Physical Therapist

Washington Spirit is seeking a skilled and dynamic Physical Therapist to join our team as the Head of Rehabilitation. The Head of Rehabilitation will have primary responsibility for the screening and rehabilitation of athletes, focusing on ensuring the return-to-play process is safe and effective.

The Physical Therapist will:

• Rehabilitation Leadership: Lead the rehabilitation process for all short-term and long-term injuries, ensuring optimal recovery and performance.
• Collaboration: Work alongside the Director of Medical, Medical and Performance staff, and team physicians to develop and implement health, performance, and wellness strategies.
• Return to Play: Design and refine return-to-play protocols that are evidence-informed and in alignment with club processes. Ensure the athlete’s safety and performance standards are met throughout the process.
• Multidisciplinary Coordination: Participate and contribute in regular meetings to update player statuses, discuss their rehabilitation progress, and determine next steps.
• Performance Evaluation: Utilize contemporary technologies and performance testing to systematically evaluate player progress and modify rehabilitation plans accordingly.
• Research and Development: Share relevant soccer research and advancements with the high-performance staff to enhance the rehabilitation and performance strategies.
• Gym and Conditioning Support: Collaborate with Performance Staff to assist with gym-based strength and conditioning exercises for rehabilitating athletes.
• Medical Coverage: Provide on-site medical coverage for non-travel training sessions and participate in travel assignments as needed.

The ideal candidate has:

• Licensed Physical Therapist in Virginia, in good standing, with direct access endorsement.
• CPR certification in Basic Life Support for healthcare providers.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience as a Physical Therapist.
• At least 2 years of experience in a similar role in a team sports environment, specifically with elite-level athletes (professional and/or Olympic).
• Experience with mid-end stage on-field return to play, particularly in soccer.
• Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy or related field.
• Board Certification as a Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS).
• Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) Certification.
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).