First Team Head PhysiotherapistSheffield United

Contract Type: Permanent, full time
Hours: 40 hours per week
Location: Sheffield United Training Academy, Various as per role requirements
Line Manager: Head of Medicine and Science
Salary: Competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience
Post Reference: FT062026-PHP
Sheffield United Football Club are looking to appoint a First Team Head Physiotherapist to play a key role within the Club's first team medical department.

Working closely with the Head of Medicine and wider MDT, the successful candidate will contribute to the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of First Team players, ensuring the highest standards of medical care are delivered within an elite performance environment. The role will also provide leadership and support to the physiotherapy team, contributing to staff development, service improvement initiatives, and the ongoing evolution of clinical practice across the department.

We are seeking an experienced practitioner with a strong background in elite sport, excellent clinical reasoning skills, and a collaborative approach to player care. The successful candidate will be committed to delivering evidence-based practice while continually striving to enhance both individual and departmental performance.

Role Responsibilities:

- Assist the provision and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal care for all First Team Professional Players.
- Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and liaise with players (and parents where/if necessary) to ensure complete medical services and provided to the elite standard.
- Where required to, communicate the injury status and return to play strategy to the MDT and management staff, in-line with the aligned vision of the Head of Medicine.
- Where required to, travel with the team and provide pitch-side medical cover for club fixtures.
- Liaise with and manage appropriate pitch-side personal during games, including physiotherapists, paramedics, opposition physiotherapists etc.
- Be available for directed advice outside contact hours, within reason.
- Be available for occasional 'out-of-hours' additional responsibilities e.g. medicals, consultations.
- Oversee the management of First Team player injuries/illness in consultation with the Head of Medicine and the wider MDT.
- Participate in the training and development of physiotherapy staff.
- Help maintain adequate stocks of appropriate appliances and equipment as procured by the club.
- Maintain secure medical records and ensure the completion of all appropriate paperwork/electronic records.
- Maintain own appropriate Continued Professional Development (CPD) and actively participate in that of those within the medical department and MDT.
- Assist and where required lead in service development, creation of frameworks, standard operating procedures and innovative ways of working.
- Identify areas of service development objectives and undertake in-house investigation to evolve practises in-line with evidence base, and anecdotal information when required.

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.
- Any other reasonable requests as directed by management.

Essential Criteria for the Role:

- Postgraduate education with expertise in spinal and pelvic related issues.
- Valid HCPC and CSP Registration.
- Completion of an enhanced criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service upon offer acceptance.
- Experience working with Elite Sports Professionals with considerable experience operating at this level.
- Pitch side trauma management (ATMMIF) or equivalent.
- Good Interpersonal Skills - must be a consistent performer.
- Reflective on own approaches, strengths, weaknesses and area for development.
- Student of the profession, looking to improve and develop.

Desirable Criteria: for the Role:

- A strong motivator, with high enthusiasm.
- Experience of gymnasium and field-based rehabilitation.