Performance Physical Therapy/Sports Science Intern

Performance Physical Therapy/Sports Science Intern

The Performance Physical Therapy/Sports Science Intern plays a critical role in integrating performance training and rehabilitation strategies to optimize athlete health, readiness, and return-to-play outcomes. This position directly assists the Senior Director of Rehabilitation & Athletic Performance by bridging sports medicine, performance, nutrition, strength & conditioning, performance science, and coaching staffs to deliver high-level evaluations, data-driven programming, clear communication, and athlete-centered support in a high-performance environment. The ideal candidate has a strong evaluative skillset, fluency in sports performance technologies, strength and conditioning experience, experience with high-level athletes, and the ability to operate effectively within an interdisciplinary team.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Essential Functions: The following are examples of the various functions required. The job requirements are not limited to the items on this list.

• Conduct comprehensive musculoskeletal and movement evaluations, including force plate testing, sprint profiling, asymmetry analysis, load monitoring, and return-to-play benchmarks.
• Design individualized performance rehabilitation programs that integrate strength training, movement skill development, progressive loading, and return-to-performance progressions.
• Implement and interpret data from sports technology systems such as force plates, GPS/IMU units, EMG, 1080 Sprint, dynamometry, and timing gates.
• Monitor and report key performance indicators, including rate of force development, asymmetry trends, peak power, sprint mechanical metrics, deceleration qualities, workload patterns, and longitudinal athlete profiles.
• Distribute and collect load-tracking sensors, measure and process athlete hydration levels, and administer subjective athlete questionnaires, including RPE collection.
• Collaborate closely with sports medicine, strength & conditioning, performance science, nutrition, sport coaching, and management staff to align objectives and support long-term athlete development.
• Support on-court preparation sessions, supervised athlete treatments, rehabilitation programming, and return-to-performance progressions as directed.
• Support athletic training and nutrition staff with daily operations, including training room preparation, stocking, hydration, supplementation, fueling efforts, and modality maintenance.
• Facilitate and perform data analysis buildouts, reporting tools, dashboards, or other programs as directed by the Senior Director of Rehabilitation & Athletic Performance.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation and communicate concise updates directly to the Senior Director of Rehabilitation & Athletic Performance.
• Participate in interdisciplinary case reviews, planning sessions, and continuing education initiatives.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, or oversight for interns and support staff when needed.
• Uphold professional, ethical, and data-governance standards at all times.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

Desired Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from an accredited institution are required; the candidate must be able to achieve licensure in the State of Florida. Three to five years of experience in strength & conditioning, performance rehabilitation, applied sports science, or an equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred. Experience caring for professional or Division I collegiate athletes is required, with basketball experience preferred but not required. The candidate must be proficient with performance technologies, sports science data, dashboards, longitudinal monitoring systems, and equipment such as Kinexon and VALD; work effectively across medical, performance, and coaching teams; maintain accurate documentation and records within an EMR system; demonstrate knowledge of emerging trends in sports medicine and performance science; and be familiar with NBA league standards, policies, and protocols related to player health, injury reporting, health and safety, and return-to-play compliance.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, Preferred Qualifications, and Technology Proficiencies:

• Doctorate of Physical Therapy with the ability to be licensed in the State of Florida (required)
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) (required)
• Current CPR/AED certification (required)
• Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) certification is preferred, or the candidate should be eligible to sit for the SCS exam in the near future.
• Additional preferred certifications or training may include USAW, USTFCCCA, RSCC, OCS, PRI, EXOS, FR, PMT, ALTIS, FRC, PES, Performance Nutrition, or other relevant sports performance, rehabilitation, or sports science credentials.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Residency or fellowship training in sports performance, rehabilitation, or sports science is preferred. Experience managing return-to-play and reconditioning processes within high-performance sport environments is strongly preferred, along with prior experience in professional or elite collegiate settings such as NBA, NFL, MLS, NHL, Olympic programs, or equivalent high-performance environments.
• Candidate should be proficient with force plate systems such as VALD, Hawkin Dynamics, Sparta, and Keiser; sprint profiling systems such as 1080 Sprint, timing gates, and GPS/IMU; strength diagnostics tools such as NordBord, GroinBar, and dynamometry; and workload monitoring platforms such as Kinexon, Catapult, and STATSports.
• Ability to interpret KPI tracking, dashboard outputs, and longitudinal athlete profiling data is expected.

The employee regularly works in indoor athletic training facilities, practice courts, arenas, and travel settings. The noise level varies from moderate in training room and office environments to loud during practices, games, and team events. The employee may be exposed to bodily fluids and is expected to follow universal precautions. The role requires extended hours, evenings, weekends, and travel consistent with a professional sports team schedule. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender/gender identity, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status, and any other legally protected status entitled to protection under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws. EOE & DFWP.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.