SARACENS MENS SENIOR ACADEMY PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Organisation: Saracens
Salary: Competitive - Dependent on experience
Location: StoneX Stadium & Training Ground
Contract type: Permanent (Part time)
Closing date: 12 May 2025
Interview date: 12 May 2025
Job Description: An exciting opportunity has become available to join the Saracens medical team, working with the Senior Academy players aged 18-23, overseeing the medical provision throughout the entire Academy structure with line management responsibility. The applicant will promote continued enhancement and excellence within the Saracens Academy in order to maximise the progression of athletes through the system into the senior set up.

The applicant should be highly motivated with an energy and desire to develop, improve and drive the high standards expected within the Performance Team, Academy and Club as a whole. This role is based primarily at the training ground in St Albans, but includes work at the stadium in Barnet, with travel required for player appointments, training, games and camps.

This role consists of managing a daily caseload of full time senior academy players, as well as regular ongoing monitoring of those athletes based away from the training ground. You will assess, diagnose, treat, rehab and manage these athletes, clearly communicating decisions regarding their ability to train and play as appropriate.

The successful candidate will be an integral part of a medical team with line management responsibility for the Junior Academy Physiotherapist and Academy Therapists whilst working integrally with the first team physiotherapists, a Sports rehabilitation and medical administrator and a team doctors. They will need to have excellent communication skills to work closely and collaboratively with both the Senior and Academy Performance Teams.

This position is managed by the Academy Manager, but with clinical line management from the Head of Medical Services. There is a strong expectation to maximise personal development planning and learning opportunities. This will require self directed and self driven study, on top of regular in-service training to assist and direct development as well as meet CPD requirements of the team. The role will require an openness to challenging their ways of working to strive for excellence.

Key Responsibilities:
- Working directly with the Senior Academy players, you will be responsible for providing clear communication and handovers regarding medical decisions and players ability to train or play as appropriate
- You will assess, diagnose, treat and refer player injuries as appropriate and deliver best practice sports medicine services
- Provide evidence based assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and prehabilitation programmes for senior academy players
- To lead and manage the physiotherapy provision on the Senior and Junior Academy programme, including management and development of the Junior Academy Therapists with the support and overview of the Head of Medical Services.
- Organise and manage a player caseload effectively and efficiently, adapting the schedule to the requirements of the Academy players and showing ability to delegate and use the team effectively.
- Provide pitch side medical care for Senior + Junior Academy training sessions and camps as required
- Assist with senior matches as directed by the Head of Medical
- Liaise and communicate closely with the Saracens Performance Team and Academy staff in respect to injured players, their availability and rehabilitative plans.
- Maintain professional and RFU minimum standards, confidentiality, continued professional development and record keeping in line with HCPC registration guidelines.
- Ability to work irregular, unsociable and flexible hours including evenings and weekends
- Contribute to the in-service training programme and CPD sessions`
- Any other administrative, medical cover or assistance as required by the Head of Medical and Academy Manager that are within the post holders capabilities.

Key Objectives:
- To ensure delivery, development and rehabilitation of medical and musculoskeletal care relating to Saracens Academy players is operating to the highest level.
- To ensure the Saracens Academy medical cover meets the RFU Minimum Standard requirements at all times
- To communicate on the medical care and injury status of player to key Saracens, International and External stakeholders
- To work collaboratively with the Head of Medical and First Team Physiotherapists regarding medical screening and injury monitoring systems
- Provide matchday physiotherapy and pitchside trauma cover for the Senior Academy and Junior Academy team matches and training days, Senior Games as required.
- To maintain comprehensive medical records on the computerised medical database in accordance with RFU, CSP and HCPC requirements. As well as International handovers as per current minimum standard guidance
Key Relationships
- Junior Academy Therapists + First Team Physiotherapists
- SEM Practitioners & Administrators
- Academy and Senior Performance Staff
- Academy Manager and Academy Coaching Staff
- External Relationships with Loan Club, University + School Medical Teams, Parents, Players as well as Surgeons / Specialists

Personal Attributes:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills are crucial to this role
- Sound clinical reasoning and decision making skills
- Open minded, reflective and flexible thinking required to improve current work practices and contribute to the high performance team
- Passionate to be part of developing of the next generation of Saracens Players
- Desire to contribute positively to the Saracens vision and culture

Essential:
- BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy (or equivalent qualification)
- Minimum of 2 years qualified
- Member of CSP and HCPC Physiotherapy registration
- Ability to undertake PHICIS Pitchside Qualification (or equivalent qualification)
- The successful applicant will be required to complete an enhanced disclosure check
- Experience in professional sport
- Current and valid driving licence

Desirable:
- Experience in working within Elite Rugby Union
- Experience in managing large numbers of athletes

No agencies please
How to apply: Please send applications consisting of a CV and 1-page cover letter as one document, including current remuneration to Sangita Asani at recruitment@saracens.net Application Closing Date: Monday 12th May 2025 – 17.00pm Interviews: These interviews will run in 2 parts - with a remote interview undertaken as soon as is reasonably able to be organised – if successful this will then progress to an in-person interview. In-Person Interview Dates: Over the weeks of 12th and 19th May 2025 Location: Saracens Training Ground, 160 Harpenden Road, St Albans, AL3 6BB Saracens Group positively welcomes and seeks to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment. We encourage applications from all candidates regardless of age, race, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or nationality. Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you have not heard from us by 7 days after the closing date of the role, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.