Jack Clements

Before studying at CQUniversity, I had worked across several different industries and roles, including construction, personal training on mine sites, disability support through the NDIS and periods of self-employment. I also spent time travelling and working in different locations, which exposed me to people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances.

Through these experiences, I became increasingly interested in health, rehabilitation and the way physical function affects a person’s independence and quality of life. Physiotherapy became the clearest fit for my interests, strengths and the type of career I wanted to pursue.

At the time, entry into physiotherapy was highly competitive and I did not have a direct pathway into the degree. CQUniversity offered me the opportunity to begin with the Bachelor of Allied Health and work towards transferring into the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours). After completing the first year of Allied Health and achieving the required GPA, I was accepted into physiotherapy. CQU provided a practical pathway into the profession while allowing me to study close to family.

After graduating, I began my career as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist in private practice in Darwin. This role gave me broad exposure to acute and persistent musculoskeletal conditions, post-operative rehabilitation, workplace injuries, sporting injuries and general community presentations. It also helped me develop confidence in clinical reasoning, communication and treatment planning while working with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

I later returned to regional Queensland and established my own business, Vitruvian Physiotherapy. Building a physiotherapy service has been both a professional and personal milestone. Alongside treating patients, I manage the administrative, financial and operational aspects of the business, which has required me to develop skills beyond clinical practice, including relationship-building, business management and service development.

Today, I provide musculoskeletal physiotherapy within established medical and allied health settings, supporting members of the community, injured workers, post-surgical patients and people seeking to return to work, sport or normal daily activities. One of the most rewarding aspects of my career is helping people better understand their condition and regain confidence in their physical capacity.

My career since graduation has involved considerable change, from relocating for work and developing as a clinician in Darwin to returning home and establishing my own practice in regional Queensland. Each stage has strengthened my clinical judgement, independence and understanding of what is required to provide a high-quality physiotherapy service.