Academy Rehabilitation Physiotherapist

Academy Rehabilitation Physiotherapist - Cobham, Surrey

DEPARTMENT: Performance Therapies - Academy

REPORTING TO: Performance Therapies Lead – Academy

JOB FUNCTION: The role will work alongside another rehabilitation physiotherapist and be responsible for leading and delivering rehabilitation to players within our full-time programme (U15-21) that experience longer-term injuries. The role will ensure that they return to performance in a timely manner utilising the appropriate criterion to determine the rate of their progression and inform shared return to play decision making with the wider Performance Support and Coaching teams.

LOCATION: Chelsea FC Training Ground, Cobham. Travel as required

CONTRACT: Permanent Role.  

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES (Play Your Part):

• To plan, organise, and deliver the necessary rehabilitation strategies to ensure the long-term injuries within our full-time programme return to performance in the appropriate timeframe.
• To fulfil the role of a Chartered Physiotherapist in the assessment, diagnosis and rehabilitation of U15-21 players, in addition to the wider group of Academy players when required.
• To ensure the Performance Therapies Lead, lead age group physiotherapists and the wider performance support team are kept informed of the players’ progress and provided with clear updates throughout the rehabilitation process.
• To utilise the skills and experience of the wider performance support team throughout the rehabilitation process to achieve the desired successful outcomes.
• To support and work in collaboration with other members of the Performance Therapies and Performance Medicine team, always upholding the team philosophy.
• To participate in player screening and monitoring of the U15-21 squad throughout the season, providing assistance with other age groups when required.
• To provide cover for Academy matches and training sessions, where and when required, determined by the needs of the department and in line with EPPP guidelines.
• Complete all appropriate administrative tasks in line with this role and maintain detailed medical records on the club’s medical record system and rehabilitation trackers.
• Adhere to all club policies as listed in your Chelsea FC Employee Handbook which is available through the Chelsea FC Intranet or from your line manager. 
• Deliver service in any area of the Chelsea Football Club as required.
• Maintain confidentiality around any information relating to players and Chelsea Football Club.

MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE (Here to Win):

• To ensure players have a successful return to play and readiness to perform within the agreed timescales.
• Keep re-injuries to fewer than 10%.
• To deliver a high-quality service to players, support other members of the team, and contribute to the daily routines and team approach of the department.
• To participate in the Academy staff review scheme and professional development plan process.
• To be an active participant in departmental and Academy wide service development and innovation projects.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential:

• Physiotherapy degree
• HCPC Registration
• ATMMiF qualification
• FA Safeguarding in Football qualification
• Previous experience of working with young, elite athletes
• A good understanding of the role of growth and maturation on injury profile
• Extensive experience of planning and delivering the rehabilitation of a wide range of sports injuries
• Significant experience of using clinical, gym-based, and pitch-based objective measures to inform clinical decision making during the rehabilitation process
• Excellent communication, adaptability, and team work
• To be calm, composed, and caring
• Flexibility to work the hours required to fulfil the role and the requirements of the Academy Performance Therapies Team.

Desirable:

• Post graduate qualification in a relevant field (e.g. sports medicine, MSK, S&C)
• Experience working within a Football Academy
• A specialist interest in adolescent injuries

The Employee must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities with due regard to Chelsea Football Club policies and procedures in particular Health & Safety, Financial Authorisation, Confidentiality and with regard to the Data Protection Act. The Employee must act to protect all young people and vulnerable adults that are in their care or attending the Company's premises. The Employee must report any misconduct or suspected misconduct to the Safeguarding Lead. 

Chelsea Football Club and the Foundation is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, young people and adults at risk (vulnerable groups) that are in our care or attending our premises. As a consequence, Chelsea FC may require any successful applicants to complete a DBS Check prior to working at our premises. Successful applicants may also be required to undergo other child protection screening appropriate to the post applied for.

The Employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relations amongst Employees and customers. 

The above Job Description is not intended to be exhaustive, the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the Club.