About The Business
We are the team of the Mighty West, and we are for the West, fiercely proud of our unique 140+ years Western Suburbs heritage. Our famous Bulldog fighting spirit mirrors that of the West – the west of Melbourne and the west of Victoria – where hard work and standing up for what you believe in matters. While our history guides us, our horizons have lifted, unprecedented opportunities await, and our ambitions loom large.
Our Club still exists to bring people together and create lasting memories, as much as it strives to win premierships. It’s about our people, and their shared passion for the red, white and blue. It’s about ambition, pride, determination, and having a place to call home. We’ll always be entrenched in our community, embracing the beauty and strength in its diversity. It’s the story of what it means to be a Bulldog ‘Through & Through’.
We strive to create an inclusive environment where all are celebrated and belong regardless of age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or background. We are a child safe organisation committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people.
If you are looking to be a part of a committed and passionate team, the Western Bulldogs encourage you to apply for this fantastic role.
About the Role
An exciting opportunity exists for Clinical Neuropsychologists to undertake clinical and research services as part of the Brain Health Initiative (BHI) program across AFL and AFLW. This role will be 1 day a week for a fixed-term of 2 years.
These new roles will provide an opportunity to work within Australian Football clubs as part of the healthcare team, providing assessment and clinical care of professional Australian football players.
The Club Clinical Neuropsychologists will be responsible for providing clinical services, including establishing pre-season baseline, and conducting post-injury cognitive assessment of players as directed by the club doctor, as well as research activities including player education and recruitment into the research program, data collection, reporting, and data monitoring.
It is anticipated that the Neuropsychologist will work closely with the club Doctor and Psychologist and will be supported in all operational aspects of this role by the General Manager of Football Operations. Club Clinical Neuropsychologists will report to the AFL Head of Concussion Innovation & Research /BHI Principal Investigator (Academic Lead) for all research related matters, and clinical governance will be as per standard club healthcare management practices for all clinical matters.
Your contribution
Clinical
- Undertake player neurocognitive assessment including pre-season baseline, post-concussion assessment, and comprehensive assessment at exit from club using a range of tools including electronic and paper-and-pencil cognitive measures, computerised neurocognitive testing, and self-report scales.
- Client-centred hypothetico-deductive approach in neuropsychological opinion.
- Support with implementation of rehabilitation recommendations from neuropsychological assessment if required.
- Provision of assessment feedback to players, Club doctors, and other healthcare staff with consent.
- Manage and escalate care for players who present with acute distress
- Opportunities for peer supervision with other Neuropsychologists and Psychologists
Research
- Facilitate player recruitment into the Brain Health Initiative Research Program and obtain player informed consent.
- Collect and manage research data
- Ensure in-house club compliance with research program standard operating procedures.
- Undertake database training for end-user operational procedures and knowledge expertise to serve as database champion/super-user.
- Liaise with AFL Brain Health Initiative Project Manager regarding research standard operating procedures and processes.
- Administrative function with player research milestones including follow-up scheduling and supporting with any associated travel.
- Player liaison for player general queries and concerns regarding BHI
Skills & Experience
- Master’s Degree or Clinical Doctorate qualification in clinical neuropsychology
- Minimum two years’ experience in post-graduate clinical/research neuropsychology settings
- Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA), a current Working with Children certificate, and professional indemnity insurance
- Driver’s License
- Excellent written and organisational skills including meticulous attention to detail.
- Demonstrated understanding of research principles and/or experience in a research context
- Demonstrated experience in research data management including clear understanding of legal and ethical obligations relating to player privacy and confidentiality
- Excellent team communication skills and ability to engage all internal and external stakeholders to meet study recruitment targets and deadlines.
- Willingness to travel to player appointments
- Ability to rapidly adapt and operate under pressure within the fast-paced context of a professional sport.
- Ability to solve complex problems in discretionary manner, exercising both innovation and clinical expertise.
What’s On Offer
- Birthday Leave – a day of leave available in the week of your birthday
- Close to West Footscray Station part of the new Metro Tunnel line
- Free onsite parking available
- Club membership – Free access to Western Bulldogs AFL and AFLW home games for you and your family Continuous learning & development – Array of paid and discounted professional training and development opportunities on offer
- Deals & Discounts with Club corporate sponsors – over 40% in some cases
- Parent friendly – Paid Primary and Secondary Carer’s Leave available
- Wellbeing focus including – we support our staff to complete a proactive wellbeing plan, free access to club gym, wellbeing sessions and activities across the year
How To Apply
Successful candidates will be required to hold a valid working with children check and satisfactory national criminal history check.
If you are interested in working in a challenging yet extremely satisfying position, please click on APPLY & attach your resume and a cover letter outlining your key attributes. Applications close at 5pm Friday 27th March. Please note, shortlisted candidates may be contacted prior to closing date.
Western Bulldogs acknowledges that we reside on traditional lands of the Kulin Nation. We offer our respect to the Elders of these traditional lands, and through them to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples past, presenting and emerging. Western Bulldogs encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.
