Senior Performance Physiotherapist AFL

Senior Performance Physiotherapist

Position Purpose

To lead the AFL physiotherapy team in the provision of elite injury risk reduction and injury management programmes for professional footballers to maximise player availability, physical health and be physically capable of playing the GIANTS game plan.

Reports to:

Head of Athletic Performance

Direct reports:

Physiotherapists

Other key relationships

Internal:

Chief Medical Officer and other medical staff Physiotherapists Physical Performance Manager Podiatrists Dietitian Strength and power coaches Coaches

Key areas:

1. Lead the risk screening process of the AFL and work within the interdisciplinary team to manage and maximise player availability.

2. Within an interdisciplinary framework, provide expert physical therapy services in the planning, coordination and implementation of the rehabilitation management of injured players.

3. Lead and mentor a team of physiotherapists, sports trainers and external providers in the provision of a world-class injury management programme

4. Drive the clinical governance and audit strategy, ensuring all legal and service development obligations are met

6. Appraise, develop and capacity build junior colleagues at the AFL to ensure continued learning and progression in keeping with AFL values

The position responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Leading the physiotherapy service at the AFL, responsible for the injury risk identification, risk management and active treatment including rehabilitation.

2. Effective and efficient caseload management

3. System and process quality assurance, enabling best practice and optimised decision making with respect to injury diagnosis, management and return to play.

4. Communicating within the APU and with the coaching group regarding player health status

5. Ensuring all clinical documentation is comprehensive and contemporaneous

6. Continual service appraisal and development

7. Provision of outstanding pitch-side medical services at all matches and training sessions

8. Modelling AFL standards regarding continual improvement, accountability and selfless actions

9. Liaising with internal and external service providers to ensure an optimised, efficient and effective medical programme is delivered to the players

10. Assist in the development and implementation of practices that promote an optimised, fair, consistent and safe working environment

11. Supervision of the clinical training of students as required

12. Active participation in the AFL’s personal and professional development programme

13. Co-ordinate weekly and end-of-season illness and injury reports as a means of communication and identification of areas in which the service can improve

14. Assist in the construction and delivery of programmes for players to complete when away from the AFL

15. Assist in the screening of new and potential players to the AFL to enable management and recruitment decisions to be made with the best available information

Qualifications and Registrations

Degree in physiotherapy Postgraduate qualifications in physiotherapy or sports medicine equivalent Current registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency Evidence of a carefully curated CPD portfolio showcasing a range of different clinical skills

Experience and skills

8+ years’ experience in elite field-based sports with strong understanding of the sport of Australian Rules

Football

Strong manual therapist with demonstrated excellence in the provision of clinical and on-field diagnostics

and rehabilitation

Elite decision maker and problem solver regarding player health on match day

Outstanding understanding of the principles of human performance and how sports medicine fits into

this paradigm

Excellent research skills allowing best practice management to be continually assessed and implemented

Strong interpersonal, teamwork and leadership skills

Ability to exude confidence and calmness in high pressure environments

Strong advocate for long-term player health and safety