UConn Careers

JOB SUMMARY

The University of Connecticut, the state’s flagship institution serving over 30,000 students, is pleased to announce the search for the position of Director of Sports Medicine and Head Team Physician, UConn Student Health and Wellness (SHaW).  The UConn Huskies have approximately 575 student-athletes competing in 21 NCAA Division I varsity sports within the BIG EAST Conference, the Hockey East Conference, and the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA).  The Huskies have won 24 NCAA national championships, including back-to-back championships in men’s basketball in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.  This success is complemented by countless conference titles and several bowl game wins.   This exceptional opportunity requires an experienced and skilled sports medicine physician to provide strategic leadership and vision in the provision of services to support holistic health and wellness for UConn NCAA student-athletes.

The Director of Sports Medicine/Head Team Physician is primarily responsible for directing, coordinating and administering a comprehensive sports medicine program, including clinical oversight of the care, prevention, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of UConn student-athletes. This position reports to the Executive Director of Student Health and Wellness (SHaW), working in close collaboration with the Department of Athletics. In addition, the Director has relationships with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the Department of Family Medicine, and the School of Medicine at UConn Health.

The principal responsibilities include providing for the well-being of individual student-athletes, enabling each to realize their full potential. The ideal candidate should possess special proficiency in the care of musculoskeletal injuries and medical conditions encountered in sports. The Director of Sports Medicine/Head Team Physician also must actively integrate medical expertise with other healthcare providers, including medical specialists, athletic trainers, mental health clinicians, performance sports, and allied health professionals. The director must ultimately assume responsibility within the team structure for making medical decisions that affect the safe participation of student-athletes.

The Director of Sports Medicine/Head Team Physician also provides services to the campus and community population as a physician, with special attention to the student-athlete population. The principal appointment is with the University of Connecticut through the department of Student Health and Wellness and will provide comprehensive clinical services for UConn student-athletes. This position will also provide direct care to patients who are not student-athletes through the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at UConn Health. Additionally, this position will have responsibilities for graduate medical education of sports medicine residents through the UConn School of Medicine.

SHaW is committed to diversity and inclusion, competence in working with culturally and ethnically diverse populations, and awareness of how issues of difference, power, and privilege manifest in higher education environments.  The ideal candidate promotes health equity and reduces health disparities by demonstrating and supporting an understanding, sensitivity, and appreciation for health equity, social justice, cultural humility, and inclusiveness.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee and coordinate the administration of a comprehensive sports medicine program to meet the needs of intercollegiate athletes at the University of Connecticut, including prevention, evaluation, management, treatment, rehabilitation, performance, behavioral health and nutrition, as well as the development and implementation of educational programs for student-athletes.
• Responsible for providing medical oversight and supervision of the sports medicine primary care team physicians, athletic trainers, mental health clinicians, and other allied health professionals.
• Responsible for organizing the coverage of the orthopedic surgeon team.
• Conducts comprehensive, individualized health assessments of clinical signs and symptoms, utilizing critical thinking to diagnose and treat acute and/or chronic medical and psychiatric disorders in a fashion consistent with state regulations and board certification, and in collaboration with SHaW and community providers, as needed.
• Initiates emergency treatment of acute medical and psychiatric problems consistent with state regulation and board certification. Facilitates and coordinates transitional or specialized care for patients who require services beyond the scope of SHaW services.
• Maintains accurate, legible, and confidential medical records. Documents medical evaluations, diagnoses, procedures, treatments, outcomes, education, referrals, and consultations consistent with regulations and the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) standards.
• Orders and interprets laboratory and diagnostic studies for evaluation, clinical decision making and continued care of patients. Prescribes, dispenses and/or administers appropriate medication, corrective measures and medical therapeutics.
• Educates and instructs patients on preventative care, medical and psychiatric issues, and the use of prescribed medical treatments and/or prescription medications including Schedule II through V controlled substances.
• Develops and implements standing orders to be utilized by athletic trainers in the care of intercollegiate student-athletes.
• Oversees the Athletics Health Care Administrator in the administrative functions of the delivery of student-athlete health care and services, including in compliance with all pertinent NCAA health and safety legislation. Participates in the development and implementation of policies pertaining to the sports medicine program and student-athletes.
• Ensures compliance with NCAA regulations related to the implementation of the medical model, which includes clinical oversight of the sports medicine team made up of athletic training, sports performance, mental health, nutrition and sports science.
• Directs clinical quality improvement initiatives pertaining to sports medicine and the care of student-athletes; establishes and implements standard guidelines used in clinical practice; participates in the evaluation of the quality of care through a peer review process as part of a Quality Assurance Program.
• Responsible for making specific team assignments for longitudinal coverage by any/all primary care Team Physicians.
• Possesses admitting privileges to the SHaW infirmary and is responsible for supervising patient care from admission through discharge.
• Participates as a core member of the SHaW Executive Team. Performs related and supportive duties as required by the Director of Student Health and Wellness (SHaW), which may include the provision of primary care and/or orthopedic services for non-athletes under SHaW.
• Participates in the UConn Sports Medicine fellowship programs through clinical education, didactic instruction, and other educational activities for fellows. Leads, participates in, and/or supervises other fellows, residents, and/or students in research and scholarly activities.
• Presents clinically relevant in-service trainings and coordinates interdisciplinary care discussions; actively participates in working groups, teams, and committees through SHaW and other University departments to enhance the University’s sports medicine program and care provided to student-athletes.
• Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. A current unrestricted state physician licensure as an M.D. or D.O. and be eligible for licensure in the state of Connecticut. A successful candidate for this position must have or obtain a Connecticut licensure prior to beginning position and meet all university credentialing requirements.
2. A valid Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) certificate number for prescribing controlled substances and a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator (CPR/AED) certification.
3. 6-8 years clinical experience. 
4. Board certification in Family Practice, Internal Medicine.
5. Experience with diversity and inclusion, healthcare equity and access, and social justice issues and serving diverse populations.
6. Demonstrated progressive management experience.
7. Proven communication and human relations skills, demonstrated by effectively conveying information in healthcare settings, utilizing diverse communication styles and strategies, and applying expertise in conflict resolution and negotiation to facilitate team collaboration and enhance patient care.
8. Demonstrated experience effectively leading multi-disciplinary health care teams or projects.
9. Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal, planning, and organizational skills, with a proven track record of effectively leading teams and/or managing projects. 
10. Care coordination, diagnostic imaging interpretation, and acute injury care experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Formal training in sports medicine.
2. Sports Medicine Board Certification or Sports Medicine Board eligible (CAQSM) or related.
3. Experience as a Team Physician at the college/university level.
4. Concussion Management experience.
5. Mental Health Management experience.
6. Involvement in teaching and/or research in sports medicine.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

The incumbent must acquire and maintain active medical staff privileges at UConn Health’s John Dempsey Hospital. This is a full-time, permanent position requiring nights, weekends, and travel. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/health-benefits/.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #498658 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

This job posting will remain open until it is filled.  

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.