Current Trainees

Internal Medicine
Mental Health
Indigenous Health

Rural Generalists are integral members of their communities, providing invaluable services to rural communities across Australia every day. Advanced skills training adds depth to your training and enhances your clinical practice by providing focused, specialised training for twelve months* in a specific discipline.

Essential Information

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 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.

Information regarding the 2020 recruitment round is outlined below.

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

*Surgical AST takes two years to complete.

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Applying for AST

The QRGP coordinates a statewide recruitment and placement process for medical officers wishing to undertake AST in mental health, 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 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 Regional Training Organisation and the QRGP. We’re here to support you and help you navigate the path to your career goals.

Eligibility

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

Important preferencing information

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. The Australian General Practice Training Rural Generalist Policy enables registrars to undertake AST outside of their home RTO region. More than one AST may also be undertaken where the conditions outlined in the policy are met.

QHRSS Holders

Queensland Health Rural Scholarship Scheme (QHRSS) holders should be aware that, unless AST is undertaken in a rural location approved for service period, it does not count as return of service. A Scholarship Agreement Variation Request Form will need to be completed upon notification of successful application.

Applicants external to the Pathway

If you are not a Generalist Pathway Trainee and you would like to express interest in undertaking AST, email us.

Disciplines and Locations

Disciplines and Locations

Advanced Skills Training (AST) is offered at various leading facilities around Queensland. Not all AST disciplines are available at all locations. The information below is only a guide; for up-to-date information, please refer to the campaign position list for anaesthetics, O&G, paediatrics, mental health and internal medicine and the RMO Campaign and Regional Training Organisations (RTOs) for other disciplines.

Further advice should be sought from RTOs regarding the current accreditation status of positions at a particular location.

If you are interested in a location that is not currently listed as accredited, please contact the relevant RTO to discuss the possibility of obtaining the appropriate accreditation.

Curriculum statements are available from the ACRRM and RACGP websites.

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Adult Internal Medicine

Bundaberg, Caboolture, Cairns, Gympie, Hervey Bay & Maryborough, Ipswich, Mackay, Mount Isa, Toowoomba, Townsville

Indigenous Health

Atherton, Cairns, Cherbourg, Cooktown, Gladstone, Goondiwindi, Hervey Bay & Maryborough, Innisfail, Mackay, Mareeba, Mornington Island, Mossman, Mount Isa, Palm Island, Rockhampton, Roma or Charleville, St George, Thursday Island, Townsville, Weipa, Woorabinda, Yarrabah, provincial and rural Aboriginal Medical Services locations

Key Dates

Key Dates

Event	Date
AST Campaign information session with Department Directors via teleconference	10am Wednesday 13 March 2019
Applications for Anaesthetics, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Internal Medicine and Mental Health open	9am Tuesday 23 April 2019
Applications for Anaesthetics, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Internal Medicine and Mental Health close	3pm Friday 10 May 2019
Collation of applications and panel shortlisting	Monday 13 – Tuesday 14 May 2019
Interviews conducted via teleconference	Monday 15 – Tuesday 28 May 2019
Ranked candidates presented to hospitals	From Monday 20 May – early June 2019
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 and Mental Health can amend their application to be considered for the RMO Campaign	Monday 3 June 2019
Candidates and Regional Training Organisations (RTOs) notified of outcome of Anaesthetics, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Internal Medicine and Mental Health applications	Early – mid June 2019
RMO Campaign closes	Monday 1 July 2019
RMO Campaign outcome released	Mid October 2019