Head Physiotherapist

Sheffield United Football Club are seeking a Head Physiotherapist to lead the medical provision across Women’s Football, combining clinical expertise with strategic oversight of the Club’s medical function.

The role will be responsible for the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of First Team players, while setting and maintaining high standards across the wider medical department. Working closely with the Human Performance team, the Head Physiotherapist will lead the development of evidence-based practice, medical governance, staff development and clinical processes, while providing strategic medical insight to the Head of Women’s Football and Technical Board.

We are looking for an experienced physiotherapist with a strong background in elite sport, field-based rehabilitation and pitch-side care. The successful candidate will be a highly organised and motivated leader who is committed to developing people, improving practice and delivering consistently high standards of medical care across Women’s Football.

Core Role Responsibilities

• Fulfil the role of a chartered physiotherapist in the assessment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of all injuries. Whilst also providing support and learning to all other medical staff across Women’s Football.
• Lead on the development of evidence-based protocols for all areas of physiotherapist relating to Women’s Football, using all available resources including the latest research and collaboration with clinical specialists.
• Lead on the multi-disciplinary approach of working within the ‘Human Performance’ area of Women’s Football, that includes close links to all areas of the business. Leading on all player injuries/illnesses in consultation with the wider MDT and medical team.
• Provide medical cover for all Home & Away fixtures. Liaising with and managing appropriate pitch side personal, including Physiotherapists, Paramedics and opposition medical staff.
• Record, and continuously maintain medical records befitting of the CSP standard, whilst completing Women’s Football wide clinical audits, ensuring standards are being met.
• Lead on the training and development of all medical staff.
• Lead on the auditing of the medical department, ensuring that the Club is consistently meeting the licence and regulations it is bound by.
• Lead on the Clubs Health Partner scheme, ensuring all players are appropriately registered, and processes are followed.
• Provided strategic oversight to the Head of Women’s Football and Technical Board as and when required relating to medical audits and player updates.
• Work with the Head of Women’s Football in managing the Club’s medical budget, and forecast spend.
• To be available for occasional ‘out-of-hours’ responsibilities, including medicals, consultations etc.
• Lead on the medical process relating to new signings, ensuring the appropriate procedures are followed.
• Oversee weekly medical clinics for 1st team players, as and when required.
• Responsible for the day-to-day delivery of high-level injury rehabilitation and pitch side first aid care.
• Work closely with the 1st Team Physical Performance Coach, and other relevant staff, to ensure optimum rehabilitation an progression of injuries.
• Deliver, maintain and analyse weekly screening of all 1st team players.
• Maintain all legal and professional qualifications relating to your position within the Club.
• Observe, monitor and react to the ever-changing world of sports medicine; keeping up to date with all current research developments.
• Attend and professionally engage in the internal emergency aid staff CPD programme.
• Other Duties.
• Any other reasonable requests as directed by management.

Club Wide Responsibilities

• Adhere to all Sheffield United Football Club’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures to foster an environment which protects from harm those defined as children and adults at risk.
• Report any concerns of a Safeguarding nature to the relevant parties and remain fully compliant with any applicable Safeguarding checks and due diligence and recognise your responsibility to the Club’s Safeguarding agenda.
• Report any concerns of discrimination to the relevant parties and promote a welcoming and inclusive club environment for all.
• Adhere to the Club’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies, supporting the Club to create an environment which is inclusive and all-encompassing.
• Carry out and actively participate in all training requests as directed by the Club, including mandatory health and safety training, emergency procedures, fire safety, manual handling, safeguarding, and role-specific safety instruction.

Essential Criteria for the Role

• BSc or MSc in Physiotherapy.
• Valid HCPC and CSP Registration.
• Experience of working within an Elite Sports Profession.
• Pitch Side Trauma Management qualification (ATMMiF).
• To hold an enhanced criminal record check through the Disclosure and.
• Barring Service.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Experience of field-based sports rehabilitation.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• A strong motivator, with high enthusiasm.
• Student of the professional, looking to improve and develop.

Eligibility for Employment in the UK
In accordance with current legislative requirements the successful applicant must produce documentary verification of their eligibility to work in the UK and will not be allowed to start work until this has been received.

Equality and Diversity
Sheffield United FC is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment and its employment policies for recruitment, selection, training, development and promotion are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, ethnic and national origin, disability or gender reassignment.

Sheffield United FC are a Disability Confident Committed Employer. If you would like further information regarding the scheme and how we are able to support disabled persons within the workplace, then please contact our HR team at careers@sufc.co.uk

Safer Recruitment

Sheffield United FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. The successful applicant will be required to undertake appropriate safeguarding checks as well as providing proof of right to work in the UK. For further information on the Club’s Safeguarding Statement please access the following link:
sufc.co.uk/club/policies/safeguarding-policy