Major League Assistant Athletic Trainer/ Physical Therapist

Job Description

Department: Baseball Operations

Supervisor: Head Athletic Trainer

Status: Full-Time/ Exempt

Please note, as a condition of employment, COVID-19 vaccination (at least the initiation of the process) is required prior to start date. Accommodations for medical or religious reasons will be considered.

The Houston Astros are seeking a driven individual to serve as the team’s Major League Physical Therapist/ Assistant Athletic Trainer. This position will work closely with the Astros’ major league training and strength coach staff to provide player care to major league baseball players. This role will focus on providing rehabilitative care to injured Astros players and athletic training services to the major league roster.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Ensure that consistent rehab standards and philosophy are maintained for the Houston Astros Sports Medicine & Performance Team (SM&P Staff) across the entire organization
• Collaborate with organization’s athletic trainers, team physicians, strength and conditioning coaches, mental health & performance staff, sport scientists, dieticians, front office, and player development staff to care for athletes and implement organizational programs
• Assist with injury prevention, evaluation, management, and rehabilitation of 40-Man Players
• Communicate daily injury and rehab updates to the MLB Head PT/ATC
• Help manage post-injury care for 40-man roster players, including designing rehab programs, providing treatments, coordinating rehab assignments, and communicating with athletic trainers and physical therapists regarding athlete care
• Assist with rehab of non-40 Man Players in collaboration with Minor League Medical Coordinator, Minor League Rehab Coordinator, and Rehab Strength & Conditioning Coordinator – Report directly to the MLB Head PT/ATC
• Assist with continued development of Houston Astros rehab philosophies and implementation across the organization
• Assist with continued development of Houston Astros SM&P Staff Continuing Education Program for ATC’s, PT’s, and S&C.
• Thorough documentation of all injuries/illnesses including daily notes, physician notes, and other required documentation and reporting. Needs to be familiar with MLB EMR system.
• Expected to oversee the MLB EMR documentation system for the entire organization – Report directly to the MLB Head PT/ATC
• Daily game and work out coverage including pre/post treatments and field set up
• Administrative duties including:
• Ordering Daily Training Room Supplies
• Assisting with Capital Equipment Planning/Ordering
• Daily training room cleaning duties
• Travel Trunk inventory/packing for road trips
• Hydrotherapy Room Maintenance
• Daily communication with First Responder staff to ensure emergency equipment, medical cart & supplies are prepared and safely secured.
• Will include significant travel during Spring Training and in-season.
• Travel will include the following but not limited to:
• Spring Training
• Major League Rehab Assignments
• Out of State Medical Appointments/Surgery
• Travel with Major League Team during the Season
• Off Season Travel for Player Check Ups
• Oversee continued development of Houston Astros PT & ATC internship program
• Collaborate with Athletic Training and Performance Science staff to create objective measures for rehab and utilize these measures in progressing athlete care
• Assist with player acquisition risk assessments in conjunction with the SM&P staff
• Ability to demonstrate professionalism in high stress situations.

Education and/or Experience and Skills:
• 2+ years minimum experience working for Collegiate or Professional Sport Programs
• Candidate must hold both their ATC license and have a minimum of a Master’s of Physical Therapy, with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy preferred
• Must be willing to travel up to 45% of the year with the Team
• Advanced degrees and trainings (Dry needling, ART, Graston’s, etc.) preferred
• Experience with all forms of modalities
• Strong understanding of the challenges athletes face, proper nutrition, sports injuries, and treatment options
• Understanding first-aid treatments, massage, and physical therapy techniques and equipment
• Invested in player success
• Detail-oriented, analytical, and attentive, especially where the needs and health of athletes are concerned
• Excellent interpersonal, problem solving, decision making, and communication skills

Work Environment

Position will work in an office and stadium environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The noise level is usually moderate but can be loud within the stadium environment.

Physical Demands

Work is medium demand. Lifting 100 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects. Medium strength is required to position patients for examination. May assist patients as needed, helping them on and off the exam table.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Travel

Travel is expected in this role.
Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

EOE/M/F/Vet/Disability

Experience

Preferred
• 4

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gpwew9-3-147-104-120-42 in your application.