Job Title: Head Athletic Trainer / Physical Therapist
Dept. Name & Dept. #: Health & Performance
Reports To: VP, Health & Performance
JOB SUMMARY:
The Head Athletic Trainer / Physical Therapist leads the Major League athletic training room day to day. Dual-credentialed as an athletic trainer and physical therapist, this role owns the injury prevention and management of the Major League roster, directing the athletic training staff in the clubhouse and on the road. The role works in close partnership with Health and Performance leadership, the ML Physical Therapist, the PT & Rehab Coordinator, team physicians, and coaching and performance staff to ensure comprehensive care for all players.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead daily athletic training room operations for the Major League club, at home and on the road, including treatment schedules, pre-game and in-game coverage, and post-game care.
- Own the healthy Major League roster: injury prevention, daily treatment and maintenance care, acute injury evaluation and management, and early escalation to team physicians.
- Lead communication of player availability to the manager, front office, and Health & Performance leadership ensuring pertinent changes are communicated promptly and consistently.
- Travel with the Major League club as the lead of the traveling medical party. Partner with the ML Physical Therapist to ensure rehab caseloads on the road are coordinated, with progress communicated and shared with the wider Health & Performance staff, including the Rehab and PT Coordinator.
- Apply clinical reasoning and expertise in the evaluation and management of all players, including manual therapy, exercise prescription, and criteria-based return-to-activity progressions for short-term cases.
- Run the daily information rhythm for the Major League club: a consistent check-in with the manager, coaching staff, strength & conditioning, performance science, nutrition, and mental performance staff covering each player's status, restrictions, and plan for the day, so that training and workload decisions reflect each player's current clinical status.
- Translate clinical status into practical, probabilistic terms, and integrate research, testing and workload-monitoring data from all available sources to inform clinical decisions
- Update the shared picture the same day it changes — new findings, setbacks, and progress, including players working with the PT & Rehab Coordinator or on rehab assignment ensuring all staff are working from the most up to date information.
- Review, update and execute the emergency action plan at home and away events and ensure all staff are trained and current in emergency procedures.
- Coordinate with the Minor League Medical Coordinator and affiliate staff on 40-man players moving between Detroit and the affiliates, including rehab assignments.
- Communicate uncertainty in a player's status clearly and early to leadership, physicians, and coaching staff.
- Document all evaluations, treatment, and communications completely and accurately in MLB's Athlete Health Management System (AHMS) per the required minimum standard.
- Contribute to free agent and trade medical reviews: review medical history and imaging, coordinate physical examinations, and give Health & Performance leadership a clear clinical assessment of injury and availability risk within specified timelines using the organizations medical risk framework.
- Support the recruiting, onboarding, mentorship, and professional development of athletic training staff, students, and interns.
- Stay current with the scientific literature in sports medicine, athletic training, and physical therapy, and incorporate new techniques where appropriate.
MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Doctorate (DPT) or Masters in Physical Therapy.
- Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
- Eligible for licensure as an athletic trainer and a physical therapist in Michigan and Florida prior to Spring Training.
- Current Emergency Cardiac Care / CPR/AED certification.
- Minimum 7 years of experience including leadership of an athletic training room in professional baseball or another professional or elite sport. Professional baseball experience is strongly preferred.
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) or additional clinical specialization as a plus.
- Working knowledge of baseball-specific injury patterns, with an emphasis on the throwing athlete.
- Proficiency with the MLB AHMS/EMR or comparable electronic health record platforms.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to work effectively with players, coaches, front office staff, and physicians, and to communicate clearly about clinical uncertainty.
- Willingness to work long hours, including days, nights, weekends, and holidays, and to travel with the Major League club.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Clubhouse, training room, and on-field activities.
- Evening, weekend, and holiday hours required, consistent with the Major League Baseball calendar.
- Based in Detroit, MI with spring training in Lakeland, FL and travel with the Major League club.
All items listed above are illustrative and not comprehensive. They are not contractual in nature and are subject to change at the discretion of Detroit Tigers.
Detroit Tigers is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to that individual’s race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Company will strive to provide reasonable accommodations to permit qualified applicants who have a need for an accommodation to participate in the hiring process (e.g., accommodations for a job interview) if so requested.
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