Job Description

Department:

Harrogate Town First Team Medical Department

Job Title:

Head Physiotherapist (Maternity Cover)

Salary:

Based on experience

Contract type:

Fixed term 10 months Maternity cover *with HTAFC option to extend

Hours:

Up to 40 hours per week- you will be required to have a flexible approach to working hours subject to the demands of the role. This will include evenings and weekends and unsociable hours.

Responsible for

First team players

Responsible to

First team manager

Location:

Harrogate/ Leeds and surrounding area

Regular working hours:

You will be required to work both week days and regular weekends (mainly Saturdays) and some unsocial hours as part of an irregular working pattern.

Annual leave is strictly restricted within key times of the football season

Start date:

21st July 2025

Key contacts:

Internal - Director of Sport, 1st Team Manager and Coaches, 1st Team Sports Therapist, 1st Team Sports Scientist / Strength and Conditioning Coach, Club Doctor, Players.

External - Medical Consultants and Specialists, other Football clubs Medical Staff, the English Football League, the FA.

Locations:

Based at Harrogate Town Training Ground (Currently Rothwell FC, Fleet Lane, Leeds LS268NX). Home games at The Exercise Stadium, Wetherby Road, Harrogate, HG27SA.

Due to the nature of the post, travel to 1st team fixtures, B-Team fixtures, tours and medical appointments will be required.

Due to the nature of the role, please DO NOT apply if you do not meet all elements of this criteria:

Mandatory Criteria

BSc/ MSc Physiotherapy

HCPC registration

ATMMIF qualification mandatory (or equivalent)

EFL experience (2 years or more)

Sports massage experience

Car driver with full UK driving license

EFL Pitch side first aid experience

DBS check

Knowledge and experience of treating a wide range of MSK football specific injuries

Ability to effectively monitor and modify training and rehabilitation programs according to clinical needs

Excellent time management skills with experience of managing a varied case load whilst ensuring administration duties kept up to date (eg referrals)

Experience of managing a medical team

FA anti doping whereabouts knowledge

Purpose of the role:

Working within the First Team Medical Department, the Head Physiotherapist will play a pivotal role in providing exceptional physiotherapy services, injury prevention, and rehabilitation support to our First Team Players.

The Head Physiotherapist will lead the Medical Team, working closely with coaching staff to optimise player performance and contribute to the overall success of the Team.

The position is full-time (fixed term), with working hours being flexible around the needs of the Club and include evening and weekend work. You will be expected to undertake any specific training or Continued Professional Development to maintain your up-to-date knowledge and qualifications, and / or as organised by the Club.

Key duties and responsibilities:

Treatments and Injury Rehabilitation

To lead, manage and oversee the provision of medical services to all Players as required.

To demonstrate, deliver and lead expert technical assessment and diagnostic skills ensuring individualised and relevant treatment plans.

Lead in the effective management of return to competitive play (Including gym and outdoor rehabilitation) for all players.

To promote and protect the health and well-being of all Players

Be available and lead any medical rota / calendar to provide compressive care to all players as required.

Regular liaison with the Strength and Conditioning coach to arrange rehab progressions, gym programmes etc

Refer for scans, appointments, consultants, surgery etc and liaise with secretaries and players as appropriate

Prehab and Player Monitoring

Oversee individual prehab and/or exercise programmes to improve flagged areas of concern during testing throughout the season.

Lead the assessment / testing of all MSK Screening i.e. Pre-signing Medicals or Baseline Testing - Provide relevant information with First team Manger to aid decision making

Manage the rest of the medical team in the reporting on progressions of individual programmes.

Utilise testing to monitor changes or adaptations of strength or improvements in areas of concern

Oversee regular testing throughout the season and manage concerns appropriately

Injury Prevention

Lead the monitoring all players, injury / fitness in regarding to training & games

To provide and implement injury prevention strategies in conjunction with the Medical department.

Within your scope of practice, treat and assist players daily in injury prevention through the required treatments i.e. soft tissue work and manual techniques

Match Day

Lead the match day medical provisions as required for the 1st Team Match days

Lead the EAP meetings with the team and the opponent

Provide any treatments required by the players on a match day

Ensure any medical equipment used in a match day is fit for use through regular checks and maintenance

Ensure ordering and auditing of equipment is up to date including the players medical equipment and crowd first aid equipment

Additional

Be compliant with all professional, clinical, and integrated governance standards and participate in clinical audit and other quality assurance processes.

Maintain accurate / updated medical records of all squad members, in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.

Ensure the Club and players are compliant with all medical and anti-doping guidelines, rules and regulations of the governing bodies, i.e. EFL, FA etc. To keep up to date with all said policies and guidelines.

Provide feedback to the management team on all aspects of Physiotherapy provision

Lead the accompanying of players to specialist consultations / appointments as required

Lead daily updates to the coaching staff for injuries / numbers available for training

Lead in the purchasing of any medical stock i.e. Tapes and Strappings

Liaise with the Club Doctor, to ensure that required medications are available and in stock

Respect and maintain patient confidentiality at all times.

To undertake appropriate professional development to keep abreast of industry best practice

Organise monthly meetings with staff members

Liaise with loan players to ensure medical information has been passed to relevant club and communicate injuries as required

Contribute to the day to day running of the training ground and daily jobs as required

Lead monthly CPD sessions including setting presentations for staff members to present back, or first aid scenarios

Report any concerns to safeguarding lead

Other duties as reasonably requested by a member of the senior management staff.

Safeguarding Statement

Harrogate Town AFC is committed to safeguarding and the welfare of children & young people and expect all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment. This post requires Enhanced Criminal Records Checks and may include checks against the Barred Lists; as such it is exempt from Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Therefore, all convictions (including spent convictions) that have not been subject to filtering by the DBS should be declared prior to accepting this role.

To apply for this role

Send your CV and cover letter to rachelmcgeachie@harrogatetownafc.com by Fri 16th May 2025

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 10 months

Pay: From 35,000.00 per year

Schedule:

Weekend availability
Application question(s):

Do hold a current ATMMIF pitch side first aid qualification? (or equivilent) Do you hold 2 + years experience within professional sport?
Licence/Certification:

HCPC (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 15/05/2025
Reference ID: PHYMATCOV
Expected start date: 21/07/2025