Player Support Associate (Brain Health)

The PFA•Manchester, VT

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Player Support Associate, as part of the Brain Health department, will work with members and their families to provide personalized practical and emotional support associated with brain health, dementia, and neurodegenerative conditions. This role involves working closely with the Director of Brain Health to ensure members receive the support and education they need to enhance their quality of life related to brain health. The successful candidate will manage a caseload of members living with dementia or other neurodegenerative conditions, serving as their single point of contact for assistance. They will provide direct personalized practical and emotional support, help navigate challenges associated with neurodegenerative conditions, aid in problem-solving, and signpost to appropriate information and support resources. Additionally, the post-holder will assist in scheduling, delivering, and reviewing the brain health education program.

Requirements

Experience of dementia and neurodegenerative disease in personal or professional life.
Must be able to demonstrate a strong understanding and knowledge of concussion, brain health, and dementia in sport and society.
Ability to demonstrate clear, concise, and practical written and oral communication that is audience-centered.
Able to cope with pressurized situations and tight timeframes whilst maintaining a professional approach.
High emotional intelligence.
Approachable and low-ego personality.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
High level of integrity and confidentiality.
Satisfactory documentary evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with current legislative requirements.
Complete an enhanced DBS check for this role.

Nice To Haves

Experience of working or participation in football
Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant field (i.e. Sports Science)
Teaching, coaching, or educating experience, including a range of teaching approaches including face to face, remote, group delivery.

Responsibilities

Schedule, deliver, and review player-centered brain health and concussion education to professional footballers, members, and their families.
Organize, facilitate, and/or support the delivery of memories initiatives both virtually and face-to-face.
Research, create, and/or develop resources to support members and their families on brain health.
Act as a first and ongoing point of contact for members and their families with the PFA on issues related to brain health.
Triage and assess member and family needs on issues associated with brain health and develop appropriate action plans of support.
Offer members and their families, information, advice, and guidance on issues associated with brain health, including dementia and neurodegenerative disease.
Support members and their families with non-clinical emotional and practical support on issues of brain health, including dementia and neurodegenerative diseases.
Signpost and refer members and their families to additional services (both internally and externally) to support them with their individual needs.
Undertake face-to-face visits with members and their families.
Collaborate with internal and external partners to develop the services and offer of the brain health department for our members and their families.
Support the delivery of Brain Health events, such as the Annual Research Symposium and the Families Retreat.
Contribute and lead programs within the Brain Health strategy.
Maintain excellent contemporaneous records and data of all activities delivered within brain health on the PFA systems.
Ensure you are current with your knowledge and practice on issues and services associated with brain health at the PFA.
Maintain professional practice particularly on issues of Consent, Safeguarding, Confidentiality, and GDPR in line with legal, morale, and organizational responsibilities.
Report issues or concerns to line-managers and/or the Director of Brain Health in a timely manner.
Undertake reasonable activities as necessary for the PFA as directed by the Director of Brain Health.
Represent the PFA and the Brain Health department in a responsible and positive manner.