Head of Academy Medical

Comunidadlift; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Comunidadlift is seeking a fully registered Physiotherapist to lead medical care across its academy pathways. You will manage injuries, design and deliver screening and rehabilitation programs, and provide medical cover for trainings and matches.

Collaborative work with doctors and sport science will be essential. You will maintain confidential medical records, contribute to performance reviews, and supervise junior staff while upholding safeguarding and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Essential professional qualifications to practice as a physiotherapist in the academy setting.

Responsibilities

• Injury and illness assessment and management for academy players, with referrals as needed.
• Design and implement medical, orthopaedic and movement screening for academy players.
• Screen trialists to assist recruitment decisions.
• Create and deliver individual injury prevention and pre-habilitation programs.
• Provide medical cover for training and match days (U9–U21).
• Record injuries and rehabilitation data in confidential systems.
• Collaborate with doctors, sport science and other staff for integrated performance support.
• Contribute to player performance reviews and audits.
• Maintain and analyse medical records and databases.
• Lead safeguarding and safety compliance within health policies.

Skills

Team collaboration

IT skills

Communication with players/parents

Adaptability

Ambassador for Club

Movement analysis

Education

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

CSP Member

HCPC registered

FA Safeguarding Certificate

Full UK Driving Licence

Knowledge of EPPP

Understanding academy categorisation audits

Enhanced CRC check

Tools

PMA system

Email

Word

Video technology

Job description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assessment and management of injuries and illnesses to all our Academy Players, including relevant referral to internal and external health professionals.
• Management, design, and implementation (in liaison with Academy Head of Sport Science and Medicine) of the medical, orthopaedic and movement screening programmes for all academy players.
• Conduct appropriate screening of trialists to assist with recruitment.
• Design and dissemination of individual injury prevention programmes.
• The delivery of individual and group pre-habilitation services to our Academy players.
• Provision of medical cover for training and match day for U9-U21 fixtures.
• Observation of other Academy medical members of staff, Academy Graduate Physiotherapists, part time Physiotherapists and Physiotherapy Interns, to provide guidance.
• Contribution to the player performance reviews within the The Football iP.
• Accurate recording of all injuries on the Medical Injury Database and The Football iP. To ensure that medical notes are complete and confidential.
• Maintain a comprehensive database of work conducted with athletes and coaches on the Football iP and One Drive. To include current medical status, medical notes, rehabilitation and pre-habilitation programmes, medical/orthopaedic/movement screen results, individual physical targets and session content and attendance.
• Collate, analyse, and feedback relevant medical information to the appropriate Club staff for all Academy players. This is to include updates on injured players, rehabilitation programmes, return to train/play dates and injury audits (but must respect and abide by medical confidentiality laws).
• Work effectively with other support staff and services, including doctors/sport science services, to provide an integrated approach to performance enhancement.
• Attendance at all team meetings and active inclusion in discussions.
• Design and implementation (in liaison with Head of Sport Science and Medicine) of an Emergency Action Plan for each site that training/matches occur (where we are the “home” team).
• Identify areas for development and work closely with the Academy Management Team, Multidisciplinary Teams to ensure necessary performance standards are met and developed.
• Be part of the Academy Management Team (AMT).
• Design and implement the rota for all other academy medical staff.

Health & Safety:

Employee requirements:

• Maintain up to date knowledge of Health & Safety related guidance and processes within your role and in line with the Club’s Health & Safety Policy.
• Consider the Health & Safety implications of all actions and inaction within your role.
• Support and uphold agreed standards for Health & Safety compliance, including assisting in accident, dangerous occurrence and near miss investigations within your role.
• Follow and adhere to; safe management systems and working practices in line with the Club’s Health & Safety Policy.
• Ensure you have been briefed and are confident in using any equipment prior to use and seek guidance from your line manager as required.
• Regularly review risk assessments, safe working, and management systems associated with your role.
• Liaise regularly with the Club’s appointed Health & Safety representatives to support and maintain compliance
• Maintain records of all Health & Safety issues within your role and area of responsibility.

MAIN JOB REQUIREMENTS AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education/Qualifications/Training:

Essentials

• BSc (Hons) Degree in Physiotherapy
• CSP Member
• HCPC registered
• A high level of knowledge of the Academy PMA system
• Valid FA Safeguarding Children Certificate (the Club will support the attainment of this)
• Full UK Driving Licence
• Knowledge of the EPPP
• Understanding of Academy categorisation audits
• Valid enhanced CRC check – the Club will support the attainment of this

Desirables

• FA Psychology Awards
• MIDAS minibus driving license
• FA Advanced Trauma and medical Management in Football (ATMMiF)

Specific Experience:

• Committed, enthusiastic and passionate about the development of medical staff in all three phases of the Academy (FP, YDP, and PDP).
• Knowledge of musculoskeletal assessment and rehabilitation of elite level paediatric athletes
• Ability to analyse and interpret movement patterns and posture
• Able to communicate effectively with players, parents and fellow staff members at all levels.
• Build relationships throughout the Academy and broader areas of the club.

Abilities/Skills/Knowledge:

• Ability to work as part of a team as well as using one’s own initiative in developing staff.
• Strong IT skills with the ability to use e-mail, word and video technology to a high standard.
• Able to adapt to the demands of the job and needs of the players / coaches.
• Focused on achieving Club, departmental and individual success
• Willing to follow and promote the culture and philosophy of the football club.
• Be an ambassador for the Club presenting the Club in a positive image at all times.

Additional Information:

• This a Full-Time role
• Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK

SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT

The Club is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

The Club has systems in place to ensure that the welfare of vulnerable groups is dealt with appropriately and sensitively. Everyone working at the Club has a duty of care to safeguard the welfare of children and young people by creating an environment that protects them from harm. Our standards of practice ensure all staff are fully aware and understand their responsibilities under safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.

The Club ensures that all staff that have a direct responsibility for children, young people or vulnerable adults, have been subject to the most stringent of recruitment practices which include Criminal Record Checks and reference checks. These staff are alert to signs of abuse or maltreatment and will refer concerns to the relevant Designated Safeguarding Officers using the agreed safeguarding procedures.

EQUALITY STATEMENT

The individual must at all times, carry out their duties with due regard to the Clubs policies and procedures and in particular the Club’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

The individual 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 relationships between all internal and external stakeholders. The individual must contribute to encouraging equality and respecting diversity by embedding such values in the workplace and challenging inappropriate behaviour and processes.