Darlington Football Club are looking to recruit a part-time Physiotherapist or Sports Therapist to provide and coordinate medical services for all the first team and academy players within an interdisciplinary approach.

This position will be on a self-employed basis, and the successful candidate will be paid on a sessional basis, at a competitive rate. For overnight stays, accommodation will be provided by the club. The club would also consider part-funding the completion of the relevant pitch-side qualification for the right candidate.

The successful candidate will work alongside the Head Physiotherapist and First Team Sports Scientist to develop and deliver injury prevention strategies, S&C programmes and deliver rehab to injured players. They will also help to maximise player performance, enhance recovery and reduce injury risk within the first team.

Key Roles & Responsibilities:

• Provide medical care for all Darlington first team players including providing pitch side cover for all Darlington first team Home and Away fixtures including overnight journeys where necessary.
• Communicate relevant information regarding injury status, functional limitations, estimated rehabilitation timescales and availability to authorised staff, while maintaining player confidentiality, obtaining appropriate consent and complying with data-protection requirements.
• Develop, implement and progress evidence-informed rehabilitation and injury-risk-reduction programmes in collaboration with the Head Physiotherapist and First-Team Sports Scientist.
• Responsible for the transportation and storage of essential medical equipment for training and match days.
• Responsible for the ordering and maintaining stock levels of medical supplies.
• Responsible for updating the Club’s Emergency Action Plan at Blackwell Meadows and the Training Ground at Eastbourne Sports Complex.
• To provide the appropriate examination, assessment and treatment of First Team Players when required, including the referral (where necessary) to internal and external medical professionals.
• Maintain clear, accurate, contemporaneous and confidential clinical records of all assessments, treatments, rehabilitation sessions, referrals, consent discussions and player-status decisions, using the club’s agreed medical-record system.
• Conduct and document appropriate rehabilitation monitoring and return-to-training/return-to-play testing, contributing to multidisciplinary decisions regarding player availability.
• Advise on the availability of first-team players with respect to their readiness to train/play.
• Recognise, assess and manage suspected concussion in accordance with current FA and club protocols, including appropriate removal from play, referral and graduated return-to-play procedures.
• Act as an appropriately qualified member of the match-day emergency medical team and fulfil the responsibilities allocated within the club’s Emergency Action Plan.
• Liaise with the Club Doctors as and when necessary.
• To adhere to National League Rules and Regulations and ensure protocols are followed at all times.
• Darlington Football Club is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including references, verification of qualifications and professional registration, and an enhanced FA DBS check where required. Completion of relevant FA safeguarding training will also be required.

Essential Criteria:

• BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy or BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation and appropriate registration (HCPC, CSP, BaSRAT etc.)
• Hold or be willing to complete a minimum pitch side 1st aid qualification of the FA Level 4 Intermediate Trauma Medical Management in Football (ITMMIF) or equivalent.
• A valid full UK Driver’s License

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience in men’s senior football.
• Experience in semi-professional or professional sport.
• Experience managing acute pitch-side injuries.
• Previous use of electronic medical-record systems.
• Experience designing gym-based and pitch-based rehabilitation.
• Understanding of football loading demands and injury-risk-reduction principles.
• Experience conducting objective return-to-play testing.
• Sports massage or soft-tissue skills, where genuinely relevant.
• Postgraduate study or CPD in sports physiotherapy, strength and conditioning or rehabilitation.
• ITMMiF already held and in date.
• The ability to work calmly under pressure.
• The ability to work effectively and safely, whilst working both independent and as part of a team
• To always adhere to confidentiality and data protection procedures.

Desirable Personal Qualities:

• Flexible & adaptable to the requirements of the job
• A genuine team player
• Excellent levels of communication, and demonstrate professional integrity, openness and a willingness to escalate concerns or errors promptly.
• Takes responsibility for ensuring tasks are completed to a high standard
• Excellent timekeeping skills
• Proactive, dependable and committed to delivering high standards of player care.

Location: Blackwell Meadows (Home Games) and Eastbourne Sports Complex (Training), plus away games nationally, flexibility required. Training is usually Tuesday & Thursday evenings, approximately 6-9pm. Match days are typically every Saturday, 3pm kick-off, with additional midweek fixtures typically taking place Tuesday evenings.

The jobholder will report to the Head Physiotherapist and First Team Manager.

If you are interested in this paid role, then please apply, with your CV, to ray.simpson@darlingtonfc.org as soon as possible