By David Vilchez, Founder & CEO, Medical Staff Talent
→ Sports Physiotherapist (Manual & Movement Therapy) — Private Family, Dubai
Every clinician knows that patient information is confidential. In a private household, discretion goes further. A sports physiotherapist sees where the family trains, when they travel, who visits, how a principal moves after an injury and what the children’s sporting calendar looks like. Much of this would never appear in a clinical record, yet all of it is private.
This article looks at discretion as a daily practice for a sports physiotherapist working with a high-profile family: the small habits that matter, the situations that test them and what families expect. For the contractual side, including what a typical NDA covers, see our guide to NDAs and confidentiality for private family clinicians.
Why discretion matters even more in sport
Sport is visible. A family member who plays padel at a club, rides in competition or trains with a well-known coach can be recognised. An injury, a missed match or a change of training routine can be of interest to people outside the family. Professional athletes and their physiotherapists learn this early; in a private household it applies to everyone you look after, whether or not they are famous.
What stays private
- Health and injuries. Any assessment, treatment, progress or setback, for every family member.
- Routines and locations. Where and when the family trains, which residences they use and how sessions are organised.
- Travel. Destinations, dates, flights and who is travelling.
- The household. Guests, staff, conversations overheard and anything about family life.
- Images. The residence, the gym, the yacht, the family and their belongings.
Everyday habits that protect the family
- No photographs. Not of the gym, not of the view, not of yourself at work. If a photograph is genuinely needed for clinical reasons, ask first and follow the family office’s guidance.
- Nothing on social media. No check-ins, no stories, no “great session today”, even without names. Many households also ask staff to keep their own profiles low-key.
- Careful messaging. Use the channels the family office approves, keep messages factual and brief, and never forward clinical details to personal accounts.
- Neutral answers. When friends ask about your job, a simple “I work with a private family” is enough.
- Discreet notes. Keep clinical records secure and share them only with those who need them.
Discretion inside the house
Discretion is not only about the outside world. Within the household, share each person’s health information only with those who need it to work safely, and never discuss one family member with another without permission. Our guide to working alongside the family’s personal trainer, coach or doctor covers how information is shared within the team.
Situations that test discretion
- A fellow professional at a tournament asks who you are working for. You can be friendly without answering.
- A journalist or stranger asks about the family. You do not comment, and you let the family office know.
- A former colleague wants to catch up and asks about your new role. You talk about physiotherapy, not about the family.
- Another member of staff asks about a principal’s injury. You explain kindly that health information stays with the clinical team.
A typical case: the junior tournament abroad
Picture a teenage family member competing in a junior tennis tournament in Europe. The physiotherapist travels with them, prepares warm-ups, manages a minor ankle niggle and attends every match. Parents of other players ask questions; a coach recognises the family name; a spectator films a match. The physiotherapist stays courteous and neutral, keeps the treatment area private, says nothing about the ankle to anyone outside the family’s team and reports the filming to the family office rather than intervening. Nothing appears online from anyone on the family’s side. This is a hypothetical example, but it shows how discretion works day to day.
What families look for
- A natural, unforced discretion that does not need reminding.
- Experience with professional athletes, national teams or high-profile clients, which is a major advantage.
- Calm judgement in public, at events and while travelling.
- Professional standards of record-keeping and communication.
If you have worked in elite sport, our article on moving from club or national-team physiotherapy to a private family explains which habits carry over.
Requirements and conditions of the role
- A physiotherapy degree from the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the United States or Canada, with current registration in the country of training. What counts is where you trained, not your nationality.
- Strong manual therapy, exercise prescription and movement control skills; experience with elite athletes, professional teams or high-profile clients is a major advantage.
- Availability to start within about six weeks and total flexibility.
- Willingness to live with the family and travel with them continuously across several countries. The role is live-in and single-status: you relocate alone, and partners or children do not relocate with you.
- Fluent English and complete discretion.
The package:
- Salary from £60,000 a year gross, depending on experience.
- Free private accommodation.
- Flights and travel paid by the family.
- Medical insurance covered. Professional indemnity insurance is not included.
- A permanent position with annual leave.
The salary is agreed directly between the family and the clinician; each clinician should take advice from their own tax adviser on whether the income is taxable in their circumstances.
Medical Staff Talent introduces and verifies clinicians. The engagement is contracted directly between the family and the clinician, and all local arrangements (visa, licensed entity, coordination with local clinics) remain with the family’s own office and advisers.
The current opening is our sports physiotherapist job with a private family. You can also read about travel recovery after long-haul flights.
Frequently asked questions
Will I sign an NDA?
Families usually ask household staff, including clinicians, to sign a confidentiality agreement. The agreement is made directly between the family and the clinician, and you should read it carefully and take independent advice if anything is unclear.
Can I mention the role on my CV or LinkedIn?
Usually only in general terms, such as working as a sports physiotherapist for a private family, without names, places or details. Always follow your agreement and the family office’s guidance.
Who can apply?
Physiotherapists with a degree from the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the United States or Canada and current registration in the country of training. What counts is where you trained, not your nationality.
What is the salary?
From £60,000 a year gross, depending on experience, with free private accommodation, flights and travel paid and medical insurance covered. Professional indemnity insurance is not included.
Send your CV in confidence
If discretion comes naturally to you, send your CV in confidence. Every CV is read personally.
Send your CV in confidence
