Academy Medical & Performance Practitioner

The Academy Medical & Performance Practitioner plays a critical role in the holistic development, health, availability and athletic progression of Academy student-athletes.

This integrated role combines Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation and Human Performance responsibilities. The successful candidate may come from an Athletic Training or Physical Therapy background but must also demonstrate experience in athletic development, sports performance, and return-to-performance programming.

The role is responsible for delivering world-class medical care, rehabilitation, injury prevention, athletic development and performance support in alignment with the Right to Dream philosophy and San Diego FC performance model.

The positions works under the direction and supervision of the Head of Human Performance and Head Athletic Trainer/Head of Medical.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish an effective medical program tailored to San Diego FC student-athletes
• Provide first aid, injury assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning for San Diego FC student athletes.
• Liase efficiently with all key stakeholders about each student athletes physical status; Academy Performance Coach, Academy Football Coaches, Parents, Physicans and Specialists etc.
• Ensure comprehensive coverage at home games and practices throughout the season, including preseason. Away travel required where appropriate and agreed with line manager.
• Design and implement rehabilitation programs. Lead field-based and gym-based return-to-performance progressions. Support strength and conditioning, speed development and injury prevention initiatives.
• Utilize objective testing to inform return-to-play decisions.
• Help coordinate annual athletic physicals with the wider medical team.
• Maintain a line of communication with team physicians regarding athlete health care and recommended treatment/rehabilitation for all injuries.
• Assist coaching staff in evaluating and implementing sport-specific conditioning programs and methods to enhance player performance and prevent injuries.
• Communicate with student athletes and stakeholders about the care and treatment of injuries, providing guidance and support.
• File all necessary reports associated with athletic injuries and/or incidents, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records.
• Maintain a daily treatment log to track the progress of rehabilitative treatments and monitor student athlete health.
• Ensure sufficient medical stoke is up to date to ensure that each team is equipped with appropriate medical equipment and supplies for both training and competition.
• Create a safe playing environment by monitoring and controlling environmental risks, such as field conditions and weather-related concerns.
• Along with the Academy Performance Coach ensure that each student athlete undergoes anthropometric assessments and physiological/fitness testing at regular times throughout the season to construct profiles and log adaptation to training stimulus.
• Support the residential program in line with that of the wider Academy Footballing Department
• Collaborate with the Head of Nutrition and Head of Mental Performance to ensure holitistic care and development of student athletes.
• Support research and innovation initiatives.
  
  

Qualifications

• Minimum four (4) year bachelor’s degree
• Preferred Master’s degree in a health-related field
• Board-certified (BOC) athletic trainer with state licensure
• Certification by the National Athletic Trainers Association OR Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
• CPR certification.
• HIPAA compliant Course and Health Information.
  
  

Experience

• 3+ years’ experience in elite soccer, relevant sport environment and with youth athletes
• Experience supporting growth, maturation and long-term athlete development.
• Experience in soccer player rehabilitation and manual treatment. Experience with different travel schedules (time zones) and climate conditions (heat, cold, altitude)
  
  

Knowledge And Skills

• Strong understanding of sports medicine, rehabilitation and athletic development.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building ability with athletes, families, and multidisciplinary staff
• Understanding of long-term athlete development principles.
• Knowledge and experience utilizing and integrating medical technologies
• Experience of medical data management systems to ensure the secure and efficient collection, storage and front-end utilization.
• Strong medical knowledge and its application to soccer
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) or multi-lingual skills is a plus.
  
  

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.