Nrlw Medical Officer (Team Doctor)

Company Background

The Brisbane Broncos are a professional rugby league football Club. The organisation was founded in 1987, prior to the team’s entry into the competition in 1988, as the first team outside of NSW. The Brisbane Broncos have built an iconic brand in Australian Sport, and are the only publicly listed sporting franchise on the Australian Securities Exchange having grown from a total revenue of $29m in 2011 to a revenue of circa $60m in 2022.

The Club has delivered a lot of success over this time, winning six Premiership titles in the NRL Men’s competition and three Premiership titles in the NRL Women’s competition. Our vision is to become a World Class Sporting Organisation and have one of the largest fan bases in Australian sport. The Broncos are committed to the long-term development of rugby league in Queensland and the delivery of world class community programs focused on making a positive impact on the next generation.

Our Culture

With our Values at our core, we are more than just a Football Club. We emulate Respect, Mateship, Resilience and Compete. Whether it’s playing the game we love or being in our communities, being a Bronco means we are 100% committed to everything we do.

Our goals are simple; Win Premierships; Grow our Brand; and Make a Positive Impact.

The Brisbane Broncos have a responsibility to our community to uphold the strong Queensland spirit. We pride ourselves on connecting with our members, fans, partners, and all other stakeholders to deliver results aligned with our vision to be a World Class Sporting Organisation.

We offer an excellent working culture which ignites performance, inclusiveness, and joy, both on and off the field, providing a rewarding and dynamic workplace in a world class facility.

Role Purpose & Responsibilities

Reporting to the Club Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the responsibility of the NRLW Medical Officer is to safeguard the health and safety of NRLW players in a physically demanding performance environment. The responsibility of the NRLW Medical Officer extends to all NRLW players contracted to the Club.

The responsibilities of the NRLW Medical Officer must be discharged in compliance with the NRL Rules and includes:

Injury prevention and management

• Ensure the highest possible medical support is available to NRLW players
• Communicate with the Head Coach and Head of NRLW on injury and illness matters that relate to football performance of a player;
• Develop and monitor injury treatment plans for players;
• Be available during the season to provide injury and illness advice as required, typically one training session per week, game days and attendance at post-match injury clinics;
• Present at start of season to players information regarding concussion management, illness and vaccinations, and drugs in sport;
• Oversee and manage referrals of players for pathology, specialist medicine, surgery and other medical providers external to the club
• Manage concussion according to the NRL Rules and relevant best-practice advice provided or endorsed by the NRL Chief Medical Officer

Anti-doping & Supplements

• Be knowledgeable of and take steps to ensure that all NRLW players and relevant football staff are aware of the NRL’s Anti-Doping Policy and ensure that medical treatments and methods are compliant with that Policy.

Illicit & Hazardous Drugs

• Be knowledgeable of and take steps to ensure that all players and relevant football staff are aware of the NRL’s Testing Policy (Illicit & Hazardous Drugs) (IDP); and
• Assist in the management of the IDP by following the rules of that policy and fully cooperate with the CMO in the administration of that policy.

Administration & Compliance

• Fully document NRLW player injuries and illnesses as required by the club, maintain clinical notes according to AHPRA and legal standards;
• Observe patient confidentiality and privacy in the context of a high performing team;
• Approve all injections received by players in connection with their participation in the NRLW or any Related Competition;
• Oversee and monitor the actions of all paramedical staff working under the Club’s direction;
• Fully participate with the NRL injury surveillance program or any other NRL sanctioned medical data collection for research purposes (GPS, concussion audit, etc);
• Be the responsible person at the club for the management of NRLW player concussion, including with observance of the NRL’s Rules as they relate to concussion;
• Provide medical reports as required for the NRL judiciary or hearings; and
• Participate in the NRL and Club meetings and activities and disseminate relevant information within the Club

Governance & Ethics

• Understand the NRL Rules with particular reference to those regulations that relate to medical management, medical fitness (including concussion), supplements and anti-doping;
• Comply with the mandatory reporting of known or suspected doping activities to the NRL
• The health and welfare of NRLW players and officials is the highest priority of the NRLW Medical Officer when working in a club;
• The NRLW Medical Officer must comply with the standard of behaviour and conduct that are required by AHPRA;
• The NRLW Medical Officer must comply with legal requirements governing health records.
• The NRLW Medical Officer must respect and comply with the NRL Rules; and
• The NRLW Medical Officer must work constructively alongside other personnel in a multi-disciplinary team.

Qualifications & Experience

Qualifications

• MBBS or equivalent
• AHPRA registration
• Management of Sporting Trauma (MOST) course (ACSEP) or equivalent (as deemed by NRL CMO) within 3 years
• Qld Blue Card/NSW Working with children compliance
• Post graduate sports and exercise medicine qualifications (preferred)

Experience

• Elite/Professional contact team sport experience as a Team Doctor
• Experience in the support and preparation of development athletes.
• Experience working collaboratively with Performance Support teams (including Physiotherapy, Psychology, Nutrition, Sports Science, Strength & Conditioning, and coaches)
• Extensive experience in managing sporting trauma / concussion
• Demonstrated previous experience working across a diverse demographic, with proven experience in developing and maintaining effective relationships with diverse communities.
• Expert knowledge of women’s health
• Knowledge of rugby league

Hours of work

This is a part time role during the NRLW season, approximately 8 hours per week plus game days. Being in the sports administration industry, the nature of this role requires weekend work and evening work with a significant ‘on call’ element during the season. The role will also be required to attend home game match days and travel to other events as required. Additional work may be required depending on demand.