An exciting opportunity has arisen for a physiotherapist to join our experienced sports medical team on a full-time basis. Based at Kingston Park Stadium in Newcastle upon Tyne (with travel around the region), the successful candidate will work closely with the most talented young rugby players in our elite pathway.

They will be an integral member of our dynamic and innovative academy department, which has a proven track record of producing professional rugby players for the Newcastle Falcons 1^st team squad and England teams and will be complimenting an established inter-disciplinary medical team to ensure consistently high standards of medical care and player welfare are delivered.

Purpose of Role:

To plan, deliver and review all aspect of medical care within the Junior Academy (U16-U18) with a focus on injury assessment, diagnosis, rehabilitation and prevention

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage all medical provision for the Junior Academy in line with club directives
• Work with other medical staff to provide trauma and triage care, clinical assessment and diagnosis of injuries and the planning and delivering of rehabilitation plans against objective markers to players
• Provide pitch side cover at all academy training sessions and age group fixtures in conjunction with other staff. Providing strapping, injury management, medical updates and pitch side extraction where appropriate
• Maintain regular communication with injured players’ stakeholder groups (parents, schools, clubs, international age group teams etc) and work in collaboration with other staff to ensure players follow a single rehabilitation plan, visiting off site where appropriate and develop strong working relationships across the network
• Provide additional support to all England Academy Players in line with their individual development plans in the form of additional off-site injury rehabilitation, recovery and robustness provision
• Oversee the medical provision within the U14-U16 Developing Player Programme, including managing the minimum standards of care and the education of players, coaches and parents on recovery, injury management and injury prevention
• Provide medical support to the ACE Scheme at Gosforth Academy, holding bi-weekly injury clinics and providing pitch side cover at matches in conjunction with other staff
• Take a pro-active approach to player welfare, liaising with an inter-disciplinary team (including psychologists, nutritionists and S+C coaches) to consider injury risk reduction, concussion management, cardiac screening, mental well-being and lifestyle choices
• Manage and maintain up-to-date medical and screening records for all Junior Academy players in accordance with HCPC standards
• Provide an end of season medical review to Academy coaching staff, engage in injury surveillance projects and take an active role in the departmental CPD programme

Essential Requirements:

• BSc (Hons) degree in Physiotherapy or Sport Rehabilitation
• Experience working in a sporting environment, preferably rugby
• Organised, enthusiastic, resilient and with excellent communication skills
• HCPC and CSP registration
• Full UK Driving Licence and access to own car
• Enhanced DBS Clearance

Desired Requirements:

• Current RFU Level 3 PHICIS Qualification
• UK Anti-doping Clean Sport Advisor

Key Performance Indicators:

• Effectiveness of clinical interventions provided to academy players
• Up-to-date record keeping and monitoring of each player over time on rugby squad
• Development of sustainable practices across the academy
• Adherence to all RFU / PRL regulations to maintain the academy licence
• Feedback from players / stakeholders on the quality of service provided

Salary: 

Between £24,000 – £27,000 per annum, based on experience.

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV and a covering letter to Cheryl.Abdul@newcastle-falcons.co.uk

Closing Date: 2^nd June 2024

Interview Date: in the week commencing 10^th June 2024