Academy Physiotherapist

Job Title Academy Physiotherapist
Department Medical
Direct Reports None
Reports to Academy Doctor / First Team Lead Physiotherapist
Location Cobdown Park, Station Road, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 6AU
Working Pattern 40 hours per week including evenings and weekends
Salary Dependant on experience 
Level of DBS Enhanced Child and Adult Barred List

About Us: 

London City Lionesses are part of the Kynisca group, setting a vision and building an infrastructure in which all the players and staff can thrive. 

Owned by Michele Kang, our vision for Kynisca is to:  

1.       Become the most pre-eminent sports organisation in the world; 

2.       Have a high-performance culture of winning on and off the pitch; 

3.       Train women as women; and 

4.       Motivate and inspire the next generation of girls and women.

Our Values:

We Lead The Way | We Dream Big | We Get it Done | We Innovate | We Inspire our Community 

Role Purpose:

London City Lionesses Academy comprises five teams with over 100 players aged between 10 and 19 years, including U21 and U16 teams who make up our Professional Game Academy (PGA). In line with the club’s visions, the academy medical department is looking to recruit a dedicated physiotherapist to provide industry-leading care for these young players.

The Academy Physiotherapist will work directly with the Academy Doctor and sports therapists, collaborating with the wider Academy Medical and Performance teams to optimise player availability and safeguard player health. The successful candidate will support key medical objectives, including monitoring and profiling, and injury management and prevention, including return-to-play. The Academy Physiotherapist will contribute to multi-disciplinary team (MDT) discussions and support in the coordination of effective teamwork and collaboration.  There will be opportunities to attend first team CPD sessions and support the first team physiotherapy team on an ad hoc basis where scheduling and resources allow.

The ideal candidate must demonstrate a broad understanding of sports medicine, science and performance (particularly in the female athlete and adolescents), and understand the qualities necessary to contribute to, and develop within, a high-performance environment. It is expected that the successful candidate can demonstrate sufficient levels of knowledge concerning sports injury management and prevention so that they may practice safely, and effectively, without direct supervision. We are looking for a candidate who can provide evidence of the delivery of high standards of clinical care in previous roles; of excellent communication and interpersonal skills, whilst providing a consistent record of professionalism in the workplace.

Main Duties/ Responsibilities
1. Player Care and Injury Management

·       Work closely with the academy doctor and provide direct support with the acute management, treatment, and rehabilitation of player injuries, with primary focus on the U21 age group.

·       In collaboration with the academy doctor and sports therapists create and manage individual rehabilitation plans for assigned players.

·       Collaborate with the MDT to support with the design and implementation of injury prevention strategies for all players. 

·       Support with pre-season and mid-season medical screenings, highlighting areas of risk to the medical and performance team.

2. Collaboration with Key Stakeholders

·       To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team including physiotherapists, physical performance coaches, player care, analysts and coaching staff to optimise and maintain players physical performance.

·       As required supervision of the academy sports therapists’ injury assessment and rehabilitation.

·       Communicate effectively with the medical, performance and technical staff, keeping them informed of player availability for matches and training.

3. Data and Innovation

·        Stay updated on advancements in sports medicine and implement cutting-edge practices as supported by the first team medical team. 

·        Ensure accurate record-keeping and documentation of all medical encounters.

·        Using current and future monitoring systems, detect changes in player risk profiles for all players as supported by the first team medical team.

4. Emergency and Match Day Support

·        Be present at U21 training sessions and matches, both home and away, to provide immediate medical support when necessary.

·        Ensure up to date knowledge and execution of emergency action plans and department procedure documents.

5. Other ad-hoc duties as assigned from time-to-time by management

Club Accountabilities
1. To comply with all Club policies, procedures and practices and carry out your role diligently and in the best interests of the Club
2. To lead with a proactive, high-performance mindset and actively contribute to a winning culture on and off the pitch
3. To behave in a manner consistent with Club values and policies
4. To ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements.
5. To keep confidential any information gained regarding the Club and its personnel.

What we are looking for
Qualifications and Training
Any specific qualifications or technical requirements listed here will be mandated by league and/or governing body rules

Essential

·       BSc (Hons) Physiotherapist degree or equivalent

·       Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapist (CSP) for a minimum of 3 years.

·       Active registration with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)

·       Appropriate medical indemnity to treat/advise Professional Game Academy players

Desirable

·       Achieved, or working towards postgraduate qualification (at a minimum of Diploma level or equivalent) in any of the following: Manual Therapy, Sport & Exercise Medicine, Sports Physiotherapy, Sports Rehabilitation

·       Up to date FA Emergency First Aid Qualification (ITMMiF or ATMMiF)

·       UKAD Clean Sport Advisor

·       Member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapist in Sports Medicine, working towards the bronze level or above

·       Accredited acupuncturist with the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP), with evidence of regular, safe practice

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential

·        Experience working within a professional sporting environment, preferably with female athletes. 

·        Experienced in the provision of Physiotherapy within an elite sporting environment?

·        Experienced in the delivery of multi-modal treatment strategies as part of injury management 

·        Experience of multidisciplinary team working

·        Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with clinical and non-clinical staff members

·        Works within the limitations of own scope of practice and recognises when to seek help

·        Committed to reflective practice and professional development

·        Exceptional hands-on skills

Desirable

·       Experience of working in women’s football at WSL/ WSL2 level

Characteristics
·        Passionate about women’s football and broader women’s sport culture.

·        Entrepreneurial spirit and ability to deal with matrix stakeholders & ambiguity.

·        High standards of personal integrity and EQ.

·        Comfortable and able to work on own initiative

·        Has a learning mindset; is keen to continue their self-development and keep up to date with best practice and learning opportunities

·        Continually seeks to improve efficiency and performance

·        Seeks out and embraces new ways of thinking and working – not afraid to fail.

London City Lionesses is committed to safeguarding, health and safety, and equality, diversity, and inclusion. We prioritise the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, the well-being of all staff and visitors, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported. These responsibilities are shared by all staff and volunteers, with safeguarding, safety, and inclusivity being collective priorities.

All staff are required to adhere to the Club’s policies, complete relevant training, and actively contribute to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment. This includes timely reporting of concerns, compliance with health and safety regulations, and upholding the Club’s zero-tolerance approach to discrimination.

For certain roles, additional checks, such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks or health assessments, may be required. Applications must include a fully completed application form; CVs alone will not be accepted. All candidates will be assessed on merit and their alignment with the Club’s values.