Job Description
Title: Junior First Team Physiotherapist
Location: Wycombe Wanderers Football Club, High Wycombe
Department: Medical & Performance
Reports to: Head of Medical
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time (including matchday, evening, weekend and bank holiday working)
Salary: £30,000-35,000 per annum, with employee benefits
Role Overview
Wycombe Wanderers FC are looking for a dedicated and proactive Junior Physiotherapist to join our growing, forward-thinking medical department within the first team. This is a demanding job role in a fast-paced environment within the professional sports industry. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting in the delivery of high-quality physiotherapy services to our first team players, focusing on injury risk mitigation, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation to optimise player performance and availability.
Key Responsibilities
Diagnostics and Assessment Skills
- Conduct thorough assessments with sound clinical reasoning
- Demonstrate an appreciation towards profiling athletes
- Monitor progress and adjust treatments to ensure effective and efficient programming for both injured and non-injured players
Rehabilitation and Injury Risk Mitigation
- Develop and implement individualised, logical, and evidence-based rehabilitation programs using key objective markers under the guidance of senior physiotherapists
- Support the reintegration of players into training and match play through graduated rehabilitation protocols
- Contribute to the design and implementation of injury risk mitigation programs
- Provide effective treatment for acute and chronic injuries, including manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and use of modalities such as shockwave and electrotherapy
- Assist in the education of players on best practices for injury prevention, recovery strategies, and overall health maintenance
Trauma and Medical Emergencies
- Provide pitch-side assistance during training sessions and matches, delivering immediate care for minor injuries and medical emergencies, as required
- Manage and prepare medical equipment and supplies for training sessions and match days
- Support in the provision of match day preparations for both home and away matches, as required by the Head of Medical
- Travel to away matches to assist with medical and therapy provisions, as required by the Head of Medical
Collaboration and Communication
- Work closely with senior physiotherapists, the club doctor, sports scientists, S&C coaches, and technical staff to ensure a holistic approach to player health and performance
- Maintain clear and effective communication with players, providing support and guidance on injury management and rehabilitation
- Travel to, and attend, appointments with players to see specialists within our network of medical professionals, as required
- Contribute to regular meetings and reviews, providing insights and updates on player health and injury status
- Support in the provision of education for players and staff on health maintenance and performance optimisation, where appropriate
- Assist with administrative tasks within the medical department, such as scheduling or attending appointments, managing medical supplies, and preparing reports
Data Management
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date medical records for all players, including injury reports, treatment notes, and rehabilitation progress
- Assist in the collection and analysis of performance data to subsequently inform key decisions around individualised player management and program design
Professional Development and Research
- Foster a culture of learning and knowledge sharing within the department
- Annual CPD budget to aid ongoing professional development, separate to any learner agreements
- Stay current with the latest research and advancements in sports physiotherapy and incorporate evidence-based practices into treatment and rehabilitation programs
Mentorship and Support
- Support interns and students, providing guidance and assistance as needed
- Foster a positive and collaborative working environment within the medical team
Key Competencies
- At least 1 year of graduate experience working as an MSK physiotherapist
- Pitch-side first-aid experience
- Ability to demonstrate logical and evidence-based clinical reasoning skills
- Strong knowledge of musculoskeletal injuries, rehabilitation techniques, and injury prevention strategies
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
- High level of professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical conduct
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Competent IT Skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays, to support training sessions and matches
- Ability to work calmly under pressure
- Ability to work unsupervised
- Self-motivated, open-minded, with an excellent work ethic