Fact Sheet

The NSW Rural Generalist Training Program aims to build a sustainable medical workforce that meets the

healthcare needs of rural communities. The program is a supported pathway to a career as a GP providing

primary care in a rural community and advanced procedural services at the local health service.

Definition

A Rural Generalist is a medical practitioner who provides primary care to a rural community whilst being

credentialed at the local health service to provide procedural / advanced skills on their chosen speciality

(obstetrics and gynaecology and/or anaesthetics).

Position: Rural Generalist

Speciality: General Practice

Training pathway

Rural Generalist Trainees will receive an employment contract with the Local Health District (LHD) for the

time training in the hospital and a training agreement outlining activities for the length of the training

program, including options for further additional advanced skills training or Community General Practice

training.

• Entry from PGY2 - GP Vocational training

• PGY3 – Procedural / Advanced skills training (anaesthetics, obstetrics and gynaecology)

• PGY4/5 – Community General Practice training and/or additional advanced skills training (emergency medicine, mental health, surgery, paediatrics)

• Credentialed to provide procedural services at a rural facility

• Fellowship FACRRM or FRACGP & FARGP

• Employment as GP / Visiting Medical Officer (VMO)

The State-wide Director and Regional Directors of Training administer the program locally and work with

the Local Health Districts and Regional Training Providers (RTPs) to accredit speciality areas for

procedural / advanced skills training, to support the supervisors at the training posts, to monitor log books

and training progress and to assist individuals to meet learning objectives leading to certification as a Rural Generalist.

NSW Rural Generalist Training Program

Do you want …

• a career in medicine with variety and satisfaction?

• a rural lifestyle only minutes from your work?

• to practice across the range of General Practice from community to

hospital care?

The Trainee will be allocated a GP mentor and a hospital based clinical supervisor where procedural /

advanced skills training is undertaken and will work with the State-wide Director, Regional Directors and the

RTPs for the duration of the training agreement. Assistance will be given to identify employment

opportunities in a rural General Practice with VMO status at a rural health facility to provide procedural / advanced skills at the conclusion of the rural generalist training program.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible to apply for selection the candidate must meet the following requirements:

• Must be enrolled in or intending to enrol in a General Practice Education and Training Program (FACRRM or FRACGP and FARGP)

• Must be registered or eligible for registration with the Medical Board of Australia

• Demonstrated commitment to rural practice and rural communities

Please note: An interest in advanced skills training in obstetrics and gynaecology and/or anaesthetics is a

requirement of the position.

How to apply

Information on how and when to apply for General Practice Education and Training (GPET) can be

accessed at www.gpet.com.au

Rural Generalist positions will be advertised as part of the annual Junior Medical Officer Recruitment

campaign. Information on recruitment dates and how to apply may be accessed at

www.health.nsw.gov.au/jmo

Number of trainees

15 training positions will be offered state-wide each year.

Trainee employment arrangements

While working in the NSW public health system Rural Generalist trainees will be employed under the Public

Hospital Medical Officers award.

Fellowship

Trainees completing the program will have successfully gained FACRRM or FRACGP + FARGP and be

credentialed to work as a GP in a General Practice as well as providing VMO services and procedural / advanced skills in a chosen speciality at a rural or regional hospital.

Further information

If you are interested in the Rural Generalist Training Program or would like to get more information please

register your interest at www.heti.nsw.gov.au or contact HETI Rural and Remote Portfolio, Senior Project

Officer Craig Shields at cshields@heti.nsw.gov.au , by telephone on 6361 4558 or Dr Richard Abbott,

Statewide Director of Training at rabbott@heti.nsw.gov.au .

Disclaimer: This fact sheet is designed to provide you with general information on the Rural Generalist Training Program. This document is not

endorsed by either general practice training college (RACGP or ACRRM). If you require independent advice on the training curriculum and

fellowship requirements you should contact the colleges or a regional training provider.

Local Health

District (LHD)

Rural Training

Provider (RTP)

Telephone Contact

Web Site

Western NSW

Beyond Medical

Education

02 6334 4359

www.beyondmedical.com.au

Far West NSW

Mid North

Coast

North Coast GP

Training

02 6681 5711

www.ncgpt.org.au

Northern NSW

Murrumbidgee

Coast City Country

02 6923 5400

www.ccctraining.org

Southern NSW

Illawarra

Shoalhaven

Hunter New

England

GP Training Valley

to Coast

02 4968 6753

www.gptvtc.com.au/site

GP Synergy

02 9818 4433

www.gpsynergy.com.au

Statewide

Remote Vocational

Training Scheme

02 6057 3400

www.rvts.org.au

Australian College

Rural & Remote

Medicine

07 3105 8200

www.acrrm.org.au

If you are interested in a rewarding career in rural practice and

providing an expanded service to a rural community, either contact one

of the Regional Training Providers (above) or the HETI Rural and

Remote Portfolio Senior Project Officer, Craig Shields:

Locked Bag 6008

BLOOMFIELD, NSW 2800

Phone: 02 6361 4558

Email : cshields@heti.nsw.gov.au

www.heti.nsw.gov.au

Regional Training Providers

The NSW Rural Generalist Training Program (RGTP) is a four year program

with earliest entry at the Post Graduate Year (PGY) 2 year to align with entry

into general practice training. Interns, PGY 2, PGY 3 and PGY 4 trainees are

welcome to apply for entry into the program. Trainees applying in their PGY

2+ years can apply directly for advanced skills training positions. Lateral

entry to the program is possible if there are vacant advanced skills training

positions. The Program consists of the PGY2 hospital year, advanced skills

training year and two years of community general practice training.

Trainees must be enrolled in a general practice training program to meet the

RGTP requirements. Trainees may join the Australian General Practice

Training (AGPT), Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS) or the

ACRRM Independent Pathway.

Ta

ble

1:

Ill

ust

rate

s th

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rain

ing

pa

thw

ay

NSW Rural Generalist Training Program Pathway

NSW HEALTH

MEDICAL OFFICER CAREER

PATHWAY

RURAL GENERALIST

TRAINING PROGRAM

PATHWAY

POST

GRADUATE

YEAR (PGY)

LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT

ENGAGEMENT

REGIONAL TRAINING PROVIDER

ENGAGEMENT

FUNDING

STRUCTURE

University Medical Student

(Year 5)

N/A

Marketing Strategy

Marketing Strategy

PGY1

1

Marketing Strategy, EOI

Marketing Strategy, EOI

Commonwealth

Prevocational Funding

PGY2

Rural Generalist

Year 1

2

Apply for Rural Generalist Program

Apply for GP Vocational Training

Program

Commonwealth

Prevocational Funding

PGY3

Rural Generalist

Year 2

3

Advanced Skills Training #

(2013 Anaesthesia/Obstetrics) ^

HETI RG Funding

PGY4

Rural Generalist

Year 3

4

Advanced Skills Training #

(2013 Anaesthesia/Obstetrics) ^

Community GP Training

Use AST skills if appropriate

Commonwealth

GPET Funding

RMO4/Registrar

Rural Generalist

Year 4

5

Advanced skills training #

(2013 Anaesthesia/Obstetrics) ^

Community GP Training

Use AST skills if appropriate

Commonwealth

GPET Funding

Rural Generalist

Fellowship FACRRM or

FRACGP & FARGP

5 +

Employment as GP/VMO

Independent Practice Credentialed to

provide procedural services at Rural

Facility

# Under the flexible learning pathway the opportunity to undertake 12 months Advanced Skills post is possible during PGY3, 4 or 5 years

^ 2013 Advanced SkillsTraining offer of Anaesthesia and/or Obstetrics only. Emergency, Mental Health, Surgery, Paediatrics training will be eventually introduced. G

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