Job Description

#

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position will remain open until filled; however, the first review of applications will begin on November 28, 2025.

Posting Details

-------------------



Position Information

Position Title

Head Athletic Therapist

Position Summary

The Head Athletic Therapist ensures Red Deer Polytechnic student-athletes are healthy, fit, and able to compete for their respective varsity teams. This professional will strategically plan, organize, implement and deliver a system that effectively manages varsity student-athlete injury recognition, evaluation, and prevention, referring for further or alternate medical care as necessary.



The position will be required to lead and mentor a group of student trainers and one part-time Athletic Therapist who will aid in providing appropriate medical coverage during practices and competitions. The Head Athletic Therapist position reports directly to the Manager, Athletics and Student Life.

Position Responsibilities

Assessment and Treatment

Assists in the prevention, assessment and treatment of athletic injuries for approximately 200 student-athletes. Develops and implements evidence-based and timely therapeutic exercise programs based on best practices to treat athletic injuries and illnesses. Provides injury assessments and treatment of athletic injuries using therapeutic modalities and rehabilitative programs. Screens for concussions and makes decisions regarding athlete's ability to participate in practices and games. Provides injury treatments and rehabilitative programs for post-surgical conditions Provides ongoing education for student-athletes on infection prevention. Develops and implements therapeutic exercise programs & injury prevention programs Communicates in a timely fashion with coaches and student trainers regarding the student-athletes ability to return to play or prescribe rehabilitation protocol and updates online medical information database. Performs pre-practice and pre-game taping and wrapping of Red Deer Polytechnic athletes, and/or instructs student-trainers on requirements for their respective teams and student-athletes. Attends home games/events to ensure emergency coverage when Athletic therapists and/or student trainers are not available.

Administration, Supervision and Clinic Management

Organizes all pre-season medical examinations, including communicating with all returning and incoming athletes regarding annual medical forms. Liaises with the Athletic Administrative Assistance to ensure tracking of medical clearance with student-athlete eligibility status. Coordinates Concussion Baseline Testing on approximately 200 student-athletes. Creates, maintains and enforces Athletic Therapy Clinic training policies and procedures. Maintains adequate records and medical charting for all injury assessments & treatments using the computer charting system. Communicates with counterparts at ACAC institutions to ensure proper coverage for traveling student-athletes and teams. Where appropriate, refers student-athletes with serious injuries to specialized medical personnel affiliated with Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics for further assessment and/or treatment. Orders supplies for clinic and maintains an inventory throughout the year of supplies utilized. Maintains and purchases therapy and rehabilitation equipment such as electrical modalities, ultrasound, and laser when necessary. Ensure clinic is clean, welcoming, and a professional environment in which student-athletes feel comfortable seeking injury-related assistance. Supervises the Athletic Therapist and, from time to time, practicum students working with the teams and in the clinic. This includes communication with student-trainers, coaches, the Strength and Conditioning coach and the Manager, Athletics & Student Life the duties of the staff/practicum students assigned to the Athletic Therapy Clinic. Performance annual performance assessments for all staff. As appointed by the Manager, Athletics & Student Life, acts as the Red Deer Polytechnic representative on ACAC ad hoc committee which includes but is not limited to the annual ACAC medical personnel conference call. Responsible for stewarding the external medical professional support network which aims to ensure student-athletes have quick and easy access to a variety of additional medical services to assist in their rehabilitation or maintenance of good health. The stewardship includes working with representatives from the Community Relations Department in creating and maintaining formal corporate agreements with the service providers.

Student Trainer Program

Oversees and educates approximately 12 student trainers each semester. Recruits and selects student trainers by ensuring student meets selection criteria (First Aid, CPR and appropriate coursework) Provides orientation for both new and returning student trainers Designs and conducts regular seminars on topics relating to athletic therapy Instructs student trainers on specific taping and injury care techniques Oversees on-field first aid administered by student trainers Oversees and provides instruction for in-clinic first aid, injury assessment and exercise rehabilitation administered by student trainers Provides ongoing education for student trainers on infection prevention Coordinates student trainers to provide mandatory event coverage for athletic events Assigns students to a designated team as a "team trainer'' Coordinates scheduling for the team trainers with their peers and their designated team

Drug Education Program

Is the content expert regarding the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association's Drug Education and Testing Program which includes being knowledgeable about the policies and practices managed by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport which includes but is not limited to the current list of prohibited substances, procedures for testing and documentation required. Works with the Athletic Administrative Assistant to disseminate the CCES Drug online drug education seminar to student-athletes, coaches, student trainers and other team personnel as mandated by CCAA policy. Disseminates current CCES information to coaches and student-athletes regarding common medications and their classification as prohibited substances. Maintains a list of student-athletes with existing conditions, medications, and allergies that may require documentation under CCES policies. This may include consulting with the sports medicine physician affiliated with Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics

Required Qualifications

Four (4) year undergraduate degree, or three (3) year undergraduate degree plus one full additional year of university in a related program representing four years of study or equivalent. Kinesiology, Athletic Therapy, Bachelor of Science, Nursing plus CATA (Canadian Athletic Therapy Association) Certification First Aid, CPR and Sports First Responder. Completion of Annual CCES Drug Education Program. CATA Certified (in good standing with AATA and CATA)

Note:

the incumbent must have liability and malpractice insurance up to date and effective coverage levels Experience in recruitment, training and supervision of staff Experience in a team training environment is essential. Interpersonal/human relations skills - working with coaching staff, athletic therapist and facilities manager Supervisory skills - may be overseeing practicums Ability to maintain confidentiality Intermediate computer skills - communication with staff and design training plans Experience in a post-secondary athletic environment is an asset.

Preferred Qualifications

Graduate diploma or five (5) years of University in Kinesiology, Athletic Therapy, Bachelor of Science, Nursing plus CATA (Canadian Athletic Therapy Association) Certification

Salary or Hourly?

Hourly

Salary

$34.59/hr

Benefits and Compensation Information

An additional 15% of the hourly rate in lieu of vacation, statutory holidays and benefits.

About Red Deer Polytechnic

Focused on advancing the economic and social priorities of Alberta,

Red Deer Polytechnic

(RDP) provides more than 100 industry-relevant credit and non-credit programs to approximately 11,000 credit, non-credit and apprenticeship students. With modern teaching and learning spaces, and state-of-the-art research and innovation centres, RDP provides education and applied research opportunities in partnership with industry and communities.

Red Deer Polytechnic's main campus is located on Treaty 7, Treaty 6 and Metis ancestral lands. This is where we will strive to honour and transform our relationships with one another.

Whatever brings you to Red Deer Polytechnic, we are glad you are here. And we look forward to having you as a valued member of our

polytechnic community

.

Posting Detail Information

Competition Number

Employment Type

Term-Certain Part-Time

Number of Vacancies

1

Desired Start Date

01/05/2026

Position End Date (if term-certain)

04/17/2026

FTE

1.0

Hours of Work

Between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, 15-30 hours per week, with occasional evening or weekend work as needed.

Open Date

11/21/2025

Close Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Note to Applicant

Red Deer Polytechnic fosters an inclusive learning and working environment where everyone can bring their full selves and share their unique talents. We are committed to being responsive to the evolving needs and expectations of our diverse community.

At RDP, we are committed to a merit-based hiring process, and we believe in an inclusive workplace that is fair, equitable, supportive, welcoming and respectful. We recognize, value, and leverage differences in identities, abilities, background, cultures, skills, experiences, and perspectives. Our practices are guided by the principles of the Alberta Human Rights Act and support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action. If you believe you have the skills and equivalent experience and potential to contribute to this role, we encourage you to apply

Red Deer Polytechnic will provide job applicants with accommodations in accordance with the Alberta Human Rights Code. To request an accommodation, please contact

Peopleandculture@rdpolytech.ca

.

Special Instructions to Applicants

This position will remain open until filled; however, the first review of applications will begin on November 28, 2025.

Required Documents

Cover Letter

Resume

Optional Documents