Women’s Wellness and Injury Prevention Lead

Washington Spirit•Leesburg, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Women's Wellness and Injury Prevention Lead is a new, purpose-built role within the Washington Spirit’s Medical and Performance (M&P) department. This role establishes a dedicated, senior clinical presence assisting the Athletic Trainer and Director of Medical (DOM) with athletic training, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and the holistic physical care of First Team players. It encompasses game-day and training medical coverage, proactive injury prevention programming, evidence-based rehabilitation, and a specialized women’s health practice. This role addresses critical and under-resourced clinical areas in professional women’s soccer. The position is a licensed dual-credentialed Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist who assists the Athletic Trainer and DOM across the scope of athletic training, including sideline injury assessment, emergency medical response, taping and bracing, return-to-play clearance, and game-day medical coverage. It also includes a substantive and specialized women’s health practice covering pelvic floor health, menstrual cycle periodization, pregnancy and postpartum return-to-play, and female-specific injury patterns. These combined areas represent a competitive advantage when addressed proactively. The position works in close coordination with the Director of Medical (DOM), who retains overall medical governance, and collaborates across the full multidisciplinary team (MDT), performance staff, Head Coach, and Sporting Director. The role contributes to the department’s Vision, Mission, Objectives, Strategy, and Tactics (VMOST) framework and supports project work as directed, with clear, concise, and transparent communication as a defining standard. The Head of Women's Wellness and Injury Prevention supports the Athletic Trainer and DOM in advancing athletic training, injury prevention, and women’s health across the Medicine and Performance departments.

Requirements

Athletic Trainer Certification (ATC) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from an accredited program required
Current, unrestricted licensure required
Minimum of three (3) years of clinical AT/PT experience in an elite or high-performance environment (professional, collegiate, or equivalent preferred)
Demonstrated expertise in women’s health practice, including pelvic floor assessment and treatment, menstrual cycle-informed programming, and postpartum return-to-play
Experience working within an integrated medical-performance model in team sports
Current CPR/AED certification for healthcare providers
Personal professional liability insurance required
SafeSport certification (or ability to obtain prior to hire)
Understanding of NWSL CBA requirements related to medical care, compliance, and player welfare
Strong organizational, communication, and multitasking skills in a high-performance environment
Collaborative, team-oriented approach with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
Ability to work extended hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel throughout the NWSL season

Nice To Haves

Board Certification in Women’s Health Physical Therapy (WCS) or Certificate of Achievement in Pelvic Physical Therapy (CAPP) preferred, or willingness to pursue
Experience in professional or elite women’s sports strongly preferred
Familiarity with athlete management systems, wellness tracking platforms, and medical documentation systems
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) preferred

Responsibilities

Support the Athletic Trainer in delivering day-to-day athletic training services, including injury and illness assessment, on-field and sideline evaluation, acute care, taping and bracing, and rehabilitation, with a strong emphasis on injury prevention, chronic load management, and female-specific conditions.
Assist in providing medical coverage for all training sessions, matches, and team travel, including emergency action plan execution, concussion management, and coordination with emergency medical services when required.
Conduct pre- and post-session screening, movement assessments, and return-to-play evaluations within the integrated medical and performance model.
Collaborate with the DoM, Athletic Trainer, and performance staff to ensure seamless progression across injury care, rehabilitation, wellness management, and return-to-play.
Maintain accurate, detailed, and up-to-date clinical documentation in compliance with NWSL requirements and club standards.
Contribute to the design and delivery of evidence-based injury prevention programming, including ACL mitigation strategies, neuromuscular training, bone health monitoring, and load management specific to elite female athletes.
Lead the club’s women’s health program, integrating clinical care with performance and sports science practices across the playing squad.
Assess and manage pelvic floor health, including baseline screening, ongoing monitoring, and postpartum return-to-play protocols.
Develop and implement individualized menstrual cycle-informed training and recovery strategies in collaboration with performance staff.
Support pregnancy and postpartum return-to-play pathways using evidence-based, athlete-centered protocols.
Address female-specific injury patterns, including ACL risk, stress fractures, and bone health, through proactive screening, education, and load management strategies.
Stay current with emerging research in female athlete physiology and translate evidence into applied practice.
Promote a culture of open, informed, and stigma-free communication around women’s health across the team and M&P department.
Operate in full compliance with all club and NWSL medicolegal and regulatory requirements, attending required trainings and supporting documentation processes in coordination with the DoM.
Contribute to medical screening, reporting, and profiling processes, including daily wellness tracking, injury reporting, and annual testing protocols.
Maintain secure, accurate, and compliant medical records in accordance with applicable privacy laws and league standards.
Work closely with technical coaches and the MDT to integrate injury prevention, rehabilitation, and medical objectives into the training environment.
Support the DoM in delivering multidisciplinary care across injury prevention, rehabilitation, recovery, and female athlete health.
Educate athletes on best practices related to injury prevention, physical health, recovery, and women’s health considerations in elite performance.
Abide by all local, state, and federal laws and all applicable NWSL and club policies and procedures.
Attend all required league, club, and departmental meetings and activities.
Perform other duties as assigned by the DoM.