First Team Assistant & Head of Academy Physiotherapist

A new and exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated chartered physiotherapist to join the Castleford Tigers medical team. Sports Therapists and Sports Rehabilitators with significant post-graduate experience in professional sport may also apply.

A new and exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated chartered physiotherapist to join the Castleford Tigers medical team. Sports Therapists and Sports Rehabilitators with significant post-graduate experience in professional sport may also apply.

The successful candidate will be both the assistant physiotherapist for the Men's First Team, and the Head of Academy physiotherapist. This role will involve working at all first team training and games, and providing clinical oversight and leadership for our academy medical programme.

This is a full-time role, with predominately day-time work, although there is some evening and weekend work on matchdays. The role will be based at the club’s stadium in Castleford. However, it is essential that the candidate can travel to associated training and match venues.

Key role responsibilities

• Provide physiotherapy assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services to a caseload of first team & academy players.
• Provide ultimate clinical oversight for all academy teams, including supervising and training three part-time physiotherapists.
• Deliver high-level injury rehabilitation and work with strength and conditioning colleagues, to ensure a safe return to play, and injury prevention.
• Keep excellent electronic records in line with CSP standards, and undertake injury surveillance and audits as required.
• Keep knowledge up-to-date, by attending departmental CPD/MDT sessions, maintaining your own CPD portfolio, and complying with RFL medical guidelines.
• Communicate with staff and players to give updates on rehabilitation, training status and return to play projections.
• Liaise, were required, with external parties such as schools, GPs, international coaches, international medical staff, parents and community coaches.
• Ensuring they adopt a professional manner appropriate to represent the club at all times.

The above is not an exhaustive list and the candidate would be required to carry out other tasks within their scope of practice to meet the demands of the performance environment.

Person specification (E = Essential, D = Desirable)

• Degree in Physiotherapy, or Degree in Sports Rehab or Sports Therapy, with a minimum of 1 year (E) or 2 years (D) post-graduate experience in a professional environment
• HCPC and CSP Registered or equivalent (E)
• IMMOFP qualified (D) or able to undertake this advanced trauma course at the next available opportunity (E)
• Possess the ability to work under pressure, have excellent communication skills, and be highly organised (E)
• Work unsociable hours where required including weekends and bank holidays to meet the demands of a professional sports team. (E)
• Experience of working in sport (E), preferably rugby league (D)
• Experience of working in the NHS and associated knowledge of referral to specialist services within the NHS and private hospitals (D)
• DBS Clearance and evidence of eligibility to work in the UK (E)
• Knowledge of safeguarding and experience of working with children/young adults (E)
• High level of musculoskeletal assessment skills, rehabilitation of elite level athletes and associated understanding on safe return to play strategies. (E)
• Knowledge of wider medical issues associated with working in professional sport, examples include management of concussion, athlete screening, injury and illness prevention strategies (E)
• Able to work autonomously and manage a caseload of players but have the understanding on when to seek advice from senior members of the medical team and onward referral for specialist opinion where required. (E)
• Experience of managing students and junior colleagues (E)
• Car driver with appropriate insurance to drive to required venues (E)

Benefits

• Salary of £25,000 to £30,000, depending on experience.
• Significant opportunities for development. We host regular internal CPD sessions, and you will be provided with a personalised development plan.
• Chance to work with and learn from experienced members of staff. This includes working directly alongside, our Head Physiotherapist, who also works as the Head Physiotherapist for England RL. We also have numerous coaches with international experience.

How to Apply / Enquiries

To apply, please email your CV and a cover letter (no more than 1 page A4), to Head Doctor, Nick Raynor (nickraynor@castigers.com). Please direct any queries to the same email address.

Deadline: 1st March 2023

Interview date: TBC – Likely week commencing 6th March 2023

Start date: 31st March (dependant on current notice period).