non-profit corporation organized to manage and support the 30 intercollegiate athletic programs at the Academy. The AWPAA mission is to recruit, educate, train, and inspire leaders of character who are committed to the Army Values through an extraordinary NCAA Division I athletic experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AWPAA is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law.

Applicant qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by law. 

Disclaimer Statement

This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

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