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. We provide specialist supports, engage in research and provide hope for the future. We have staff working for us from a variety of locations, for example in Darwin, Cairns, Sydney, Groote Eylandt, Ngukurr and Alice Springs.
How we work
‘Our Way’ is a self-determination approach based on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander way of experiencing the world and preferred practices. These include the centrality of family and kinship
relationships, as well as prioritising collective decision-making and place-based responses. To deliver health and disability services effectively in a non-dominant culture displaced for centuries, we find 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 and minimising workforce power imbalances.
Do you want to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal families living with Machado Joseph disease or SCA7?
It is important that you demonstrate that you are self-motivated and that you will take key tasks through to completion. You will have strong interpersonal skills, work well in a team environment and you have the ability to interact effectively and in a culturally appropriate manner. You will build close relationships with inspiring clients and their families. The expertise that you bring to the role may be varied, including skills that you have developed in your previous roles, your life experience as a member of the community and a user of the service system.
What we offer
Vacancies
We are currently recruiting for a fulltime Ataxia Clinic Nurse based in Darwin. The Ataxia Clinic Nurse position is responsible for ensuring that the clinical and medical issues experienced by clients living with MJD and SCA7 are effectively followed up and appropriate management strategies are implemented. Internally, the role will work closely with the MJD Foundation Consultant Neurologist, the multidisciplinary Therapy team, Genetics and Community Services teams, Aboriginal clients, carers and families. Externally the role will require collaboration and engagement with acute and primary health care providers such as General Practitioners, Hospital, Community, Health and Disability Services.
This position will require travel to remote communities and Queensland.
Who you are
Do you want to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal families living with Machado Joseph disease or SCA7? Are you an experienced nurse looking for a diverse role with a passion for culturally responsive care?
It is important that you demonstrate that you are self-motivated, pro-active and that you understand what it means to work ‘Our Way’. You will have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively and in a culturally appropriate manner with Aboriginal Australians. You enjoy providing clinical support and advice to a range of stakeholders, and you are always looking for ways to improve care and communication. The expertise that you bring to the role may be varied, including skills that you have developed in your previous roles, and your life experience as a member of the community and a user of the service system.
For more information have a look at the position description here or contact Kylie Jackson, Manager Community Services at kylie.jackson@mjd.org.au or 0499 330 207.
If you have the knowledge and experience we are looking for and are excited to join our team, please submit your CV and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria by 8 December 2024 and apply here. Applications will be considered as they are received.
The Director, Community Services will report to the CEO and lead a multidisciplinary team that supports individuals and their families living with MJD by providing holistic person-centered supports. MJDF works in a relationship-based approach that honours Our Way. ‘Our Way’ values and respects a ‘two-way’ approach which partners Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal staff to deliver supports that are flexible and responsive to the needs of our clients, and reflect the diverse cultural and first language needs of families.
As a key member of the MJDF’s Executive Management Team, you will provide leadership, strategic input, management, oversight and direction to the Community Services and NDIS teams and liaise with other senior staff members.
Please have a look at the position description here. For more information you can contact Jacquie Hatt, Acting CEO, via jacquie.hatt@mjd.org.au or 0499 213 350.
If you have the knowledge and experience we are looking for and are excited to join our team, please apply here with your resume and cover letter. Applications that don’t address the selection criteria will not be considered. We will select and interview candidates as they apply.
The Community Services Specialist (CSS) will work as part of a multidisciplinary team that responds to the health and disability needs of our clients and their families by delivering holistic person-centered care in partnership with families living with MJD. A central part of the vision of the program is working in partnership with MJDF clients and Aboriginal Community Worker staff to explore opportunities to learn from each other, integrating biomedical knowledge of rehabilitation with traditional therapies, knowledge and values to work towards clients’ goals. We are recruiting for a fulltime Community Services Specialist to join our Community Services team in Darwin.
The CSS will coordinate, provide, and facilitate access to health and disability care services and support to families including assessing client, family and carer needs; planning and prioritizing interventions, providing information and referral; group work; liaising with and providing access and engagement with community groups, welfare agencies, and government bodies.
The role is greatly varied in its day to day tasks and provides hands on support to MJD clients and their families. (Complex) Case management and assistance navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a large part of the role.
In addition, the role will provide support to the senior management team across all core activities of the MJD Foundation (Clinical Services, Education, Advocacy, Research and Community Services).
Please find the position description here. For more information you can contact Kylie Jackson, Manager Community Services Team, at kylie.jackson@mjd.org.au or 0499 330 207.
If you have the knowledge and experience we are looking for and are excited to join our team, please send your CV and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria to vanessa.schuurman@mjd.org.au.
info@mjd.org.au
1300 584 122
ABN: 65 159 208 867
MJD Foundation
DARWIN
PO Box 1745
Nightcliff NT 0814
GROOTE EYLANDT
PO Box 85
Alyangula NT 0885
CAIRNS
PO Box 606
North Cairns QLD 4870
MJDF acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders both past and present. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.
