Performance Manual Therapist

Performance Manual Therapist

The Sacramento Kings are seeking an experienced Performance Manual Therapist to join our Health & Performance team. This position plays an integral role in supporting player health, recovery, rehabilitation, and performance through advanced hands-on manual therapy and individualized treatment.

The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in sports massage, soft-tissue therapy, and other manual treatment techniques, along with a strong understanding of musculoskeletal rehabilitation, therapeutic exercise, and the physical demands of professional basketball.

Working under the direction of the Sr. Director of Athlete Health and in collaboration with the team's medical and performance staff, this individual will deliver hands-on treatment, support prescribed rehabilitation programs, and provide consistent recovery care throughout the season.

We welcome candidates from a variety of allied health backgrounds, including massage therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and athletic training, provided they possess the appropriate credentials and experience to perform the responsibilities of the role within their professional scope of practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individualized, high-quality manual therapy, including sports massage, soft-tissue mobilization, and other appropriate hands-on treatment techniques.
• Assess player responses to treatment and adapt techniques, intensity, and timing based on individual needs, clinical considerations, and training or competition schedules.
• Deliver targeted treatment to address muscle soreness, soft-tissue restrictions, mobility limitations, and recovery needs.
• Integrate manual therapy with movement preparation, rehabilitation exercises, and recovery strategies as directed by the Health & Performance team.
• Communicate treatment observations, player responses, and potential concerns to the appropriate medical and performance staff.
• Support the implementation of individualized rehabilitation and reconditioning programs developed by the team's licensed medical and rehabilitation professionals.
• Assist with prescribed therapeutic exercises, mobility work, progressive loading, and movement preparation within the individual's authorized scope of practice.
• Provide hands-on treatment that complements rehabilitation goals and supports progression toward return to practice and competition.
• Collaborate with physical therapists, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, and other Health & Performance staff to ensure continuity of care.
• Monitor player tolerance and response to prescribed activities, communicating progress, concerns, or changes to the appropriate staff.
• Support the ongoing care of players managing acute injuries, postoperative rehabilitation, and persistent or recurring musculoskeletal conditions.
• Deliver individualized pre- and post-practice, game-day, and recovery treatments based on player needs and established care plans.
• Support player recovery during periods of increased physical demand, including back-to-back games, travel, and intensive training periods.
• Utilize approved recovery techniques, modalities, and equipment in accordance with professional training and team protocols.
• Monitor and communicate observations related to muscle soreness, fatigue, mobility, and treatment response.
• Coordinate treatment schedules to ensure players have consistent access to care while balancing practice, rehabilitation, competition, and rest.
• Reinforce recovery and self-care strategies established by the Health & Performance team.
• Participate in daily Health & Performance meetings, providing relevant updates on treatment, recovery, and player progress.
• Maintain strong working relationships with players, coaches, medical professionals, and performance staff.
• Communicate clearly and proactively regarding treatment needs, scheduling, progress, and potential concerns.
• Demonstrate sound professional judgment, recognizing when additional evaluation or intervention by a licensed medical professional is appropriate.
• Collaborate with approved external healthcare providers as directed.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality in all player interactions.
• Maintain accurate and timely treatment records in the team's athlete management system, documenting interventions, player responses, and progress.
• Document relevant injury updates and rehabilitation progress in coordination with the Health & Performance team.
• Provide necessary injury-related information and documentation to HR to support workers' compensation reporting and administration, as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of player medical information in accordance with applicable privacy requirements and team policies.
• Travel with the team as required to provide consistent treatment and recovery support throughout the season.
• Prepare, transport, and maintain manual therapy and recovery equipment and medical supplies for home and away games.
• Assist with setting up and breaking down treatment spaces at practice facilities, arenas, and team hotels.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe treatment environments.
• Monitor equipment and supply inventory and coordinate replenishment as needed.
• Support additional Health & Performance departmental initiatives and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications | Experience & Credentials

Required Qualifications

• Current professional licensure, certification, or registration in massage therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic care, athletic training, or a closely related allied health discipline, as applicable to the services performed and California requirements.
• Demonstrated experience delivering advanced sports massage, soft-tissue treatment, and other hands-on manual therapy techniques.
• Experience working with athletes in professional, elite collegiate, Olympic, or comparable high-performance sports environments.
• Strong understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy, biomechanics, injury considerations, and the principles of rehabilitation and recovery.
• Working knowledge of therapeutic exercise, movement preparation, and rehabilitation progressions.
• Ability to recognize treatment contraindications, exercise sound professional judgment, and operate within the appropriate scope of practice.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to establish trust and maintain professional relationships with high-profile athletes.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to maintain accurate treatment documentation.
• Current CPR/AED certification.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary medical and performance environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working with professional basketball players or within an NBA, G League, or other professional sports organization.
• Advanced training or certifications in sports massage, orthopedic manual therapy, soft-tissue mobilization, or related treatment techniques.
• Education or professional experience in physical therapy, athletic training, rehabilitation, exercise science, or strength and conditioning.
• Experience supporting postoperative rehabilitation, return-to-play programs, and the management of complex musculoskeletal conditions.
• Familiarity with athlete management systems, electronic medical records, and treatment documentation.
• Experience providing treatment during team travel and within the demands of a professional sports season.

What You Embody | Core Attributes

• Hands-On Expertise: Demonstrates exceptional manual therapy skills and the ability to deliver purposeful, individualized treatment based on each player's needs.
• Player-Centered Care: Builds trust through attentive listening, professionalism, consistency, and respect for individual preferences and boundaries.
• Professional Judgment: Understands the limits of their qualifications, recognizes when to modify or discontinue treatment, and seeks additional clinical guidance when appropriate.
• Collaboration & Accountability: Works effectively within a multidisciplinary team, communicates proactively, and follows through on responsibilities.
• Adaptability: Remains flexible and responsive to changing player needs, schedules, and the demands of a professional basketball environment.
• Continuous Improvement: Demonstrates curiosity, openness to feedback, and a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Other Requirements

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours based on team needs.
• Willingness and ability to travel with the team, including overnight and extended road trips, as required.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States.