Lead Sports Therapist

We are Crystal Palace Football Club, a Premier League Football Club with more than 160 years of proud history. Spread across three different sites – brand new main offices at Selhurst Park Stadium, our London office, and our Training Ground/Academy, we offer the best atmosphere and culture for our fans and our employees. We strive for excellence in the workplace with a philosophy of high standards, professionalism, and a strong work ethic from our employees. We are constantly trying to grow, diversify and build with not only our team on the pitch, but also our team in the offices and on the ground.

About this role:

• Ensure appropriate first response and ongoing care is delivered to players in the PGA and Girls Pathway age groups.
• Plan and deliver a high level of injury assessment, prevention and rehabilitation.
• Provide excellent feedback to the MDT on medical outlooks on players and individuals.
• Ensure players experience a safe, secure, and supportive environment.

Responsibilities:

• Liaise with Club Medical staff and academy coaching staff regarding players’ injury status and availability daily and weekly.
• Be in attendance for all training sessions and matches throughout the season across the PGA.
• Arrange, lead and perform annual player medical screening, including concussion testing and cardiac screening for PGA players.
• Assess and manage injuries and illnesses to ALL players across the pathway.
• Provide treatment and rehabilitation to players.
• Design and deliver individual injury prevention programmes.
• Deliver or oversee treatment for players needing ongoing rehabilitation through the off season.
• Keep records which meet the standards set by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, The Society of Sports Therapists and the General Medical Council, as applicable.
• Ensure records always abide by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Rules of Professional Conduct, GMC Code of Conduct.
• Conduct medical screening and process around trialists.
• Responsible for keeping contemporaneous confidential medical records using Kitman Labs and any other systems utilized by the club / FA.
• Manage referrals for PGA players to relevant persons.
• Communicate with parents/carers in the event of physiotherapy / sports therapy queries, generally, and specifically to their children.
• Ensure management are aware of rules and best practice for adequate physiotherapy / sports therapy provision (e.g., access, equipment, insurance) and PGA processes allow adherence to these guidelines.
• Advise and direct other staff on the needs of players.
• Attend case management meetings and provide professional opinion/input.
• Educate coaches on the physiotherapy / sports therapy provision, and how to help players get the best from it.
• In conjunction with colleagues, design and implement PGA site emergency action plan and for all other home venues.
• Perform weekly medical equipment checks and advise on actions required accordingly.
• Provide support based on each individual player’s needs; treat the person as well as the injury.
• Operate within professional boundaries and follow agreed processes relating to referrals to other colleagues/agencies.
• Work with the PGA’s Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP) and Performance & Wellbeing Lead to ensure that the wellbeing and welfare of all players and staff is always an operational priority.
• Assist the PGA team with administrative activities such as audit.
• Must ensure adequate cover for players needing ongoing rehabilitation through the off season and lead on injury prevention strategy.
• Manage fixed term Sports Therapist(s) and their hours to ensure cover across Pathway and PGA.
• Other duties and responsibilities as required by line manager.
• Upholding and promoting the Club’s policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities policies and procedures.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications:

• Essential:
• HCPC Registered with full membership of the Society of Sports Therapy.
• Must hold in date Professional Indemnity Insurance.
• Degree in Sports Therapy.
• Must hold a minimum of Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF).
• UKAD Introduction to Clean Sport.
• FA Level 1 Introduction to First Aid in Football (IFAiF) or FA Emergency First Aid.
• FA Safeguarding Children.
• FA DBS.
• Desirable:
• Previous experience in a similar PGA or academy role.
• Level 5 ATMIFF Qualification.
• Engages in professional development, for example: Physical Development of Youth Female Players (Football HER); Player support (e.g. – Talented Athlete Lifestyle Support); Coaching & mentoring qualification (e.g., EMCC).

Benefits:

• Complimentary match day ticket.
• Reward and Discount Scheme through our Tech Scheme and Simple Health app.
• Health and Wellbeing benefit scheme.
• 20% Discount in our Retail Stores.
• Discounts in various gyms through GymFlex.
• Volunteering Day – 1 Workday off to support a charity of your choice.
• Travel Season Ticket loan.
• Holiday allowance: 25 Days.

Our commitment to Equality:

At Crystal Palace Football Club, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion is spirited and continues to grow due to the working environment, which makes all staff feel appreciated and welcomed. Crystal Palace Football Club do this by encouraging good relations and practices towards different groups and are committed to promoting employment opportunities that celebrate diversity. We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the most talented candidates and the club intends to ensure that everyone who wishes to engage with the club, whether as matchday fans, staff, players, board members, participants in Foundation programmes and any other person engaged with the club’s activities, has a real and equal opportunity to do so.

Reasonable Adjustment:

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role, ensuring equitable opportunities for everyone. If you require disability-related adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact DLO@cpfc.co.uk or recruitment@cpfc.co.uk.

Safeguarding:

Cristal Palace Football Club is committed to safeguarding and ensuring the welfare and protection of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff to share this commitment. As such, the post holder will be required to undergo any relevant security checks, including a comprehensive background check, Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable individuals.