AFC Fylde is a professional Football Club based on the Fylde Coast, now recruiting for a Head of Medical to join the team at Mill Farm.

Recently Champions of the National League North, this season sees them back in the National League and continuing their campaign to be in the English Football League. 

Role Summary 

The HoM will be a qualified Physiotherapist/Sports Therapist and will be responsible for leading the clubs’ Medical Department in the development, organisation, coordination and implementation of all medical-related matters to first-team players and department staff.

This post is expected to optimise player availability and enhance the medical support of AFC Fylde first-team players through the provision of football’s best scientific and medical practice.

The successful candidate will oversee and support all Medical departments, including both the Academy and Women’s teams. The HoM is expected to have excellent leadership qualities to drive professional standards and ensure the job fulfilment of the department staff.

Core Duties

Injury Prevention Strategies

· Complete an annual injury audit (now using Benchmark 54). This should include but not be limited to playing availability, injuries per 1,000 hours, injuries by type, injuries by region and injuries by month.

· Implement injury prevention strategies, based on the results of the most common time loss injuries as identified by the injury audit above.

· Plan and deliver annual screening and physical testing for first-team players (CMJ, yo-yo, Y balance).

· Ensure players with significant previous injury history receive an ongoing management plan to prevent recurrence wherever possible.

· Play an active role in the load management of the players, liaising with coaching staff and sports science staff where applicable.

Injury Management

· The accurate diagnosis and prognosis of injured players.

· Formulate and manage a clear and comprehensive rehabilitation plan with clear objective markers for progressions and return to training/play for injured players.

· Provide clear daily updates for FTHC/AC and Sport Science department

· Provide the chairman and vice chairman, along with DoF, with weekly updates and reports on the status of injured players.

· Once authorised, complete a referral, and organise investigations and specialist appointments for injured players. Attend specialist appointments with the player, wherever necessary and within budget constraints, and seek authorisation through the DOF and or Vice Chairman (If not available) for intervention and extended assessment and possible external treatment.

· Attend all appointments with the player where possible and assign relevant staff to attend on your behalf if you can’t make the appointment

· Provide players with a daily rehabilitation schedule that is printed daily and uploaded to the player’s notes on Benchmark 54.

· Provide injured players with the highest standard of treatment and rehabilitation sessions, including but not limited to manual therapy, gym-based rehabilitation, and pitch-based rehabilitation.

· Deliver pitch-based rehabilitation that is designed around the player’s status, physical and technical requirements for their position.

· Complete accurate and up-to-date notes using Benchmark 54 online notes system within 24 hours.

· Liaise with the Club Doctor with new or ongoing injuries and illnesses.

Daily Management of Fit Players

· Daily maintenance treatment for fit players.

· Daily strappings for appropriate players.

· Develop and implement optimal recovery strategies for fit players.

· Oversee the soft tissue provision for all first-team players.

· Operating a strict disciplinary code within the club’s Medical Room

· Ensure daily wellbeing surveys are monitored correctly by the first team sports therapist.

· Ensure there is pitch-side first aid present for all first-team training sessions with an appropriate medical kit available pitch side.

· The efficient organisation and running of the club’s medical treatment room and equipment.

Matchday Duties

· Provide pitch-side first aid cover for all first-team games both home and away

· Pack the medical kit and ensure it is placed with the kitman for away games.

· Check the medical trauma equipment is present and working on matchday

· Prepare the medical room for home first-team games

· Deliver emergency action plan (EAP) meeting with the opposition medical staff, club doctor and all key stakeholders on matchday.

· Ensure there is an EAP present for both training and matchday.

· Complete debrief and reflection session following any major matchday incidents.

· Compliance with all Health & Safety legislation.

Please see the Head of Medical Role Profile attached here.

Applications are to be sent with a cover letter to phil.humphreys@afcfylde.co.uk