Head Physiotherapist in Barnet

Head Physiotherapist

Department: Medical & Performance
Reports to: General Manager / CEO
Direct Reports: Academy Medical Staff, London Bees Medical Staff, Medical Interns and Placement Students

Job Purpose

The Head Physiotherapist is responsible for the day-to-day clinical leadership and delivery of physiotherapy services across Barnet FC First Team, Barnet FC Academy and London Bees FC.

The role is accountable for providing a high standard of evidence-based physiotherapy, injury assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, injury prevention and return-to-play support. Working closely with coaching, sports science, strength & conditioning and football operations departments, the Head Physiotherapist will play a key role in maximising player availability and performance while safeguarding the short- and long-term health and wellbeing of players.

The successful candidate will provide clinical leadership across the medical department, overseeing a team of medical staff across the First Team, Academy and London Bees programmes. They will ensure consistent standards of assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, documentation and communication across all programmes while contributing to a positive, collaborative and high-performance environment.

Key Responsibilities

Physiotherapy & Clinical Care

• Lead the day-to-day physiotherapy provision for Barnet FC First Team, Academy and London Bees FC.
• Assess, diagnose and manage acute, chronic and complex musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries.
• Provide evidence-based hands-on treatment and rehabilitation interventions.
• Develop and implement individualised rehabilitation programmes.
• Monitor player progress throughout the injury and rehabilitation process.
• Identify potential injury concerns and escalate appropriately within the medical department.
• Coordinate referrals to consultants, surgeons, imaging providers and external specialists where required.
• Support the management of player illness and general health in conjunction with the wider medical team.
• Maintain accurate, confidential and GDPR-compliant medical records.

Rehabilitation & Return to Play

• Lead the physiotherapy component of injury rehabilitation from initial assessment through to return to play and return to performance.
• Develop objective rehabilitation goals and progression criteria.
• Use appropriate clinical testing and functional assessment to inform rehabilitation decisions.
• Work collaboratively with Strength & Conditioning and Sports Science staff to progress players from rehabilitation into full training.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary return-to-play decision-making.
• Ensure appropriate monitoring following a player's return to full training and competition.
• Provide appropriate rehabilitation support for long-term and complex injuries.

Injury Prevention & Player Availability

• Work collaboratively with medical, Strength & Conditioning and Sports Science departments to minimise injury risk.
• Lead and deliver appropriate individual and squad-based injury prevention strategies.
• Identify recurring injury patterns and contribute to strategies designed to reduce re-injury.
• Support screening, musculoskeletal profiling and individual player monitoring.
• Contribute to training-load management and player availability discussions.
• Analyse injury trends and communicate relevant findings to the wider performance team.
• Promote best practice in recovery, preparation and physical wellbeing.

Matchday & Training Ground Provision

• Ensure appropriate physiotherapy provision is available across First Team, Academy and London Bees training and matchday programmes.
• Attend Barnet FC home and away fixtures as required.
• Provide immediate assessment and treatment of injuries sustained during training and competition.
• Work with the medical team to maintain appropriate emergency procedures and medical provision.
• Ensure physiotherapy equipment, treatment areas and relevant supplies are maintained to an appropriate professional standard.
• Support appropriate player preparation, recovery and post-match rehabilitation.

Medical Department Leadership

• Provide clinical leadership and oversight across the Club's medical and physiotherapy provision.
• Oversee a team of medical staff working across Barnet FC First Team, Barnet FC Academy and London Bees FC.
• Lead, manage and support medical staff to ensure consistent standards of clinical care, rehabilitation, injury prevention and player management across all programmes.
• Allocate responsibilities and resources effectively across the First Team, Academy and London Bees medical teams.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, mentoring and professional development for medical staff.
• Promote a collaborative, accountable and high-performance working culture across the medical department.
• Assist with the development and implementation of departmental clinical standards, policies, protocols and procedures.
• Support the development of junior physiotherapists, interns, placement students and developing practitioners.
• Promote continuing professional development and evidence-based clinical practice.
• Encourage a culture of accountability, professionalism and continuous improvement.

Multidisciplinary Communication

• Develop strong working relationships with coaching, Strength & Conditioning, Sports Science, performance and football operations staff.
• Provide regular and appropriate updates regarding player availability, rehabilitation and medical status.
• Communicate clearly with coaching staff while maintaining appropriate clinical confidentiality.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and contribute to player availability and return-to-play planning.
• Support effective communication between the Club's medical team and external healthcare providers.
• Ensure consistent communication and medical processes across the First Team, Academy and London Bees.

Medical Screening & Recruitment

• Support pre-signing medical examinations and player medical assessments.
• Contribute to seasonal screening and musculoskeletal profiling.
• Assist with medical due diligence and injury-risk assessment during recruitment.
• Maintain appropriate baseline clinical information and testing protocols.

Clinical Governance & Compliance

• Deliver physiotherapy and medical services in accordance with relevant professional and football regulations and standards.
• Comply with HCPC, CSP and relevant professional guidance.
• Follow Club medical policies, protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Maintain accurate and confidential medical documentation.
• Support clinical audit, quality assurance and risk-management processes.
• Uphold safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion standards.
• Maintain appropriate professional registration, CPD and professional indemnity.
• Support anti-doping education and compliance procedures.

Education & Development

• Deliver educational sessions for players and staff on injury prevention, rehabilitation, recovery, sleep, hydration and wellbeing.
• Promote evidence-based practice and continued professional development across the medical department.
• Support interns, placement students and developing practitioners.
• Encourage research, innovation and continuous improvement within the medical department.