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Lead Therapist and Clinical Manager
Bristol Bears
Bristol Bears are a professional rugby union club based in Bristol, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby
Job Posted- 15 Jul 2026
Status- Full Time
Location- England
Closing date- 27 Jul 2026
ABOUT BRISTOL BEARS
Bristol Bears Rugby is part of Stephen Lansdown’s sporting group of companies which includes Bristol Sport, Bristol City Football, Bristol Flyers Basketball and each of their respective community charities. Our vision is ‘to inspire our community through rugby success’. Our supporters regularly attend Shaftesbury Park to watch our Women’s team perform in the PWR league, the highest level of domestic competition.
ROLE SUMMARY
An exciting opportunity to join our experienced sports medicine team! We are looking to recruit a Lead Therapist & Clinical Manager for Bears Women, with a proven track record of providing medical support to elite athletes.
The right candidate will be able to immediately add value to our forward thinking and dynamic Performance department, have a strong commitment to professional development and be confident providing performance therapy services to a squad of elite rugby players.
PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES
LEAD THERAPIST
- To lead a multidisciplinary therapy team in the provision of high quality elite medical care for the Bristol Bears Women Team.
- To assess, diagnose and treat players musculoskeletal injuries through excellent clinical reasoning, skill use, teamwork and individual directed learning where necessary.
- To provide on-pitch and pitch side medical cover (Advanced Trauma/ First Aid) for all training sessions carried out by the Bears Women squad.
- Work closely with the Athletic Performance team in the provision and application of rehabilitation programmes for injured players, ensuring efficient return to play.
- To ensure all medical notes are completed on the designated RFU system in line with the Core Standards of Physiotherapy Practice under CSP guidelines.
- To complete pre-contract medical assessments as required, working closely with the Doctor
- To provide close communications with designated National Teams to ensure effective player hand-over between club and country.
CLINICAL MANAGER
- Undertake the role of Clinical Governance Lead as outlined in the PWR Minimum Operating Standards (MOS)
- To lead and oversee the annual medical MOS audit as directed by the PWR to ensure compliance
- Take responsibility for the management of key Women’s team medical budgets, working closely with the Head of Medical and Head of Finance
- Ensure at least one member of the coaching/management team undertake an appropriate first aid course recognised by the RFU
- To take responsibility for the continued personal and professional development of Women’s medical team
- Organising scans, consultations and surgeries as required to ensure expediated care where appropriate
- To contribute positively to the Bears vision and culture
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Head of Medical Services
Women’s Head Coach
Women’s Coaching Team
Women’s Team General Manager
Women’s Athletic Performance Staff
Wider Medical Team
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- 5 years post graduate experience in Physiotherapy, Sports Therapy or Sports Rehabilitation
- Member of CSP, HCPC / BASRAT / SST – professional indemnity to work with elite athletes
- Relevant experience successfully working with a team of physiotherapists or similar in a sports or performance environment, and working to support and promote their professional development
- Experience of high-performance rugby, or comparable full time sport experience
- Strong manual therapy and rehabilitation skills with excellent clinical reasoning
- Valid PHICIS level 3 (or similar advance trauma first aid) qualification
DESIRABLE SKILLS
- Post graduate diploma or MSc in Sports Physiotherapy, Sports Medicine or equivalent.
- Experience leading an elite sports medicine team
HEALTH AND SAFETY
- Responsible for ensuring all health and safety procedures are followed at all times, with relevant documentation to support
- To ensure all employees complete the training required to do their job
- Report all incidents, accidents and hazards as required
- To complete and review the risk assessments for their department.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
We are committed to the principle of equal opportunity and its policies for recruitment, selection, training, development and promotion are designed to ensure that no employee or potential employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, ethnic and national origin, disability or gender reassignment.
SAFEGUARDING
Bristol Rugby Club Limited is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. This role would be offered subject to an enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
How to Apply
Please click APPLY NOW to begin the application process.