Minor League Physical Therapist

Job Summary:

The MiLB Physical Therapist provides comprehensive rehabilitation and sports medicine services at the St. Louis Cardinals training complex in Jupiter, Florida. This role delivers specialized physical therapy care, injury prevention strategies, and performance support for players throughout the year, including off-season, spring training, extended spring, in-season, and instructional league periods.

The position requires collaboration with sports medicine staff, athletic trainers, team physicians, and baseball personnel to optimize player health, facilitate injury recovery, and support return-to-play progressions. This role demands advanced clinical expertise, knowledge of baseball-specific movement patterns, and the ability to deliver high-quality care in a professional sports environment.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Clinical Care: Provide comprehensive physical therapy evaluations, treatment plans, and rehabilitation programs for minor league players, including immediate sports medicine intervention for acute injuries.
• RehabilitationReturn to Competition: Implement evidence-based rehabilitation programs and organizational medical protocols, guiding players through return-to-competition progressions in collaboration with the performance team and skill staff.
• Injury PreventionMovement Assessment: Conduct movement screenings and develop corrective exercise and injury prevention programs that enhance performance and reduce injury risk.
• CommunicationDocumentation: Maintain timely, proactive communication with the MiLB performance leadership group, Jupiter-based performance team, and skill coaches on player health status and programming while upholding documentation standards.
• Interdisciplinary Player Development: Work closely with team physicians, performance staff, and skill staff to deliver integrated care that supports long-term player health and development.

Job Duties:

• Provide on-site physical therapy services at the team's training complex in Jupiter, Florida, managing daily care for rehabilitation players.
• Conduct comprehensive evaluations and reassessments, including musculoskeletal assessments, movement analysis, and functional testing, for injured and, when appropriate, at-risk players.
• Develop and update individualized treatment plans using manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and evidence-based interventions aligned with organizational philosophy and medical protocols.
• Provide immediate sports medicine intervention for acute injuries, maintain current CPR/AED certification, and participate in emergency action planning and response.
• Design criteria-based, position-specific return-to-competition progressions for throwing, running, hitting, and fielding in collaboration with the Jupiter-based performance team and skill staff.
• Use technology and data analytics to track outcomes and workload and guide rehabilitation progressions, while maintaining compliance with healthcare privacy regulations.
• Lead injury prevention initiatives, including pre-participation movement screenings, corrective exercise programming, and player and staff education on injury prevention and movement optimization.
• Maintain detailed documentation and objective measures of player progress, providing timely, proactive updates to the MiLB performance leadership group, Jupiter-based performance team, and skill coaches.
• Coordinate with affiliate and off-site rehabilitation providers, offering remote follow-up and exchanging treatment updates, restrictions, and progression criteria to ensure continuity of care.
• Collaborate with team physicians on referrals, diagnostic testing, and treatment recommendations, providing appointment support as needed.
• Pursue ongoing professional development and mentor interns, students, and support staff as appropriate.

Experience/Education Required:

• Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) from an accredited physical therapy program
• State licensure in Florida or ability to obtain licensure within 6 months of employment
• Current CPR/AED certification and basic life support training
• Minimum 3 years of clinical physical therapy experience in sports medicine, orthopedic, or athletic settings
• Experience working with athletes at the collegiate, professional, or elite amateur level
• Knowledge of overhead athlete biomechanics and baseball-specific movement patterns

Experience/Education Preferred:

• Residency or fellowship training in sports physical therapy or orthopedic physical therapy
• Board certification in Sports Physical Therapy (SCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties
• Manual therapy certification through recognized programs such as NAIOMT, Maitland, or Mulligan
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential
• Advanced coursework in movement science, biomechanics, or sports medicine
• Post-graduate training in baseball-specific rehabilitation or overhead athlete management
• Dry needling certification where legally permitted
• Mental Health First Aid certification
• Bilingual capabilities (English/Spanish preferred) for effective communication with diverse player populations
• Familiarity with workers' compensation systems and professional sports insurance protocols
• Experience with sports performance technologies and data analytics platforms