PT in a professional team

[goodstudent]

Does somebody have a job in a professional sports team for example NBA ect. I am a first year DPT student and I would like to know about the life style of a PT that setting.

Thanks🙂

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[MinnDasota]

Most PTs at that level are also ATCs and usually serve that role more than PT. From experience, most PTs serve as rehab consultants to pro teams and usually work at a private practice than actually with the team. Thus, there are many sports medicine clinics and PTs affiliated with pro teams but aren't exclusively with specific teams on the sidelines.

I am part of the medical staff for the US snowboard team, but I only do it as volunteer work. Most PTs aren't well versed in the acute management of sports injuries. This is why most serve as consultants when rehab is warranted.

 

[JPSKYS]

What does ATC stand for?

 

[atstudent]

What does ATC stand for?

Certified Athletic Trainer

 

[stizzatc]

I am writing an annotated bib on how to go about being a consultant to a professional sports team. Do you know if there is anything in the literature about this or in a magazine. Something the describes the process a little. Or do you know anyone in this position I could contact via email or somethin.
-Dan

 

[DHJunkie]

My boss I currently work for was a consultant for a couple of local professional sports teams. From my conversations with her, it definitely wasn't something just happened right out of PT school. It took a long time to develop a reputation and relationships with the various physicians in the area. Anyway, some of the orthos she worked closely with were part of Kerlan Jobe, the clinic in LA where a lot of pro athletes get treated at. The KJ doctors would often send pro athletes to her for their rehab assignments. As she treated more and more athletes, she developed a reputation and was asked by teams to serve as a consultant. As a consultant, she often treated many of the players but also maintained her private practice (exactly like how Minndasota put it). Aside from being an excellent clinician, it's about who you know and luck.

From my personal experience as an aide, I'd rather work with a Medicare patient over an NBA player any day!

 

[MinnDasota]

DH, who did you know from the Kerlan Jobe clinic? I did a clinical there. Tons of elite athletes.

Working with these athletes takes years. You have to either build a reputation or know someone. It is much easier as an ATC/PT as ATCs are sports med MDs best friends on the the field.

I can't stress enough how good clinicals can help you get your foot in the door more quickly.

 

[jesspt]

Certainly a Sports Physical Therapy Residency wouldn't hurt either. But, much like has been previously posted, likely the most important variables are as follows:

• development of excellent clinical skills
• development of close rapport/relationships with the team physicians of area pro teams

 

[truthseeker]

Certainly a Sports Physical Therapy Residency wouldn't hurt either. But, much like has been previously posted, likely the most important variables are as follows:

• development of excellent clinical skills
• development of close rapport/relationships with the team physicians of area pro teams

Jess,

With all due respect, the ATC is vastly superior to the Sports residency. The ATC automatically has more experience with athletes and athletic injuries. Their education is by definition directly related to the evaluation and treatment and prevention of athletic injuries. Their educators often have connections with professional teams either by way of previous educational relationships (their former students work in a professional sport) or other less direct relationships (former athlete that they treated and took care of for 5 years is now the point guard for the Celtics). Those connections are invaluable just like DH said.

DPT ATC is the degree that will get you in the most doors. Most people who are trainers have to work their way up the ladder just like any other profession. Take major league baseball, for example. If you are interested in being a trainer for a major league team you start in the minors just like the players. If you do a good job and people like you, you move up, just like the players. If you are lucky enough to be the senior minor league guy when the major league trainer retires, you might be asked to move up to the show. If the manager gets fired, he might just bring in his own trainer. In that case you better hope that you have built enough of a reputation to get offers from other clubs or else you are out. The PT aspect will come in to play if you happen to work at the clinic that already has the relationship with the team. Players on the disabled list often don't travel with the team and when they are in the middle of a long road trip, the rehab must go on. The team trainers travel with the squad so the rehab gets done at the clinic instead of the training room. There is your relationship.

 

[PT Dad]

Check this out:

http://www.mikereinold.com/

 

[rdulay8]

my goal is to work as a PT for a college or pro sports team. i will be graduating next month with a BS Exercise Science and will get my DPT in 3 years. would it be beneficial to go back and get my ATC after getting my DPT? seems a little counterintuitive to me.

 

[truthseeker]

my goal is to work as a PT for a college or pro sports team. i will be graduating next month with a BS Exercise Science and will get my DPT in 3 years. would it be beneficial to go back and get my ATC after getting my DPT? seems a little counterintuitive to me.

That's the hard way. Much easier to do AT first then PT but it can be done. Its hard to miss out on the paychecks from just being a PT though. You can work for a college or pro team but you just have to get yourself employed by a clinic that has the relationship with the team you want to work with.

 

[MinnDasota]

my goal is to work as a PT for a college or pro sports team. i will be graduating next month with a BS Exercise Science and will get my DPT in 3 years. would it be beneficial to go back and get my ATC after getting my DPT? seems a little counterintuitive to me.

Don't go back to get your ATC as the extra years of schooling and the grueling hours on the field are a lot to handle. Although not the same, you should work on becoming specialized in sports PT (SCS) after PT school. It is the closest thing we can be to an ATC without actually having to go back.