Department: Sports Medicine and Performance (SM&P)

Reports to: Major League Head Athletic Trainer

Classification: Full-Time/Exempt

Summary/Objective

The Houston Astros are seeking an experienced individual to serve as their Return-to-Play Specialist. This position will require daily interaction with SM&P staff, Major League field staff, team physicians, and front office members in addition to the daily player care responsibilities. Responsibilities will include but are not limited to providing rehabilitation care to injured athletes throughout the major league season. The individual would be required to relocate to West Palm Beach, Florida, and would be expected to continue appropriate player care throughout the offseason.

Essential Functions & 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.
• 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 rehabilitation and return to play of 40-Man roster players.
• Communicate injury and rehab updates to Major League Medical Coordinator.
• Help manage post-injury care for 40-man roster players, including the facilitation of rehab programs, providing treatments, coordinating rehab assignments, and communicating with athletic trainers and physical therapists regarding athlete care.
• Assist with continued development of Houston Astros return-to-play philosophies and implementation across the organization.
• Assist with continued development of Houston Astros SM&P continuing education program for athletic trainers, physical therapists, and strength and conditioning staff. 
• 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.
• Occasional game and workout coverage including pre/post treatments and field set up.
• Administrative duties including but not limited to:
• Ordering daily training room supplies
• Assisting with capital equipment planning/ordering
• Daily training room cleaning duties
• Hydrotherapy room maintenance
• Assist with the continued development of Houston Astros physical therapy & athletic training apprentice/internship program.
• Collaborate with athletic training, strength and conditioning and sport science staff to create objective measures for rehab and utilize them in progressing athlete care.
• Assist with player acquisition risk assessments in conjunction with the rest of the SM&P staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in delivering rehabilitation or return-to-play (RTP) care for elite/professional, collegiate or high-level athletes.
• Experience collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to perform in high-pressure, time-sensitive environments with professionalism and discretion.
• Strong organizational and detail-oriented skillset.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience working in MLB/MiLB teams is strongly preferred.
• Certified as an Athletic Trainer (ATC), Physical Therapist (PT) and/or Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) is preferred.
• Willingness to relocate to West Palm Beach, FL and provide offseason continuity of care as assigned.

Work Environment

Position will work in an athletic training room, weight room, baseball complex, 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

While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk and hear. The vision requirement includes the ability to review written and electronic materials in both digital and physical format. 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 to be expected in this role. Examples of travel include but are not limited to Major League rehab assignments, out-of-state medical appointments/surgery, off-season travel for player check-ups, etc.

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

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Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.