First Team Physiotherapist

Stadium MK Group; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is seeking an experienced First Team Physiotherapist to join its high-performance Sports Science and Medicine Department. You will assess, treat and rehabilitate First Team players, guiding safe returns to play in a fast-paced professional football environment.

The role requires HCPC registration, CSP membership, and a strong track record in elite sport, with evidence-based practice and excellent communication.

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy qualification or equivalent.
• Current HCPC registration.
• Full membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
• Postgraduate CPD and continued professional development.
• ITMMiF, or equivalent/higher qualification.
• Previous experience working within an elite or high-performance sporting environment.
• Excellent clinical assessment, treatment and rehabilitation skills.
• Strong understanding of evidence-based and criteria-led rehabilitation and return-to-play principles.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary high-performance environment.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• The ability to work independently, use initiative and make sound clinical decisions within your professional scope of practice.
• A commitment to maintaining high professional standards, confidentiality and clinical governance.

Responsibilities

• Provide elite, evidence-based Physiotherapy service to First Team Players.
• Assess, diagnose and manage acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries.
• Develop, deliver and review individualised, criteria-based rehabilitation and reconditioning programmes.
• Support safe and effective return-to-play decision-making in collaboration with the wider Sports Science and Medicine team.
• Provide pitch-side emergency aid and Physiotherapy cover during training and matches.
• Deliver high-level manual therapy, soft tissue therapy and acupuncture where appropriate.
• Contribute to injury prevention strategies, injury surveillance and clinical audit.
• Undertake appropriate medical and neuromusculoskeletal screening and follow-up management.
• Liaise with consultants and external specialists where further investigation or specialist input is required.
• Maintain accurate, confidential and timely medical and Physiotherapy records.
• Contribute to clinical governance and the ongoing development of departmental standards and practice.
• Support the development and mentoring of Sports Therapy Students and junior practitioners.
• Work collaboratively with Sports Science staff to support player Personal Development Plans and wider performance objectives.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the Sports Science and Medicine Department alongside the Head of Performance Medicine.

Skills

Physiotherapy

HCPC registration

CSP membership

CPD

ITMMiF

Elite sport experience

Clinical assessment

Rehabilitation

Return-to-play

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Time management

Education

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

MSc in Sports & Exercise Medicine

ATMMiF

ITMMiF

Tools

Train My Athlete

Vald

Catapult

UltraLinQ

Job description

About Us

Milton Keynes Dons Football Club, newly promoted to EFL League One, play at Stadium MK, a 30,500-capacity venue that sits at the heart of the wider Stadium MK Group. The Group's assets also include Arena MK, the Double Tree by Hilton Milton Keynes, a 304-bedroom hotel, and a 65,000-capacity music venue the National Bowl, making it one of the most diverse sport, leisure, and hospitality operations in the UK.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated First Team Physiotherapist to join our Sports Science and Medicine Department and provide an elite-level Physiotherapy service to our First Team. This is a key role within our high-performance environment, responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and ongoing management of player injuries and musculoskeletal conditions. Working closely with the Head of Performance Medicine, Sports Science, Medical and Coaching teams, you will play an important role in supporting player health, availability, performance and safe return to play. The successful candidate will bring strong clinical expertise, excellent communication skills and a commitment to evidence-based practice, alongside the ability to operate effectively in the fast-paced and demanding environment of professional football.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide an elite, evidence-based Physiotherapy service to First Team Players.
• Assess, diagnose and manage acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries.
• Develop, deliver and review individualised, criteria-based rehabilitation and reconditioning programmes.
• Support safe and effective return-to-play decision-making in collaboration with the wider Sports Science and Medicine team.
• Provide pitch-side emergency aid and Physiotherapy cover during training and matches.
• Deliver high-level manual therapy, soft tissue therapy and acupuncture where appropriate.
• Contribute to injury prevention strategies, injury surveillance and clinical audit.
• Undertake appropriate medical and neuromusculoskeletal screening and follow-up management.
• Liaise with consultants and external specialists where further investigation or specialist input is required.
• Maintain accurate, confidential and timely medical and Physiotherapy records.
• Contribute to clinical governance and the ongoing development of departmental standards and practice.
• Support the development and mentoring of Sports Therapy Students and junior practitioners.
• Work collaboratively with Sports Science staff to support player Personal Development Plans and wider performance objectives.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the Sports Science and Medicine Department alongside the Head of Performance Medicine.

About You

• A BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy qualification or equivalent/higher qualification.
• Current HCPC registration.
• Full membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
• Relevant postgraduate CPD and continued professional development.
• Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMiF), or equivalent/higher qualification.
• Previous experience working within an elite or high-performance sporting environment.
• Excellent clinical assessment, treatment and rehabilitation skills.
• Strong understanding of evidence-based and criteria-led rehabilitation and return-to-play principles.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary high-performance environment.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands.
• The ability to work independently, use initiative and make sound clinical decisions within your professional scope of practice.
• A commitment to maintaining high professional standards, confidentiality and clinical governance.

Desirable

• Experience within professional football or another elite team-sport environment.
• MSc in Sports and Exercise Medicine, Strength & Conditioning or a related discipline, or currently working towards one.
• Advanced Trauma Medical Management in Football (ATMMiF), or equivalent/higher qualification.
• Experience of pitch-side emergency care and match-day medical provision.
• Experience of injury surveillance, audit and injury prevention.
• Working knowledge of systems including Train My Athlete, Vald, Catapult and UltraLinQ.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Experience of mentoring or supervising students, graduates or junior practitioners.

What We Are Looking For

Above all, we are looking for an individual who is proactive, adaptable, resilient and committed to excellence. You will be comfortable working in a high-pressure environment where priorities can change quickly and where the demands of the football schedule require flexibility. You will demonstrate a strong 'can-do' attitude, lead by example and contribute positively to a collaborative, high-performance culture. You will also understand the importance of discretion and confidentiality when working with professional athletes and will demonstrate the highest levels of personal and professional integrity.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a progressive Sports Science and Medicine environment and make a meaningful contribution to the health, rehabilitation and performance of First Team Players. You will work alongside an experienced multidisciplinary team and have the opportunity to contribute to the continued development of our medical and performance provision.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Safeguarding

We are dedicated to providing a safe and secure environment for all. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and all employees are expected to uphold and promote our safeguarding policies and procedures. This role is a regulated position and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and all relevant pre-employment screening checks.