NSW Rural General Practitioner Procedural Training Program
The program provides opportunities for Fellowed General Practitioners to acquire additional skills to provide advanced services in a NSW rural hospital and primary care in a community general practice setting.
The NSW Rural General Practitioner Procedural Training Program (GPPTP) provides 15 full-time equivalent training posts state-wide each year. The program provides opportunities for Fellowed General Practitioners (GPs) to acquire additional advanced skills to meet the healthcare needs of rural communities.
Training posts are located across rural NSW and meet approved standards determined by the relevant medical colleges in the following specialties:
- Emergency Medicine
- Anaesthetics
- Obstetrics
- Surgery
- Mental Health
Training posts must be accredited by the relevant specialist colleges and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
The program is endorsed by the medical colleges through Joint Consultative Committee structure (ACRRM, RACGP and representatives from DRANZCOG, RACS, RANZCP, ACEM and ANZCA).
Fellowed General Practitioners currently in rural practice or intending to take up rural practice. Priority is given to General Practitioners seeking 6 – 12 months training terms however shorter training terms, including flexible and part time options, are available. All applications must be consistent with the service needs of rural and remote communities and have the support of the relevant Local Health Districts (LHDs). Clinical placement opportunities are also available.
Recruitment to this program is managed and coordinated by the LHDs, in collaboration with HETI, and is subject to NSW Health recruitment policies and procedures. Recruitment can occur at any time of year.
Applicants accepted into the program are required to be working in a rural General Practice.
Doctors are encouraged to access training relevant to the service needs of the community in which they intend to practice. Assistance may be provided to identify practice locations or practice vacancies that provide an opportunity to utilise procedural training skills for those not in an established practice, or intending to change their practice location.
Remuneration for positions covered under the Health Professionals and Medical Salaries (State) Award under category: Career Medical Officers.
Registrars seeking advanced skills training and a career as a rural GP are not eligible for the GPPTP, however are eligible to apply to the NSW Rural Generalist Training Program; a supported pathway of up to 4 years pending the year of entry undertaken in conjunction with general practice training.(click here for further information).
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
a) Rural General Practitioners
This program is available to all Fellowed General Practitioners wanting to acquire or maintain procedural skills for use in rural NSW.
It is recognised that General Practitioners undertaking procedural training are most likely to have established practices therefore training may be flexible to allow continuation of part time work in the practice. The procedural training specialty should be appropriate to the service needs of the community in which they intend to practice.
b) Vocationally registered GPs proposing to take up rural practice
Recruiting doctors from this group to the program will assist in addressing rural General Practice workforce shortages.
c) Conditionally registered Overseas Trained Doctors currently working in Area of Need Positions
The program is available to permanent resident overseas trained doctors who are currently working in an Area of Need position in NSW and have the support of their employer.
To ensure that applications for training match the service needs of the community; a letter of support from the employer will be required to ensure eligibility for the Program. The Area of Need position will require modification to incorporate the proposed training, and an application made to AHPRA to approve an extension of conditional registration to include the training position.
Permanent resident overseas trained doctors who have their FRACGP and are designated by the Medical Board of NSW "to work specifically as a specialist in general practice" may also be considered for entry into the Program.
d) Doctors who are residing in or are prepared to reside and practice as a General Practitioner in rural NSW.