What are the responsibilities and job description for the Physical Therapist position at Vegas Golden Knights?
The Physical Therapist is responsible for maximizing player availability, health, and on-ice performance through elite-level injury management, rehabilitation, and return-to-play execution. This role will uphold the unifying principles of the Performance and Medicine Department and operate within an integrated high-performance model, and collaborate daily with medical, performance, and coaching staff to ensure athletes are physically prepared for the demands of professional hockey. The Physical Therapist will report directly to the Head Athletic Trainer.
Professional Practice Responsibilities
- Deliver comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries in professional players
- Design and implement individualized rehabilitation and return-to-play programs
- Provide advanced manual therapy and soft tissue management interventions
- Support the daily training environment, including practices, games, and team travel
- Deliver and contribute to return-to-play decision-making in collaboration with medical and performance staff
- Manage acute injury care and emergency response as required
- Monitor athlete progress using objective data and adjust treatment strategies accordingly
- Implement and support injury prevention and recovery protocols
- Maintain accurate, compliant, and confidential medical documentation
- Contribute to a high-performance culture focused on player health, resilience, and readiness
- Maintain daily communication and collaboration with the performance team members and the coaching staff
- Follow all NHL guidelines associated with services supported or delivered
- Deliver other duties as assigned
The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:
Required:
- Degree in Physical Therapy
- Licensed (or eligible for licensure) Physical Therapist
- Minimum 2 years experience treating professional athletes
- Dry Needling Certification (required)
- At least one advanced-level soft tissue management certification
- Examples: ART, IASTM, Fascial Stretch Therapy, Myofascial Release
- Valid BLS certification (additional emergency medical training and certifications preferred)
- Ability to work in team environment
- High availability to travel
- Fluency in English, both oral and written
Preferred:
- Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) or equivalent
- Additional credentials sucha as Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) or Strength & Conditioning certification (e.g., CSCS)
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.