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Current Trainees 2024-03-27T14:47:11+11:00

Essential Information

Advanced skills training adds depth to your general practice training and enhances your clinical practice by providing focused, specialised training for twelve months* in a specific discipline. We encourage Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway trainees to select an AST position based on the needs of the rural community that they wish to relocate to following completion of training. Refer to our advanced skill training and employment map (disciplines and locations tab) for more information about where you can train and where you can use a particular advanced skill. 

You can find a list of college AST offerings at the ACRRM and RACGP websites.

The QRGP coordinates a centralised recruitment campaign for some AST disciplines. You do not need to be a QRGP trainee to apply for or be offered a position through this recruitment campaign. Applications from RG trainees and fellows external to the QRGP are welcome.

Information regarding the 2024 recruitment round is outlined below.

For any queries, clarification or additional information, please contact our team.

*Surgical AST takes two years to complete.

Curriculum statements are available from the ACRRM and RACGP websites.

The QRGP team have developed several guides to support trainees and facilities to better understand and value advanced skills training in cognitive disciplines such as mental health, paediatrics and internal medicine. These guides outline the role of an RG with these advanced skills, possible models of service delivery, the opportunities and considerations for in-community training, and considerations for CPD and MOPS.

If you would like further information on completing AST in any of these disciplines, please get in touch with the QRGP team for advice and support.

The information above is updated annually. These resources were last updated in March 2024. 

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The QRGP coordinates a statewide recruitment and placement process for medical officers wishing to undertake AST in mental health, palliative care, adult internal medicine, anaesthetics, obstetrics and paediatrics. The campaign opens in April/May each year for commencement the following year. You do not need to be a Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway trainee to apply.

AST in emergency medicine, surgery and Indigenous health is coordinated via Queensland Health’s Resident Medical Officer Campaign. Applications for these disciplines open in June for commencement the following year. We encourage you to discuss your interest in applying for AST with department Directors, your College and the QRGP. We’re here to support you and help you navigate the path to your career goals.

Applicants must:

  • Be PGY2 or greater at the time of application
  • Hold general registration with the Medical Board of Australia
  • Demonstrate commitment to providing services to a rural community in the chosen advanced skill discipline
Applications for advanced skills training positions through either the Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway’s centralised process or through the Resident Medical Officer Campaign require you to submit your preference for training locations.

If you are not a Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway trainee and you would like to express interest in undertaking AST, please email us on rural_generalist@health.qld.gov.au.

Background

In June 2023, the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women the Hon Shannon Fentiman announced a $42 million investment to support birthing in regional, rural, and remote areas of Queensland.

The Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway (QRGP) has received funding under this initiative to support medical officers undertaking DRANZCOG Advanced training in Queensland from 2024. The QRGP has a long history of supporting aspiring rural generalists and we’re excited to extend the support services we offer to assist DRANZCOG Advanced trainees to navigate and successfully complete their training and progress to a fulfilling rural generalist obstetrician role.

Support available

The key components of our Training Support Program include:

  • A dedicated Rural Generalist Consultant, who is currently practising rural obstetrics, to provide practical, contextualised support and mentorship. In most cases, our RG Consultants will meet with trainees monthly onsite at their training facility throughout the year.
  • Sponsored attendance at an intensive three-day workshop at the Gold Coast from 7 – 9 August 2024. This workshop is designed to support timely DRANZCOG Advanced completion of training and will be facilitated by practising RGOs and FRANZCOGs. The workshop will include opportunity for high volume ultrasound scanning, sessions on clinical courage, career planning and more.
  • Payment of costs associated with DRANZCOG Advanced training (subject to funding allocation limits), including:
    • DRANZCOG Advanced training fee.
    • DRANZCOG written exam fee.
    • DRANZCOG Advanced oral exam fee.
    • Travel & accommodation to attend the oral exam in Melbourne.
  • Short term high acuity, high case load placements to assist trainees to achieve logbook signoff within the training year. Access to these placements will be prioritised according to need. A customised learning plan will be developed to ensure outstanding training requirements are a key focus of the placement.
  • Clinical and professional networking and debriefing. Later in the training year trainees will be invited to join the QRGP’s newly developed community of practice, the Queensland Rural Generalist Obstetrics Network. The Network will host education and peer review case discussion opportunities for Rural Generalist Obstetricians in rural practice. The goal of the Network is to build social and professional networks and positively influence Rural Generalist obstetrics training and retention.

Rural Generalist Consultants

The aim of the Rural Generalist Consultant role is to provide practical, contextualised support and mentorship to DRANZCOG Advanced trainees who are planning a career in rural medicine.  These roles will seek to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders at each training location (e.g., Supervisors, FRANZCOG staff specialists, RANZCOG registrars, midwives etc.) and provide education and awareness regarding the capabilities and scope of practice of the RGO workforce.  The intent is to work in partnership with training sites to improve the uptake, completion of training and retention of appropriately skilled RGOs and encourage strong professional networks with their training site or other suitable referral site in their subsequent rural practice location.

The Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway is please to introduce our Rural Generalist Consultants who will be providing onsite support and mentorship to DRANZCOG Advanced trainees.

Dr Josephine Pearson 

Josephine is a Rural Generalist Obstetrician based in St George and our medical lead for the new support initiatives being introduced.  Josie is a fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and a QRGP alumna.  Josie will provide on-site support and mentorship to trainees undertaking their training at Toowoomba, Ipswich and Mater Hospitals.

Dr Lucinda Anderson

Lucinda is a Rural Generalist Obstetrician based at Innisfail.  Lucinda is a fellow of the Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine, and a QRGP alumna.  Lucinda will provide on-site support and mentorship to trainees undertaking their training at Mount Isa and Townsville Hospitals.

Dr Cassandra McKay

Cassandra is a Rural Generalist Obstetrician based in Mareeba.  Cassandra is a fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and a QRGP alumna.  Cassandra will provide support and mentorship to trainees undertaking their training at Cairns, Rockhampton and Mackay Hospitals.

Dr Clare Walker

Clare is a Rural Generalist Obstetrician based in Longreach.  Clare has dual fellowships with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.  Clare will provide on-site support and mentorship to trainees undertaking their training at Redland, Gympie, and Sunshine Coast Hospitals.

Dr David Barker

David is a Rural Generalist Obstetrician based in Beaudesert.  David is a fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and a QRGP alumnus.  David will provide on-site support and mentorship to trainees undertaking their training at Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Gold Coast and Logan Hospitals.

Further information

For any questions in relation to the support initiatives or training, please contact the team via Rural_Generalist@health.qld.gov.au

Disciplines and locations

Advanced Skills Training (AST) position offerings vary year to year and so do the job opportunities available in rural facilities after training.  The QRGP team, in collaboration with other training partners, has collated and mapped advanced skill training positions and rural vacancies to help trainees make informed career decisions.

The information below is updated annually and is historical. For future recruitment opportunities, please refer to the relevant QRGP position list for anaesthetics, O&G, paediatrics, mental health, internal medicine and palliative care; and the RMO Campaign and Colleges for other disciplines.

If you’d like to know whether it’s possible to complete training in a particular discipline, or work in a particular location with that advanced skill, and it doesn’t appear in the resources below, get in touch with the QRGP team for advice and support.

These resources were last updated in June 2023:

AST sites by discipline and location (where you can train)

Employing facilities by advanced skill discipline and location

Downloadable table with training and employment site information 

Key Dates

These key dates relate to the 2025 recruitment campaign being conducted in 2024.

Event Date
AST Campaign information session for applicants via Microsoft Teams 7 – 8pm Monday

18 March 2024

Applications for anaesthetics, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, internal medicine, mental health and palliative care open 9am Monday

8 April 2024

Applications for anaesthetics, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, internal medicine, mental health and palliative care close 3pm Monday

22 April 2024

Collation of applications and panel shortlisting Wednesday

1 May to

Tuesday

7 May 2024

Interviews conducted via Microsoft Teams Monday

13 May to

Friday

24 May 2024

Ranked candidates presented to hospitals During above period
Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Campaign opens for those wishing to apply for AST in emergency medicine, surgery and Indigenous health

Unsuccessful candidates in anaesthetics, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, internal medicine, mental health and palliative care can amend their application to be considered for the RMO Campaign

Monday 3 June 2024
Candidates and Regional Training Organisations (RTOs) notified of outcome of anaesthetics, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, internal medicine, mental health and palliative care applications Early to mid June 2024
RMO Campaign closes 3pm Monday

1 July 2024

RMO Campaign outcome released Mid October 2024

Process

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Apply

2025 AST applications for anaesthetics, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, internal medicine, mental health and palliative care will open 9am Monday 8 April 2024.

2025 AST applications for emergency medicine, Indigenous health and surgery open through the Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Campaign on Monday 3 June 2024.

Next: Disciplines and Locations