Head of Physiotherapy in Blackburn

Department: Senior Medical Department

Based at: Senior Training Centre, Brockhall Village, Old Langho, BB6 8FA. Flexibility regarding location is required.

Reports to: Head of Technical Development

Responsible for: Senior Medical Department Staff

Hours of work: A minimum of 40 hours per week plus any additional hours necessary for the performance of duties. This will include regular evening and weekend work.

Contractual status: Permanent

1. Job purpose: To lead and manage a comprehensive physiotherapy service for all first team players, implementing evidence based treatment and an objective rehabilitation service to all members of the first team squad.

2. Duties and responsibilities:

• To be committed to ensuring the safeguarding and welfare of all elite players, promoting their well-being needs whilst maintaining professional boundaries;
• To provide, coordinate and implement all medical provision for the first team players including injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation;
• To encourage an interdisciplinary approach between all senior football departments;
• To ensure detailed daily recordings of medical information and progress for all individual players in line with relevant legislation and procedures;
• To oversee and provide medical assessments for any player recruitment;
• To organise and implement an in-house CPD programme for all Senior Medical staff including monitoring and ensuring required staff qualifications are valid and up to date;
• To proactively lead and enhance all senior medical procedures and practices;
• To provide and/or ensure emergency first aid services for all training sessions and matches, including both home and away;
• To liaise and coordinate with the Club Doctor on a regular basis including scheduling of consultations and procedures;
• To create and build professional relationships with players and staff to support injury rehabilitation needs;
• To contribute specialist knowledge to the Senior Medical staff including rehabilitation planning and case management process;
• To ensure the latest clinical, scientific and technical innovations to practice are incorporated into maintaining the highest level of care;
• Any other duties as reasonably assigned by the First Team Manager from time to time.

3. Skills required:

• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to make decisions quickly and consistently;
• Excellent clinical skills in relation to history taking, clinical examination, appropriate investigation and referral for ongoing care when required;
• To set and maintain high standards of work performance and deliver quality consistently and professionally;
• Excellent clinical reasoning skills and range of clinical treatment skills;
• The ability to understand the cultural aspects of medical care for a squad with various nationalities;
• To develop professional networks and create and maintain effective working relationships;
• The ability to maintain confidentiality at all times;
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to handle complex cases with integrity;
• The ability to be flexible to adapt to varying working weeks to meet the demands of the role;
• To display excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• The ability to meet fixed deadlines and prioritise work accordingly;
• Excellent problem solving skills using initiative and sensitivity.

4. Knowledge and experience required:

• Previous experience working within an interdisciplinary sports science and medical environment;
• Excellent knowledge of IT and proficient with software including Microsoft packages;
• Proven track record of working within a sports medicine team with the delivery of injury diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies within an elite sporting environment;
• Previous management experience of leading and developing a team;
• Previous experience of implementing rehabilitation to high performance athletes;
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures and protocols.

5. Qualifications required:

• MSc in Physiotherapy or relevant field;
• BSc Hons in Physiotherapy or relevant field;
• Membership of a nationally recognised professional physiotherapy association or equivalent (e.g. CSP, HCPC);
• A current and valid ATMMiF qualification or equivalent or higher qualification as otherwise approved by The Football Association;
• A current and valid FA First Aid Certificate;
• Must hold a valid UK driving licence.

DBS check required: Yes (enhanced)