Vacancy: Senior First Team Physiotherapist
Salary: Available upon request
Department: Football Science & Medicine Department
Location(s): Crown Oil Arena, OL11 5DR; Rochdale Sports Club, OL11 5BX
Closing Date: Friday 04 September 2020
The successful candidate will be required to work a two-month probationary period. This vacancy is subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure.
An exciting opportunity exists for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to become a member of the Football Science and Medicine Department at Rochdale AFC in the role of the First Team’s Senior Chartered Physiotherapist.
Reporting to the First Team Manager and the Head of Football Science and Performance the candidate will contribute to the maintenance and development of a high-performance environment, working with and alongside other key stakeholders including coaching and medical colleagues covering all aspects of player performance, through elite-standard practices and delivery.
Applicants will be suitably qualified, namely degree level educated and ATMMiF qualified, and be responsible for maintaining their relevant professional qualifications.
Rochdale AFC is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, belief, and gender.
Role summary
Reporting to the First Team Manager and the Head of Football Science and Performance, the Senior Physiotherapist will contribute to the achievement of the aims and performance targets of Rochdale AFC through:
- Providing physiotherapy support for the First Team players, in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of all injuries.
- Responsible for covering all First Team matches (home and away [ATMMiF qualified]), training sessions and coordinate a daily treatment and rehabilitation service.
- Ensuring the day-to-day implementation of the First Team’s medical support processes, geared towards achieving the Football Science and Medicine Department’s vision and strategy.
- Liaise with the Head of Football Science and Performance with the development and implementation of the Football Science and Medicine philosophy that will integrate into the vision and structure of the club.
- Liaise closely with other medical and football science staff regarding the diagnosis, prognosis, and rehabilitation of all injuries. Be an integral part of the multi-disciplinary approach to return-to-training and return-to-play processes.
- Organise and coordinate all necessary investigations (e.g., MRI, X-ray), appointments, and specialist treatments / procedures.
- Advise and assist in the implementation and delivery of objective injury prevention protocols through musculoskeletal screening, assessment, and analysis.
- Coordinate the development of evidence-based protocols for all areas of Physiotherapy within the First Team.
- In liaison with football science staff, deliver scientifically underpinned pitch- and gym-based conditioning sessions with a view to accelerate return-to-play, where appropriate, reflecting the scientific principles of periodisation.
- Contribute to the upkeep of detailed records for all activities in the department in accordance will relevant policies and procedures.
- Ensure that all relevant information collected from players is logged and presented to appropriate staff members; First Team players medical records are maintained and secure.
- Responsible for overseeing a departmental budget and ensuring that all equipment and consumables are ordered and maintained to a high standard.
- Lead, develop and coordinate a First Team CPD programme for the department.
- Coordinate and manage other medical employees.
- Coordination of sports medicine delivery through key working partners.
Person specification
The successful candidate will have an appreciation of the medical and scientific underpinnings of team sports, and experience of working within an elite football environment is desirable. Effective communication skills, an understanding of working with professional footballers, commitment to working unsociable hours, and the ability to create the right ethos and be a role model are essential.
Qualifications
Essential:
- A qualification at degree level (or equivalent) in sports medicine or a related area.
- ATMMiF accredited (or equivalent) to meet all legal requirements of the role for pitch-side / on-pitch medical cover of training and games.
- Member of CSP and HCPC.
Technical/work-based skills
Essential:
- Demonstrate good levels of I.T. literacy, in particular the use of Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, and shared file systems (e.g. Dropbox).
- Possess the coaching and communication skills that engages and motivates a diverse range of players.
General skills and attributes
Essential:
- The ability to work to deadlines using problem solving skills, initiative and sensitivity.
- Respond positively to change in a dynamic, fast-moving environment.
- Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and develop productive intra-/inter-departmental relationships.
Desired:
- Track record in working within multidisciplinary coaching and support teams.
Please note, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.
How to apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter to:
Kevin Gibbins
Rochdale AFC
Head of Football Science and Performance
Kevin.Gibbins@rochdaleafc.co.uk