AddressWho we are
The MJD Foundation partners with and supports Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander families living with Machado Joseph Disease (MJD) and Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7 (SCA7) to live fulfilling and rewarding lives. The MJDF is an Aboriginal organisation and we take our core values from combining best practice western and traditional cultural knowledge in the ‘Our-way’ approach. By providing flexible and culturally responsive care based on a strong foundation of enduring relationships, we aim to provide families living with MJD specialist care and support, working together to stay stronger for longer. We are currently recruiting for a fulltime Physiotherapist to provide therapeutic care to MJDF clients as a member of our Therapy team within the MJD Foundation.
Our Way
From grassroots on Groote Eylandt, and under the guidance of remarkable leadership from senior Aboriginal community members, we developed ‘Our Way’. ‘Our Way’ is a self-determination approach based on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander way of experiencing the world and preferred practices. ‘Our Way’ governs all that we do in research, education, clinical and community services as well as the MJD Foundation’s governance.
‘Our Way’ means we are family and client led.
Two-way Approach
To deliver health and disability services effectively in a non-dominant culture displaced for centuries, it is critical to prioritise and genuinely value the cultural and social issues that may constitute barriers to accessing these services.
This requires a ‘two-way’ approach, where staff members from different cultures (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) work side-by-side and learn from each other, partnering and sharing skills and knowledge to develop solutions tailored to meet the needs of people living with MJD and SCA7.
Therapy program and vision
The MJD Foundation has embarked on an exciting journey establishing a dedicated therapy program that supports people living with MJD in the NT access specialist multidisciplinary allied health care.
Our vision is that in partnership with families living with MJD and SCA7, the therapy team will work towards providing specialist knowledge and therapeutic supports so that people living with MJD and SCA7 can live stronger for longer and have a hopeful future. We acknowledge the resilience and strength of families living with MJD and SCA7. Our clients are experts in MJD and SCA7 and continue to teach us about their lived experience. We will work in ‘Our way’ – side by side, learning from each other, building our knowledge about best practice based on shared experiences, cultural preferences, personal preferences and robust research. We will use and share this knowledge to provide innovative, flexible, strength based, best practice therapeutic care – growing in capacity together as we support each other to stay strong on the inside and outside.
Some of our team were recently interviewed for a co-design article, please have a look here if this sparks your interest: https://APA | Co-design for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare and research (australian.physio)
The Position
The Physiotherapist role is an exciting opportunity for a clinician with experience in delivering therapeutic care to clients living with neurological conditions. We are looking for someone who is keen to challenge themselves, learn, is open minded and keen to share their knowledge and experience with others.
As the sole Physiotherapist within the therapy team, you will provide leadership and work as a member of the multidisciplinary team to design, deliver and evaluate strength based, evidence informed, holistic, person-centered therapeutic programs. In addition, the role will provide support to the senior management team across core activities of the MJD Foundation (Education, Advocacy, Research, Clinical and Community Services).
You will have the opportunity to work in partnership with Aboriginal Community Specialist staff members, families and carers to help clients living with MJD. The therapy program will deliver support honoring the ‘Our Way’ approach; enabling our clients to be the effective drivers of our service, with their needs and priorities reflected in the programs developed and the way that they are implemented.
This position is based in Darwin and will require travel to remote communities.
Selection Criteria:
1. Tertiary qualifications in Physiotherapy.
2. Minimum of five years of experience working as a qualified therapist.
3. Clinical experience working with clients with neurological diagnoses and/or in rehabilitation settings, with demonstrated ability to independently apply professional knowledge and judgment when performing novel, complex or critical tasks.
4. Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities and cultures from an historical and contemporary perspective.
5. A commitment to person and family centred practice and working within the MJD Foundation ‘Our Way’ approach.
6. Willingness to learn, be challenged and innovate in a unique work environment.
7. Commitment to multi-disciplinary and inter-sectoral working.
8. Ability to work both independently and as part of a (cross cultural) team.
9. Highly developed ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
10. Demonstrated experience with a range of computer software and good computer skills.
For more information have a look at the position description on our website or contact Alison Grootendorst, Therapy Team Manager at ***************@mjd.org.au or 0477 883 ***.
If you have the knowledge and experience we are looking for and are excited to join our team, please submit your CV (max 3 pages) and a statement (max 1 page) addressing the selection criteria by 27 June 2024.
The MJD Foundation values diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We welcome unique contributions and perspectives of all people to ensure our workforce is representative of the communities we work with and live in. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
