Academy Medical & Performance Practitioner

About the role

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.

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
• Liaise efficiently with all key stakeholders about each student athlete's physical status; Academy Performance Coach, Academy Football Coaches, Parents, Physicians 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.
• 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 stock 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 holistic 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)
• 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.