First Team Physiotherapist

JOB PURPOSE

To work within the club’s Medical Department in the effective running and application of all medical related matters to First Team players and department staff instructed to by the Senior Physiotherapist and Head of Performance & Medicine. This post is expected to optimise the player availability and enhance the medical support of Rotherham United First Team players through the provision of football’s best scientific and medical practice. With a passionate focus in exercise prescription, the First Team Physiotherapist will provide excellent on-field and gym-based programming in the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries and injury related matters. The First Team Physiotherapist is also expected to collaborate with the Academy program and in the departments on going education programmes such as developing intra-club research studies. The First Team Physiotherapist should also partake in an effective network outside the club.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Carry out duties in accordance with all relevant company policies, including, but not limited to, the Health and Safety Policy, Code of Conduct Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Equality and Diversity Policy, Financial Regulation Policy and Social Media Policy;
• To safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk;
• To be vigilant and support all safety and security operations;
• Act always with utmost good faith to the Club, Foundation and the Company;
• Devote full attention and ability to fulfilment of the duties required by the role;
• Other duties as reasonably requested by a member of the senior management staff;
• To work closely with partnership organisations, to maintain good relationships and collaborative working practices;
• To work with colleagues throughout Rotherham United Football Club & Foundation to extend knowledge and skills in order to identify and develop best practice;
• Deal with enquiries and general day-to-day liaison with customers, colleagues and partners;
• Carry out general office duties including data recording, filing, photocopying, sending and receiving emails;
• Active participation on continuing professional development and the appraisal process;
• To undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this job;
• To maintain the quality of service provision, regularly evaluating work and seeking to make improvements;
• Present a professional image when dealing with both internal and external contacts and partners, acting in a professional manner always;
• To cover as and when required at other departments within Rotherham United Football Club & Foundation;
• To recognise commercial opportunities across all products within Rotherham United Football Club & Foundation;
• Promote the brand identity and increase Rotherham United fanbase throughout;
• To support the Rotherham United Football Club green energy saving strategy and meet all requirements including but not exclusive to recycling, waste reduction, energy efficiency; and
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade and falling within the scope of the post, as requested by the Chief Executive.

The above-mentioned duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exclusive nor exhaustive as the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities, commensurate with the grading of the post, without changing the general character of the post.

Rotherham United Football Club & Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and employees to share this commitment.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Head of Performance & Medicine
• Senior Physiotherapist
• First Team Physiotherapist
• First Team Sports Scientist
• Head of Academy Sport Science and Medicine

SCOPE OF THE ROLE

• To assist in the delivery, development and rehabilitation of all Medical and Musculoskeletal care relating to First Team players. It is expected that this delivery is through high professional standards utilising up to date research and evidence-based practice within the Medical Department. 
• To assist in the development of evidence-based protocols and research for all areas of medical science throughout the club. There is an expectation to use all available resources including the latest research, collaborating with a successful network of external clinical specialists and university links.
• To contribute fully within the Performance Science and Medical programme and effectively communicate on the care and injury status of players under the instruction of the Senior Physiotherapist.
• To assist the Senior Physiotherapist on the medical assessment of new signings.
• To assist in the recording of medical records on all first team players using the club’s online performance management application, as well as ensuring the FA Anti-Doping Regulations (Whereabouts/UKAD) are adhered to at all times.
• To assist in all medical testing and cardiac screening.
• To integrate within an intra-institutionalised research initiative from Rotherham United Football Club data collected in all matters of Medical Science to utilise in adapting practice with a possibility of professional publications. 
• To observe, monitor and react to the ever evolving world of Medical Science, keeping up to date with all current research developments and changes in professional regulations.
• To ensure the latest clinical, scientific and technical innovations to practice are incorporated into maintaining the highest level of support within the Medical Department provision. 
• To create successful and professional relationships with staff whilst maintaining professional distance from playing staff at all times. 
• To assist in the implementation of the department injury prevention protocols through assessment, analysis, delivery and auditing of collected data. 
• To periodically collaborate with the Head of Academy Sport Science and Medicine on a regular basis to ensure alignment and transparency of medical information.
• To maintain player information confidentiality within the scope of practice at all times. 
•  To act, at all times, in a manner appropriate to a representative of Rotherham United Football Club               

Essential

• Excellent problem solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to lead pitch and gym-based group and individual conditioning
• Management skills to manage a multidisciplinary group of performance science and medical practitioners
• Set and maintain high standards of work performance and deliver quality consistently and effectively
• Establish and maintain relationships with external institutions
• Exceptional organisational skills with the ability to manage competing demands and deadlines whilst functioning in a fast-moving environment
• Hold a full current and clean up to date driving licence
• Proactive and engaging style with a winning attitude and can-do approach
• Flexible approach and attitude to working hours
• Good listener
• Have an altruistic demeanour cognisant of others’ emotions