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