Athletics Northern Ireland is seeking to recruit a Performance Therapist

Role

Performance Therapist

Reporting to

Athletics NI Athlete Development Lead

Dates Active in Role

10th April -23rd April 2017

Location of Work

24 Youth Academy Athletes (15-21 years) and 6 Coaches will reside at Alfamar Sports Resort in Portugal during this Training Camp.  Other training bases including but not limited to Vilamoura and Montegordo may be used.  The main site for Performance Therapy will be Alfamar.

Personal Specification

Essential Qualifications

Recognised Physiotherapy, Physical Therapy or Massage/Soft Tissue Therapist Qualification

Essential Experience

Current practitioner with a minimum of 3 years experience working in the UK or Ireland.

Experience treating athletes aged 15-21 years old.

Previous experience providing therapy to athletes to enhance performance and recovery in a competition or training environment.

Desirable Personal Attributes

•         Proven team player
•         Driving licence and willingness to drive in Portugal
•         Excellent communication skills
•         Committed, dynamic and productive
•         Excellent organisational skills
•         Excellent management and people skills
•         Demonstration of leadership skills

Key Responsibilities

To provide  high quality performance therapy services to athletes in conjunction with the appointed track and field coaches. This may include trackside intervention, massage, taping, compression  etc.

Should the successful applicant be a physiotherapist they will be responsible for assessment and diagnosis of injury.  A physical therapist/soft tissue therapist would be responsible for referral of injured athletes  to physiotherapist or doctor for assessment, diagnosis and treatment.

To ensure a high standard of health promotion and preventative

care in conjunction with other support staff and coaches including the provision of advice on the prevention of illness and injury and compliance with anti-doping recommendations.  Athletes and support staff will attend a ‘Clean Athletics’ anti-doping workshop prior to departure on 18th March 2017.

To provide accessible support services to all Youth Academy

Athletes in the Alfamar Sports Resort and at training venues and all other locations deemed appropriate to meet the requirements of the role.

To liaise with other medical personnel, coaches or support personnel as required to ensure the highest standard of care for athletes in order to optimise performance.

To implement a system of record keeping for the wider athlete support team and to keep these records confidential and secure.

To provide reports relating to athlete performance therapy to the to Athlete Development Lead as required.

Special Requirements

Enhanced Access NI Check

Portable Treatment Table (the successful candidate will provide their own treatment table with the cost for airline carriage covered by Athletics NI.)

Tape, massage oil etc  (the therapist will provide their own consumables and the cost of these these will be reclaimed from Athletics NI after the trip.)

Written evidence of Professional Liability Insurance that provides full coverage whilst practicing in Portugal must be made available to Athletics NI by the successful applicant.

Knowledge of and adherence to WADA and UKAD documentation and policies (this includes willingness to attend a ‘Clean Athletics’ Workshop on 18th March, 2017.)

Hours of Work

Working hours will be as required to fulfil the role and its significant fluctuating demands during the training camp. The post-holder will be required to acknowledge this and work in a flexible manner to accommodate all requests where appropriate.

It is expected that direct athlete support will be provided on 11 days between the 10th-23rd April.

Relationships and Interfaces

Reports directly to the Athlete Development Lead.