JOB TITLE: Head of Rehabilitation
DEPARTMENT: Sale Sharks Rugby
REPORTING INTO: Head of Medical Services
HOURS OF WORK: Full time, including some evening and weekend working
BASED: On-site at Carrington training ground
SALARY: £DOE
WHO WE ARE:
We are Sale Sharks: A team. A community. A family, woven together by the Fabric of the North.
Born in Manchester and proud of our roots, Sale Sharks is the only Premiership Rugby Union team in the North-West, playing top-flight rugby in the Gallagher Premiership and European Champions Cup, with an emerging Women’s team competing in Premiership Women’s Rugby.
With Northern charm in our blood and Shark pride in our hearts, our mission is to be the most impactful rugby club on the planet, on and off the pitch.
Inclusive and caring in everything we do. We’re not afraid to take risks, trying something new in search of better and facing up to the toughest with courage and pride. We use our position as the best team in the North to make a real difference, whether that’s through grassroots sports or community initiatives.
We play with integrity on and off the pitch and we are seeking someone who shares our values of Togetherness, Fearlessness, Passion, Pride and Humility.
THE OPPORTUNITY:
This is a rare opportunity for a highly skilled professional from an elite sporting background to lead on the rehabilitation of our injured Sale Sharks players. The role is crucial in managing the pathway of the return to play process. This will be a hands-on role operating at the forefront of the Club as part of a multi-disciplinary team and driving both development and performance outcomes. The successful applicant will have proven experience in building trusted relationship and communicating with and motivating elite athletes in a winning team.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Thorough planning and management of acute injury; imaging; specialist review; wound healing; restoring range; restoring strength through range and ensuring key exit markers are met before progression.
• Managing the return to run and return to train process for our player and ensuring this is done with thorough preparation breaking down upright mechanics and acceleration/deceleration mechanics.
• Working closely with S&C and coaches for return to performance markers and managing the early return to play programming to ensure players return.
• Be able to build a rehabilitation ‘culture’ based on hard work and accountability.
• Make the rehabilitation process challenging and thorough BUT ultimately rewarding to the player and the team as you return a player to new peaks.
• Understand a players motivations and be able to mould the injury process to build on their strengths but challenge their physical and mental weaknesses.
• Have a thirst for new approaches and make all of your work evidence based.
• Be able to control, challenge and push groups of senior injured players.
• Confident and highly proficient in the thorough management of the medium and long- term injured players.
• Develop a database/spreadsheet to show objective markers against previous scores, contralateral limb scores and against position specific requirements. These must be made available daily for senior performance staff to check.
• Ensure all assessments follow a thorough orthopaedic assessment, neuro-kinetic assessment, understanding of previous linked injuries, an understanding of the mechanics of the injury, a clear working differential diagnosis coupled with a logical hypothesis of why this injury was sustained.
• Educate and upskill more junior members of the team on the above processes.
• Plan all injured players weekly schedules and use other staff, interns & students to ensure optimum coverage.
• Prioritise your time to players that are key 1st XV players / close to returning.
• Record keeping and administrative duties to help the smooth running of the medical services department.
• Educate players/coaches of individual RTT/RTP Schedules.
• Close working relationship with S&C to help plan exercise prescription and execution for individuals/groups.
• Training and match day advanced trauma care provision only when needed.
KEY MATCHDAY AND POST-MATCH TASKS:
• Attendance to home 1st XV matches (as per rota) & assist in preparation of medical kit.
• On pitch assessment and pitch side treatment.
• Post-match assessment, advice and treatment. Recording of all injuries, treatments and progressions.
• Accurate diagnosis of injuries and symptoms with a clear approach to treating the cause/s.
• Strong communication skills with players, coaches and head of medical services post-game.
• To update the Injured player schedule overview and send to Head of Medical on Saturday (for the following week).
ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
• Physiotherapy qualification (BSc or MSc pre-reg)
• 5 years plus of experience in elite sport
• Valid registration with HCPC & CSP
• PHICIS Level 3 or equivalent
• Comprehensive CPD portfolio showing commitment to elite sports rehabilitation
• Growth Mindset with positive and optimistic attitude
• Very strong communication skills
Please note, applicants must be willing to work unsociable hours to include bank holidays, early mornings, evenings and weekends if required.
DESIRABLE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
• Experience of leading a multi-disciplinary team within an elite sport environment
• High level of knowledge around the physical, psychological and technical demands associated with Rugby
BENEFITS:
• Access to on-site gym
• Subsidised meals during season
• Free parking on site
• Free match tickets to all Sale Sharks home fixtures
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please send CV and covering letter to Jenny.outhwaite@salesharks.com by 25th November.
We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to having an inclusive culture that respects diversity and equity. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.
