Junior Performance PhysiotherapistNewcastle Red Bulls

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Hours: Full-time, including evenings and weekends

Reporting to: Head physiotherapist

Overall clinical oversight: Head of medical services

Based at: Kingston Park Stadium, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 8AF

ABOUT US

Newcastle Red Bulls are the only Premiership rugby team in the true North of England. Our vision is to build the best rugby club in Europe. We are writing a new chapter for professional sport in the region and are seeking a committed, enthusiastic and ambitious Junior Performance Physiotherapist to join our medical and performance team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a physiotherapist with one to two years’ relevant experience to develop their career within a professional rugby academy environment.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The junior performance physiotherapist will support the delivery of high-quality physiotherapy provision to Newcastle Red Bulls’ senior academy players, helping to optimise player health, development, welfare and availability.

Working within an integrated medical and performance team, the successful candidate will contribute to clinical assessment, treatment, injury prevention, rehabilitation and return-to-play support. The role will report to the head physiotherapist, with overall clinical oversight from the head of medical services.

Where capacity and programme requirements allow, there may also be opportunities to support first-team players and activities.

We are looking for a player-centred, collaborative and proactive physiotherapist who can work calmly and professionally in a fast-paced sporting environment, while recognising the physical, psychological and developmental needs of academy players.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide day-to-day physiotherapy support across academy training, fixtures, rehabilitation and recovery settings.
• Conduct appropriate clinical assessments of musculoskeletal injuries and player presentations.
• Provide evidence-based physiotherapy treatment and care within the limits of professional competence.
• Support pre-training, post-training and recovery physiotherapy provision.
• Provide clear and appropriate advice to players regarding injury management, treatment, rehabilitation and recovery.
• Support individual injury-prevention, rehabilitation and return-to-play programmes.
• Deliver agreed rehabilitation exercises and interventions in collaboration with the Head Physiotherapist, Academy Lead Therapist, medical team and athletic performance staff.
• Monitor player responses to rehabilitation and communicate progress, concerns and barriers appropriately.
• Use clinical findings, objective markers, player feedback and performance information to support rehabilitation planning.
• Assist with the progression of players from rehabilitation into modified training and, where appropriate, full training.
• Work closely with athletic performance staff to ensure appropriate exercise selection, loading and progression.
• Communicate player restrictions, modifications and rehabilitation requirements clearly to relevant medical and performance staff.
• Contribute to injury-prevention initiatives, including screening, prehabilitation, mobility, conditioning and player education.
• Provide physiotherapy and medical support at training sessions, fixtures, travel and other rugby programme activities as required.
• Assist with pitch-side medical cover within your level of qualification, competence and delegated responsibility.
• Support the assessment and immediate management of injuries during training and fixtures, escalating to senior medical staff where appropriate.
• Assist with the preparation of treatment areas, medical equipment, pitch-side resources and emergency supplies.
• Respond calmly and appropriately to acute injuries and medical incidents, following club procedures and the direction of the senior medical team.
• Maintain accurate, timely and up-to-date medical records on the club’s designated medical system, including Kitman Labs or equivalent.
• Record clinical assessments, treatment, rehabilitation activity, player communications and progress in accordance with club requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with professional, safeguarding, data protection and medical governance requirements.
• Escalate clinical concerns, safeguarding matters and welfare issues appropriately.
• Work collaboratively with the medical team, athletic performance staff, coaches, rugby operations staff and other relevant colleagues.
• Participate in clinical supervision, in-service training, case reviews, continuing professional development and departmental improvement initiatives.
• Represent Newcastle Red Bulls professionally and uphold high standards of integrity, discretion and conduct.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Consistent delivery of safe, effective and high-quality physiotherapy care.
• Effective contribution to injury prevention, rehabilitation and return-to-play programmes.
• Appropriate and safe progression of players from injury through to training and competition.
• Quality, accuracy and timeliness of medical documentation.
• Effective communication with players, coaches, medical colleagues and performance staff.
• Appropriate escalation and management of clinical, safeguarding and welfare concerns.
• Compliance with club, PRL, RFU, World Rugby and relevant professional standards.
• Engagement with supervision, continuing professional development and clinical review.
• Positive contribution to player welfare, development and availability.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• BSc (Hons) degree in Physiotherapy or equivalent.
• Current registration with the relevant professional body, including HCPC and/or CSP as applicable.
• One to two years’ post-registration experience, ideally including experience in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, sport or a related clinical environment.
• Experience assessing, treating or rehabilitating musculoskeletal injuries.
• Understanding of rehabilitation principles, exercise progression, loading and return-to-play processes.
• Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary medical and performance team.
• Ability to communicate clearly and build positive relationships with developing athletes.
• Ability to work calmly and professionally in training, matchday and high-pressure environments.
• Ability to work full-time hours, including evenings, weekends and travel as required by the rugby programme.
• Eligible to work in the UK.
• Enhanced DBS clearance, or willingness to undergo the required checks.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Experience working with developing athletes or within an academy environment.
• Experience in a professional, semi-professional or high-performance sporting environment.
• Experience providing physiotherapy support in training and matchday environments.
• Experience supporting rehabilitation and return-to-play programmes.
• Experience providing pitch-side medical cover.
• RFU Level 3 PHICIS qualification.
• Experience using medical management systems, such as Kitman Labs or equivalent.
• A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle.
• Additional relevant postgraduate qualifications or professional development.

SAFEGUARDING

Newcastle Red Bulls take safeguarding seriously and are committed to ensuring that children and adults at risk are safeguarded at all times when engaging with club activities or services.

The successful applicant will be required to comply with all club safeguarding policies and procedures, complete appropriate safeguarding training and undergo the relevant safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and RFU safer recruitment clearance.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Newcastle Red Bulls are an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered fairly and will receive equal opportunities irrespective of sex, age, race, religion or belief, marriage or civil partnership, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, ethnic or national origin.

The post holder must comply with the club’s Equal Opportunities Policy, relevant health and safety legislation, professional standards and club policies. The duties and responsibilities outlined are neither exclusive nor exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonable duties commensurate with the role.