Senior Physiotherapist

Accrington Stanley Football Club is seeking a Senior Physiotherapist to join our dynamic Medical Team. In this role, you will provide high-level, evidence-based physiotherapy care to our senior team players while focusing on injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance optimisation. You will lead injury prevention programmes, drive departmental improvements, and collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to maximise player availability. As an integral member of our Medical Team, you will participate in daily meetings, assist with medical screenings, and ensure the highest standard of care for the squad.

Role & Responsibilities - General

• Provide high-level, evidence-based physiotherapy care to senior team players.
• Deliver a modern, forward-thinking sports medicine department.
• Develop and implement consistent, club-wide processes for injury prevention, screening, and rehabilitation.
• Maximise the availability of the senior playing squad by introducing evidence-based Injury Prevention Exercise Programmes (IPEPs) as routine practice.
• Educate players and staff on the benefits and aims of injury prevention programmes to ensure high compliance.
• Critically assess existing departmental practices and drive improvements as needed.
• Lead and contribute to improvement projects within the department.
• Participate in daily Medical & Performance Team meetings.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to optimise training loads for performance and injury prevention.
• Regularly review and provide training on trauma management in conjunction with club doctors.
• Communicate effectively with external support staff (e.g., podiatry, osteopathy).
• Provide regular updates to coaching staff on players' injury status.
• Attend player appointments with consultants and during scanning sessions.
• Actively contribute to pre-season and mid-season medical screenings.
• Liaise daily with the Head of Medical regarding any issues or concerns related to the first team squad.

Role & Responsibilities - Other

• Monitor players following return to play post-injury to minimise recurrence rates.
• Collect key data and communicate it effectively to coaches, players, and other support staff.
• Perform medical screenings for potential signings and report findings to the CEO and management team.
• Contribute to a departmental Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme.
• Maintain high-quality, contemporaneous medical records on all assessed or treated players in line with the standards of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and HCPC.
• Provide pitch-side medical cover on a rotational basis as agreed with the Head of Medical.
• Arrange specialist referrals and necessary medical investigations as required.

About The Candidate

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a first team football environment.
• A broad range of clinical experiences appropriate to working in an elite, high-expectation setting.
• Proven expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of professional athletes.
• Experience providing pitch-side cover and leading matchday medical services.
• Evidence of successfully integrating injury prevention programmes into routine medical practice.
• Experience in implementing objective testing as part of the rehabilitation process for injured players.

Qualifications & Training

• BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy.
• MSc in a related field or currently working towards an MSc.
• Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.
• Extensive experience in leading the rehabilitation of first team players.
• Level 2 safeguarding qualification.
• ATTMiF qualification (current and in-date).
• High self-motivation and passion for sports physiotherapy.
• Exemplary communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organisational and administrative capabilities.
• Advanced musculoskeletal assessment skills.
• Strong management abilities.
• Ability to build professional relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Flexibility and willingness to work unsociable hours as required.
• Competence in handling sensitive and confidential information regarding injured players.

About The Club

Code of Conduct

Accrington Stanley Football Club expects the highest standards of integrity and conduct from all its employees. All team members must act wholeheartedly in the best interests of the club. Any conduct detrimental to the club's interests, its relationships with customers, suppliers, or the public, or harmful to its reputation, will be considered a breach of club policies. Discriminatory, offensive, or violent behaviour is unacceptable, and any related concerns will be dealt with in accordance with club guidelines.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Accrington Stanley Football Club is committed to ensuring that equality, inclusion, and diversity are at the heart of everything we do. We strive to provide fair and non-prejudicial access to services across the club. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, whether direct or indirect, or harassment, on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We conform to the EFL Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standards and warmly welcome entry-level applications from underrepresented groups, including women, individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, the LGBT community, and those with disabilities.

Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment

Accrington Stanley Football Club is dedicated to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults engaged in our activities. We uphold the highest standards in safeguarding and safer recruitment practices, ensuring that all children and vulnerable groups are protected from harm. Our approach is grounded in best practice and is undertaken in partnership with families and the relevant local authorities.