Women's First Team Lead Physiotherapist

JOB PURPOSE

• To support the performance ambitions of the programme by leading and delivering best practice physiotherapy and professional care to players
• To lead a best practice approach to mitigating injury risk
• To ensure that optimal return to play strategies and delivery is in place to minimise time away from training and playing
• Line manage FT and PT therapists, students and interns and support with all aspects of medical provision within the Academy age groups
• To play a role in developing and sustaining a culture of high performance, safer working, and respectful behaviour

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Delivery:

• Ensure players benefit from a high quality physiotherapy service which minimises injury incidence
• Develop and lead the teams return to play strategies in collaboration with the Club Doctor and SS team
• Ensure effective systems and processes are in place to aid the co-ordination of the multi-disciplinary team
• Ensure there is an evidence-based approach, that is appropriately data informed
• Identify trends in injury patterns, informing future practice

Relationships and Team working:

• Maintain strong relationships between coaching staff and physiotherapy, and between physiotherapy and other performance support functions (e.g., S&C), and wider teams (e.g., safeguarding)
• Ensure a holistic approach to the treatment and prevention and treatment of injury exists at the club

Physiotherapy provision

• Consult with players to gather information about health and injury
• Work with players in the assessment, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of all injuries
• Discuss all potential referrals for radiology/specialist opinion with the Head of Medical
• Devise and deliver individualised rehabilitation/ treatment plans
• Provide pitch side first aid and support
• Use developed clinical reasoning skills to review and evaluate patient progress and current condition
• In conjunction with the team Doctor and Head of Performance lead on the assessment of new player signings
• Liaise with Head of Performance to agree and report player readiness for training and matches
• Deliver physical screening / movement screening throughout the season working with the performance department and team doctor
• Provide staff with formal performance reviews (appraisals) and hold regular informal 1-1s
• Encourage the medical team to network, attend conferences and develop their craft and understanding of best practice
• To ensure the squad are supported by medical staff by arranging appropriate medical cover at all times throughout the season and off-season
• To hold a weekly medical meeting with the PGA physiotherapist, focusing on reviewing SOAP notes, injury prognosis, treatment & rehabilitation. These meetings can be held in-person or online and should be documented and minuted.
• To offer a second opinion on complex cases and if needed, collaborate with the Men’s Head of Medical on best management plans.
• In delivering the above, ensure the latest clinical, scientific, and technical innovations for practice are incorporated into maintaining the highest level of care

Data and evaluation

• Collect and analyse data including injury and illness incidence & rate. Analyse and use insight to refine practice (e.g., injury prevention strategy)
• Ensure medical records are up to date accurate and confidential; and meet the requirements of the football authorities (e.g., The FA & Pro League) and other regulations (e.g., GDPR, UKAD), and comply with the Health and Care Profession Council standards of documentation
• Engage in the Professional League Injury and Illness surveillance project
• Monitor practices and ensure they meet the criteria & standards set by the Care Quality Commission
• Provide periodic (e.g., daily, weekly) injury reports to stakeholders (Head of Women’s Football, Head Coach / Manager, Head of Performance Support, Head of Medical)
• Attend weekly injury update meetings/discussions with the Head of Medical

Multi-disciplinary working

• Contribute to strategies for prevention and reduction of injury
• Manage the Women’s first team medical staff (Sports Therapist, Student, paramedics) to always ensure adequate provision and organisation
• Ensure all players attending external consultations are supported by a member of the medical team
• Work with complementary functions (e.g., S&C, safeguarding, performance wellbeing) to ensure a player-centric culture is in existence
• Provide physiotherapy input to case management meetings, to optimise player performance and minimise time lost due to injury
• Assist the Head of Medical in the recruitment process of any medical members of staff.

Budget management

• Monitor and discuss season by season budget with the Head of Medical
• To assist with medical equipment stock orders

Self-development

•  Attend CPD events and undertake CPD activities in line with identified development themes
• Conduct and oversee research projects to underpin practice and service development
• To attend, participate and contribute towards the regular in-service programme within the medical department.
• To keep up to date with relevant first aid qualifications (ATMMiF);

MAIN JOB REQUIREMENTS AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

For a Physiotherapist

• Registered member of the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Chartered Physiotherapist (CSP)
• Have appropriate medical indemnity to treat/advise BWSL and BWC players
• Full, up to date Advanced Emergency Aid qualification; this should be the Level 5 ATMMIF
• Attend a yearly ATMMiF reaccreditation
• UKAD Clean Sport Advisor
• Safeguarding and Protecting Children / FA Safeguarding Children (acquired before starting role)
• DBS Clearance / Enhanced FA CRC check (acquired before starting the role)

Specific Experience:

• Experience working in Elite Football or Elite Sport
• Experience of leading pitch and gym-based rehabilitation and recovery sessions
• Experience of developing and delivering rehabilitation and Injury reduction strategies.
• Highly experienced in the planning and delivery of gym-based and pitch-based football rehabilitation programs
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team in providing performance support to athletes
•  Experience of collaborating with sport science staff in the use of technologies and software systems, and the use of data to inform rehabilitation and return to training and competition programmes.
• Knowledge and experience of the women’s game, specifically the existence and implications of:
• o            different governance and structures
• o            the growth of the women’s game
• o            player pathways
• o            awareness and coverage of the women’s game
• o            required coaching behaviours in the women’s and girl’s games
• o            technical and tactical differences between men’s and women’s football
• o            career development opportunities
• o            coaching environment
• An up to date understanding of Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures
• Knowledge and Awareness of diversity and equality challenges in football