Practice Experience Program Specialist (PEP SP) Participant Handbook - Substantially Comparable Stream

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Important concepts

Practice Experience Program Specialist (PEP SP) Participant Handbook - Substantially Comparable Stre
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Let’s get you started

Important concepts

Before we get into the specifics of the program, there are three important concepts we would like to introduce as they’ll help you navigate your way through the PEP SP:


The following definitions of full-time and part-time work will apply while you work in your RACGP-approved practice:

Full-time general practice experience is defined as at least 38 hours distributed over a minimum of four days per week. A minimum of 27 hours must be in face-to-face, rostered, patient consultation time undertaking general practice activities. Work periods of less than three consecutive hours, or of less than four calendar weeks in any one practice will not be considered. Hours worked beyond this fulltime definition will not be considered.
► A participant working full time is defined as 1.0 Full Time Equivalent (FTE).

Part-time general practice experience is defined as at least 14.5 hours distributed over a minimum of two days per week, of which at least 10.5 hours is face-to-face, rostered, patient consultation time, undertaking general practice activities. Work periods of less than three consecutive hours, or of less than four calendar weeks in any one practice will not be considered.
► A part-time participant’s FTE status is calculated by dividing the participant’s scheduled weekly hours by the number of hours for an official weekly full-time load, eg a participant working 19 hours per week is a 0.5 FTE (= 19 ÷ 38).


The program time cap, or program maximum timeframe, is a requirement set by the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) in their Standards: Specialist medical college assessment of specialist international medical graduates. It refers to the maximum amount of time you can remain on the program from the day you start work in your approved practice in Australia to the day you are admitted to FRACGP.

  • If you are working in your practice on a full-time basis, your time cap is one calendar year (12 calendar months).
  • If you are working in your practice on a part-time basis, your time cap is two calendar years (24 calendar months) pro-rata, i.e. it will be calculated proportionally to your FTE status. The lower the hours worked per week, the longer your maximum timeframe will be, up to a limit of 24 calendar months.

The following table is for example purposes only; your exact program time cap will be communicated to you when you start the PEP SP.

Hours worked per week Maximum Timeframe (months)
38 12
24 19
20 22.8
18 24
15 24


The training program, also referred to as Part D, is the period that commences on the day you start work in your approved practice in Australia and during which you must complete the program’s educational activities and workplace-based assessments (WBAs).

Regardless of your full-time or part-time status your training program will last six calendar months. If you are unable to complete the program within six-calendar months, you may discuss an extension with your Medical Educator.


 



Figure 2: PEP SP Journey on SC stream

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