MLS NEXT PRO & Academy Lead Athletic Therapist

Vancouver Whitecaps FC; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A professional soccer club in Vancouver seeks an Athletic Therapist to oversee sports medicine operations, including injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation for players. The ideal candidate must hold a certification as an Athletic Trainer/Therapist with experience in high-stress environments. Responsibilities include managing players' healthcare, maintaining records, and complying with league medical policies. The club values diversity and inclusion, aiming to recruit talented individuals from all backgrounds.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years certified athletic trainer/therapist experience.
• Experience working in a high‑tempo, high‑stress environment.
• Soccer experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage healthcare of players including injury evaluation and rehabilitation.
• Order, maintain, and inventory supplies and clinical equipment.
• Maintain up-to-date player health records in the Club EMR system.

Skills

Certified Athletic Trainer/Therapist

CPR certification for Health Care Provider

Experience in a high-tempo environment

Proficiency in Microsoft applications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Master’s degree or higher in a related healthcare field

Job description

The MLS NEXT Pro & Academy Lead Athletic Therapist will manage the day-to-day sports medicine operations for VWFC. In this capacity, the MLS NEXT Pro & Academy Lead Athletic Therapist will provide injury prevention strategies, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation for Players’ medical problems. The performance of duties will be under the direction and supervision of the Head Athletic Therapist. A year‑round employee, the MLS NEXT Pro & Academy Lead Athletic Therapist will attend all training, scrimmages, and home games. The MLS NEXT Pro & Academy Lead Athletic Therapist must be dedicated to MLS NEXT Pro & Academy team activities full‑time.

Qualifications:

• NATABOC (or CATA) Certified Athletic Trainer/Therapist
• In good standing with NATABOC
• State or province license in the state/province in which the Club calls home, if required by the state/province
• CPR certification for Health Care Provider
• Maintain professional liability insurance
• Prefer certification: CSCS, PES, LMT, and/or NREMT. Certified Performance Sport Specialist (CPSS)
• Preferred HIPAA compliant course and health information certification. PIPEDA compliance training preferred for Canadian Clubs. GDPR compliance recommended for all Clubs
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Master’s degree or higher in a related healthcare field
• Minimum two (2) years certified athletic trainer/therapist experience
• Experience working in a high‑tempo, high‑stress environment
• Soccer experience preferred
• Preferred proficiency in Microsoft applications and knowledge of current technologies

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the healthcare of players including first aid/emergency care, on‑site injury evaluation, application of appropriate modalities, development of rehabilitation and prevention programs, and conducting rehabilitation and making medical referrals
• Comply with OSHA standards regarding blood‑borne pathogens
• Order, maintain, and inventory supplies and clinical equipment
• Keep athletic training room and clinic area safe, clean, and organized
• Maintain a complete and up‑to‑date roster of player health and participation records in the Club electronic medical record (EMR) system
• Electronically document accurate first report of injury, physician diagnosis, player assessments, player treatments, and return‑to‑play dates
• Initiate insurance/worker’s compensation claims for players
• Compile reports as required by the league
• Help the Club Medical Staff regarding player health and safety
• Assist with the organization and maintenance of pharmaceutical inventory and records under the direction of the Club physicians
• Organize physical examinations as required by league regulations
• Supervise assistant athletic therapist(s), medical interns, and volunteers as applicable and/or outlined in the MLS NEXT Pro Medical Manual
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills required to work effectively with players, coaches, other Club personnel, and league staff
• Manage all incoming medical data streams (e.g., physiological, injury prevention) in the league‑provided EMR
• Collaborate with Strength and Conditioning/Performance on data collected for athlete health and safety measures
• Comply with all league medical policies and protocols
• Consult with players regarding dietary needs, nutritional supplements, and League/FIFA banned substances
• Attend all activities, meetings, and programs as required by the league

The Club:

Vancouver Whitecaps FC is the longest‑running professional soccer club in Canada and the United States. Since its inaugural season in 1974, the club has united generations of loyal fans in British Columbia and beyond. With academies in eight out of ten provinces, a network of partner clubs, and hundreds of camps and clinics every year, Whitecaps FC provide a foundation for Canada’s soccer future.

We are also strongly committed to providing opportunities to Canadian athletes, both male and female, with the largest soccer development structure in Canada. This includes academy programs in eight of ten provinces across the country.

In addition to building a winning team on and off the pitch, the Club places great importance in giving back to our community, harnessing the power of sport to create a stronger, more equitable & inclusive society through three key community goals: helping meet critical needs, using soccer to build life skills and creating soccer participation opportunities in Indigenous communities.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC believes that diversity and inclusion is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. This includes but is not limited to people of colour, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Should you require any accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our People & Culture department.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

No recruiters or agencies, please.

"Within these walls, you are welcomed, accepted, and respected.

Here, no matter who you are or where you come from, you are home. And you’re part of the team regardless of your age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, marital or family status, disability, or religious belief or non‑belief. All we ask is that you be ethical and inclusive in all that you do. Be respectful of all players, fans, and staff, and remember to cheer loudest for the ones wearing the blue and white. Go ‘Caps!