Recruitment for Advanced Skills Training 2024 is now closed.....

However to give you an idea, here are some of the opportunities we advertised for 2024

• Anaesthetics – Maitland, Tamworth, Armidale, Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Bega, and Orange
• Emergency Medicine – Maitland, Taree, Wagga Wagga, Griffith,  Coffs Harbour, Kempsey/Port Macquarie, Lismore, Lismore/Ballina, Tweed Heads, Grafton, Queanbeyan, Bathurst, and Dubbo
• Mental Health –  Wagga Wagga, Lismore, and Orange
• Obstetrics – Maitland, Taree, Tamworth, Nowra, Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Moruya, Queanbeyan, Bathurst, and Dubbo
• Paediatrics – Maitland, Taree, Tamworth, Nowra, Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Lismore, Grafton, Bathurst, and Orange
• Palliative Care –  Broken Hill, Maitland, Taree, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Coffs Harbour, Wauchope/Port Macquarie, Lismore, and Orange

Please note, the availability of opportunities may change with each recruitment campaign.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply to the NSW Rural Generalist Medical Training Program, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

1. MBBS or equivalent, current general registration with the Medical Board of Australia.
2. Demonstrate a commitment to rural practice and rural communities including an intention to provide advanced or procedural skills services in a rural community
3. Applicants must be a current GP Trainee (enrolled in either FRACGP/FARGP or FRACGP-RG or FACRRM via AGPT, RVTS or ACRRM independent pathway OR eligible for GP training AND in the process of applying (it is a requirement to enrol in either FRACGP/FARGP or FRACGP-RG or FACRRM).

How to apply

Opportunities for 2025 Advanced Skills Training via direct entry will be advertised on the ROB Junior Medical Officer website in July 2024.

The NSW Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway is a co-ordinated and supported pathway for junior doctors seeking a career as a rural generalist.

Trainees on the pathway are employed for up to 4 years by a rural local health district while completing training in primary care and hospital settings. The pathway supports trainees to complete their rural GP training and advanced skills training with a single employer

The single employer pathway provides rural generalist trainees with one contract for the length of their training (up to 4 years depending on stage of training) by the employing rural NSW Local Health District (LHD).

Where is the NSW Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway available?

The NSW Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway positions are being offered in the following rural local health districts: is available in Far West, Hunter New England, Mid North Coast, Murrumbidgee, Northern NSW, Southern NSW, and Western NSW Local Health Districts (LHD). A map of Local Health Districts (LHD) is available here.

Whilst aligned to one hospital within the LHD, the trainee may be required to perform their duties at peripheral hospitals and primary care services.

For detailed information go to https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/regional/Pages/rgsep.aspx

Can I complete my GP training on the NSW Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway?

Yes. Rural Generalist trainees will complete their GP training in ACRRM/RACGP accredited practices participating in the NSW Rural Generalist Training Pathway. While undertaking GP rotations you will remain an employee of the rural local health district and be paid according to the NSW Public (Hospital) Medical Officers Award.

What are the advantages of the NSW Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway?

• certainty about location, income, working conditions including work hours, on-call and leave entitlements such as long service and maternity leave
• development needs supported and  aligned with those needed by the local community
• seamless transition between hospital and General Practice training placements with no loss of entitlements
• opportunity to develop strong professional links with referral hospitals and private practitioners within the region and become part of the rural practice network

What kind of employment contract will I receive?

Trainees will receive a contract of up to 4 years duration dependent on their stage of training.

Trainees are employed by the LHD under the Public Hospital Medical Officers (State) Award 2019 for the duration of the contract. This gives protection under the industrial award including work hours, on -call and leave.

Can participants choose where they want to work?

The NSW Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway opportunities will be advertised at specific participating LHD locations throughout the year. The employing local health district will manage trainee rotations in consultation with the GP colleges, GP Practices and HETI (for Advanced Skills Training), to ensure trainees meet their training requirements.Trainees will complete GP training in ACRRM/RACGP accredited practices participating in the NSW Rural Generalist Training Pathway.

Trainees may have the opportunity to rotate to other rural local health districts to undertake advanced skills training.

Do I have to be a GP trainee to be on the NSW Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway?

Yes. You Must be a current GP Trainee (enrolled in either FRACGP -RG or FACRRM via AGPT, RVTS or ACRRM Independent Pathway) OR eligible for GP training AND in the process of applying.

I have started my GP training, can I still apply for the NSW Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway?

Yes. The pathway is available for trainees who have already completed some components of GP training. Trainees will be offered a 1,2, 3, or 4-year contract dependant on the stage they enter the pathway.

• Placements and supervision will be assisted by the LHD.
• The LHD will liaise with the trainees GP college – Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and /or Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) to ensure placements meet training requirements.
• To be eligible for a Single Employer Pathway contract applicants need to be enrolled in the NSW Rural Generalist Medical Training Program (RGTP). The RGTP provides a supported pathway throughout training to Fellowship. There are two entry points to the RGTP, this includes Foundation Year or via Advanced Skills Training (lateral entry).
• NSW Health funded Advanced Skills Training posts are coordinated by the RGTP, and include Anaesthetics, Obstetrics, Emergency Medicine, Paediatrics, Palliative Care and Mental Health.
• Upon completion, and pending successful completion of college assessments, trainees exit with a Fellowship of either the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM) and/or the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners- Rural Generalist (RACGP-RG) and with at least one advanced skill.

Yes, you may be eligible for the single employer pathway.

Please note: Acceptance onto the NSW Rural Generalist (Medical) Training Program (RGTP) is a pre-requisite for the single employer pathway. There are two points of entry to the RGTP: through the Foundation Year or via Advanced Skills Training (lateral entry).

1. If you were not successful at this time for an AST position and you indicated on your AST application that you are also applying for the single employer pathway position in this recruitment round the panel will consider your suitability, if deemed suitable by the panel you will be considered for an available position, and offered enrolment into the NSW RGTP Foundation Year
2. If you were not successful at this time for an AST position and deemed suitable by the panel, you will be offered enrolment into the NSW RGTP Foundation Year
3. If you did not indicate on your AST application that you were also applying for the single employer pathway position in this round, you will need to apply via the Single Employer Pathway recruitment round which will open 3 October 2023