Lead Sports Medicine Physician – Athletics (Track and Field)

Role Purpose:
To provide clinical and operational leadership for all medical services supporting athletes across various Athletics disciplines. Responsible for overseeing injury diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, the Lead Sports Medicine Physician will coordinate interdisciplinary, athlete-centered care focused on optimizing health and performance. Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, the role drives athlete facing, clinical care, ensuring seamless cooperation with coaches and support staff to help athletes achieve peak performance. Daily duties include delivering advanced medical care trackside and clinically, managing services at major competitions, and developing medical governance frameworks.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & ACTIVITIES:

• Provide primary medical care and manage athletic injuries and general health for athletics athletes.
• Conduct physical assessment, diagnosed injuries, and oversee return-to-play decisions.
• Collaborate with the clinical team on injury prevention, performance and rehabilitation.
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and develop protocols for athlete health and safety.
• Ensure compliance with health regulations and act as medical liaison with NSMP (Aspetar) leadership.
• Provide expert diagnosis and management of acute and chronic musculoskeletal, and systemic conditions relevant to high-performance athletes.
• Implement evidence-based treatment protocols tailored to the specific demands of each sport and athlete.
• Skilled in diagnosing, investigating and management of sport-related medical conditions, including, but not limited to infections, respiratory, gastro-intestinal and cardiac conditions.
• Coordinate imaging, laboratory, and specialist referrals as needed.
• Provide athletes with education and counselling related to their injury or illness.
• Supervise the entire rehabilitation process and return-to-play process, ensuring medical clearance aligns with international best practices and safety standards.
• Evaluate athletes prior to sports participation to determine predisposition to injury.
• Collaborate with coaches and trainers on the medical condition of athletes.
• Monitor physiological and biochemical parameters to identify early signs of overtraining, fatigue, or potential health risks.
• Contribute to staffing and strategic planning.
• Deliver health, wellbeing, and performance-focused medical care to athletes.
• Support the development of effective sports and performance medicine decision-making around injury and illness prevention, diagnosis, rehabilitation, return to sport, and performance.
• Synthesize cutting-edge research and best practices into clinical work.
• Provide a world-class medical support environment.
• Collaborate with the Manager of Performance Medicine to develop a medical governance framework ensuring a safe environment for athletes in training and competition.
• Assist in developing and implementing policies related to education, support, and engagement with anti-doping regulations.
• Adhere to and actively promote the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) principles and regulations with regard to the use of drugs in sport. Abide by the spirit and letter of the WADA Code, and the ASPETAR/NSMP Anti-Doping Position Statement.
• Manage related staff and external contractors, ensuring quality assurance of service provision.
• Assist in establishing medical policies that reflect best practice operational processes.
• Maintain patient/athlete documentation, records and accurate statistical information to reflect care provided and meet professional standards and to ensure the service is monitored and evaluated.
• Ensure proper management and secure maintenance of medical records and athlete management systems using Aspetar EMR as appropriate.
• Participate in a collaborative, interdisciplinary high-performance environment that optimizes input from coaches and supports staff to ensure sustainable success.
• Assume or accept any other responsibilities as assigned by the direct supervisor within the position role and responsibility.
• Patient Safety: -Attend and successfully complete competencies which focus on patient safety initiatives implemented within Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital. Patient Safety Training is an annual requirement, to include all organizational leaders, staff, service, and contracted providers

Necessary knowledge and Experience to be able to do the job:

• Minimum of 7 to 9 years of professional related experience, including 3 to 5 years in a similar role or responsibility, preferably within the same industry.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within inter multidisciplinary performance teams (physiotherapists, nutritionists, psychologists, and coaches).
• Experience in data-driven athlete monitoring, medical screening, and using performance analytics to guide clinical decisions.
• Relevant experience in track and field is required.

Preferred:

• Previous leadership experience in a sports medicine or multidisciplinary clinic setting.
• Fellowship-trained in Primary Care Sports Medicine.
• Credentialed or experienced working with national sports governing bodies.
• Proven experience providing medical coverage at international or national sports events, training camps, or tournaments.
• Strong background in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and return-to-play management for high-performance environments.

Education and Certification requirements:

• MD or DO with Board Certification in Sports Medicine (CAQ or equivalent).
• Postgraduate qualification in Sports Medicine, Orthopaedics, Rehabilitation Medicine, or related specialty.
• Advanced certification in Sports Medicine or Exercise Physiology (preferred).
• Basic and Advanced Life Support (BLS & ACLS) certification; field emergency or trauma management certification (e.g., FIFA Diploma, IOC Diploma) is an asset.
• Must meet and fulfil the eligibility criteria for medical licensing in Qatar

Job specific technical Skills:

• Strong diagnostic and clinical decision-making skills with experience in elite sports environments.
• In-depth knowledge of sports medicine, injury prevention, treatment protocols, altitude training, and performance optimization.
• Collaborative, team-oriented leadership style with excellent communication skills across athletes, coaches, performance support and clinical teams.
• Committed to athlete safety, holistic care, and maximizing performance.
• Experienced working with diverse stakeholder groups and adept at influencing based on individual styles to achieve results.
• Knowledge of Track & Field athletics structure, sports medicine, and anti-doping rules, or ability and eagerness to quickly learn.
• Understanding of athlete development and performance pathways across multiple disciplines.
• Proficient with electronic medical records and sports performance software.
• Advanced skills in contemporary health, wellbeing, and performance medicine practices.
• Skilled in managing medical emergencies and coordinating effective responses.
• Demonstrates ability to deliver balanced, honest feedback while maintaining strong professional relationships.
• Effective collaboration with coaches, athletes, performance support staff, and medical professionals to optimize outcomes.
• Demonstrates interest and intellectual enthusiasm in the use of the current international Clinical Practice Guidelines, Expert Consensus recommendations, and medicine-based evidence (MBE) recommendations in Sport and Exercise Medicine as guide for his/her clinical practice.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness when working in international, multicultural sports settings.
• Oral and written English essential, other languages desirable

Working Environment

• Clinical work in a multidisciplinary sports medicine facility.
• On-field or sideline coverage at academy practices and competitions.
• Flexibility: Variable hours including evenings and weekends based on athletic schedules.
• Preferably: A working knowledge of Arabic language and culture would be beneficial as would a desire to learn in this area.
• A respect for, and interest in, areas outside of the postholder’s direct responsibility is expected of all staff, all staff are expected to work in a highly collaborative manner.
• Office and field-based environment or as per business needs from time to time