Assistant Athletic Trainer / Physical Therapist

This is a Full Time Job

Job Title: Assistant Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist

Department: Training

Reports to: Head Athletic Trainer

Position Summary: This position is tasked with overseeing all physical therapy needs of LAL players and team, including acute injuries, short and long-term rehabilitation, and preventative treatments. It plays a critical role within the Training department. Must be able to work well in a team and travel to all away games. Position will take lead on long-term rehabilitation and post-operative directives from physicians for our players, as determined by Head Athletic Trainer.

Essential Functions (Duties & Responsibilities):
• Work with the team physicians and Head Athletic Trainer to provide physical therapy to LAL players (including pre-participation screening, care and treatment of physical disabilities, function and mobility restoration, and pain relief, as well collaborating with return to play progressions)

o Address all types of injuries (acute, chronic, maintenance, preventative, etc.)
• Use current evidence-based research in manual therapy, therapeutic modalities, corrective exercises, etc., as are acceptable to the team physicians
• Determine and oversee baseline evaluation and assessment of each athlete, including flexibility, mobility, stability, speed, power, and cardiovascular fitness, as well as biomechanical evaluations, to identify movement pattern dysfunctions and injury risk
• Prepare Soap Notes (subjective, objective, assessment and plan) for each player and anyone treated

o Soap Notes provided to LAL Head Trainer, GM and Assistant GM (to the extent permitted by HIPPA and all other applicable privacy laws)

o Daily document individual daily injury treatment programs, corrective programming, physical therapy evaluations and reassessments

o Work with Head Athletic Trainer to keep all electronic medical records up-to-date
• Attend daily meetings with Training staff to discuss updates
• Prepare a written final physical evaluation for each player

o Written Report provided to the Head Athletic Trainer, Head Coach, GM and Assistant GM (at the end of each season, but prior to Team player exit interviews)
• Assist in evaluating the integration of sports science and technology, in collaboration with the medical and Training staff
• Collaborate with medical and Training staff to conduct and evaluate NBA Prospects via Pre-Draft Testing
• Collaborate with Training staff to assist in the design and implementation of rehabilitation protocols
• Assist with various other duties and special projects, as assigned by the Head Athletic Trainer
• Maintain a clean and safe training room
• Attend training camp, all practices, all home and away preseason, regular season and playoff games, except for situations dictated by Head Athletic Trainer (example: player stays back to utilize UHTC facilities to speed up return-to-play process
• Potentially assist as resource to South Bay Athletic Trainer for G-League Rehabilitation assignments/G-League Player Long-Term Rehabilitations

Qualifications (Required/Preferred):
• Bachelors Degree required in health related field
• Must be a graduate of an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) accredited school of physical therapy
• Valid State Physical Therapy License/ Registration REQUIRED to start
• Must possess current certification by the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification (NATABOC)
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) preferred
• Current certification in CPR/AED

Previous Experience:
• At least 3 years of experience as an athletic trainer/physical therapist required
• Work experience as an athletic trainer at the professional or collegiate basketball level preferred

Departmental Short & Mid-term Objectives:

1. Formalize benchmarking/baseline assessment and testing throughout the season

2. Continue to improve individualized player development plans for strength and health

3. Assist Head Athletic Trainer with implementation and follow through of Sports Science objective

4. Determine, in conjunction with Head Athletic Trainer the number/ frequency of screenings completed (e.g. FMS) for each player

5. Streamline other processes to make department as efficient as possible

6. Assist with other job duties/department needs as needed,

Key metrics used to evaluate performance:
• Total team injuries
• Types of injuries (e.g. non-contact or soft tissue) – Lack of muscular injuries
• Duration to rehabilitation / number of days to return to play
• Documentation habits and frequency
• Player feedback during EOY meetings with GM/Head Athletic Trainer
• Other objectives to be determined by Team GM, Assistant GM and Head Athletic Trainer

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
• Must have uncompromised ability to protect confidentiality/privacy of others and company documents and records
• Extensive knowledge of sports and general health related medical issues and appropriate treatment options; proficient in managing and executing emergency medical care
• Ability to think critically and make independent decisions regarding assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and return to play decisions; must be able to prioritize and effectively multitask as needed
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build and cultivate professional relationships, effectively lead and promote a positive team culture, and manage different personalities and skillsets from a staff and player perspective
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, including ability to communicate effectively with different audiences
• Competent in use of computer programs including EMR system, and Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel. Experience in athlete management system such as Smartabase preferred.
• Must be thorough, timely and detailed with injury tracking and documentation; excellent organization, data collection, and planning skills
• Demonstrated ability to act with the utmost discretion and professionalism; must have ability to maintain professional appearance
• Reliable and flexible team player, both within own department and the company as a whole

Location: El Segundo (offices M-F), downtown Los Angeles (Cyrpto.com Arena for Lakers home games), away games, and other occasional off-site events

Hours: Ability to work flexible schedule; available to work evenings, weekends and holidays; overtime may be required

The Los Angeles Lakers, Inc. requires its employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and up to date on their vaccination (i.e., both fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 if eligible for a booster) prior to their first day of employment unless they are approved for a reasonable accommodation based on disability, medical condition, or religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. Being up to date on vaccination means an individual has received a booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within 6 months after the last dose in their primary series or a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine within 3 months after their first dose of the vaccine. As a condition of employment, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated and up to date on your vaccination before you can begin to actively work. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.