Role description

Job purpose: To provide Physiotherapy/Sports Therapy Cover within the MK Dons Academy

Role Competencies:
Planning Timescales: To ensure the Academy Emergency Action Plans are understood and upheld throughout the season in conjunction with medical colleagues. To carry out pitch side first aid during Academy matches and training sessions, ensuring all protocols and procedures are met in the event of injury. To support the prescription rehabilitation programmes for elite young professional footballers. To support the planning, delivery and review of evidence-base preparation and injury prevention strategies, to prepare players for training/matches and reduce injury risk within qualification remit, in collaboration with sports science and medicine colleagues. To support the delivery and review of individualised recovery strategies to minimise injury and maximise recovery and player availability, in collaboration with sports science and medicine colleagues.  To support the collection of performance and medical testing data throughout the season.
Decision Making: To handover on injury status, return to play decisions and where necessary, injury prevention strategies to players, parents and Academy staff. Ensure that physiotherapy/sports therapy and pitch side first aid is delivered in accordance with the Elite Player Performance Plan and Club and Governing Body requirements.
Impact Influence: To actively contribute to the creation of a high-performance environment by ensuring all duties are completed with pride, consistency and to the best of your ability.   To advise Academy players, parents and staff on a variety of issues in relation to injuries, rehabilitation and injury prevention, and any other areas related to your discipline.  Maintain high standards of professionalism while acting as an ambassador for the Academy and Sports Science and Medicine Department and Milton Keynes Dons Football Club. 
Skill Level: Possess excellent organisational, logistical and time management skills with ability to meet stringent deadlines.  Possess the ability to work within the scope of your practice while recognising the need to refer for further assistance or input from Sports Science and Medicine Staff.  IT Skills allowing collection and analysis of screening data via Microsoft Office applications and various medical software tools.

Communication: To liaise professionally and effectively with the Academy medical and coaching staff to provide clear reports on all injuries, outcome measures and treatment plans. Excellent communication skills with an ability to liaise with players, parents, coaches, management, medical staff and any such individuals in a personable and professional manner.  
Budget Management: Understand budget responsibility within remit of role
Lead Develop: Remain up to date with advances in the fields of Sports Science and Medicine through regular CPD activities including, contributing to Departmental Continual Professional Development and attending any courses required by the Premier League, English Football League and Football Association. Maintain all legal and professional qualifications and a comprehensive knowledge of relevant policies, procedures and regulations as required by the Club, FA, EFL, PL and any other appropriate bodies.
Operating Parameters: To provide pitch side first aid cover at Academy matches and training sessions, To provide Physiotherapy/Sports Therapy including assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, to Academy players. To support the development, implementation and evaluation of rehabilitation programmes for elite young professional footballers. Ensure the medical and therapy equipment is maintained appropriately. Maintain appropriate medical and therapy records in keeping with Club, FA, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Heath and Care Professions Council/Society of Sports Therapists/British Association of Sports Rehabilitators and Trainers requirements. Assist with any other reasonable duties as directed by management staff.
Essential Desirable Job Criteria:Essential: BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy / Sports Therapy or equivalent Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Health and Care Professions Council registered or Member of the Society of Sports Therapists/British Association of Sports Rehabilitators and Trainers FA Pitchside first aid qualification- minimum EFAiF or equivalent Ability to demonstrate experience of Physiotherapy/Sports Therapy delivery in a team sport environment. Sound clinical assessment and treatment skills Knowledge and understanding of policies, procedures and regulations relating to your role. An ability to work in a high-performance environment with a flexible approach, to dedicate time to the programme as the schedule determines. A strong ‘can do attitude. The ability to adapt to different, changing and challenging situations. Possess the drive and enthusiasm to set high standards and lead by example while achieving agreed objectives. High self-motivation The ability to work independently under you own initiative and as part of an extensive highperformance team. Honest and trustworthy with a high level of confidentiality and exceptional personal integrity.Desirable: ITMMiF/ATMMiF certificated Working knowledge of PMA Previous experience of physiotherapy/sports therapy delivery to young athletes within the framework of the Elite Player Performance Plan. FA Learning Safeguarding Children Certificate. Full clean driving license