As part of the Advanced Skills application process, your mentor will need to accept payment via the RACGP's payGP system. This allows the RACGP to pay your mentor for the support they provide you. Your mentor must complete this paperwork before your Advanced Skills application is approved by the RACGP.
The RACGP will use your mentor’s contact details as provided in your application and support your mentor through the process of completing their paperwork. If your mentor experiences ongoing difficulties regarding their paperwork, the RACGP will notify you as soon as possible so you can nominate a new mentor.
Mentors must accept their paperwork by 21 March 2022 to allow members to complete their application.
How do I find a mentor?
It is the responsibility of participants to secure their own Advanced Skills Mentor. Mentors do not need to be GPs. They can be any health professional that is registered with AHPRA that has an expertise in treatment of AOD use.
For most applicants, the easiest way to secure an Advanced Skills Mentor will be to approach a colleague from their practice or a GP in their region who is experienced in supporting patients experiencing problems with their AOD use.
Alternatively, participants may consider approaching their local AOD treatment service provider.
Possible Mentors:
- GP
- Clinical Nurse Practitioner
- Addiction Medicine Specialist
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Pain Medicine Specialist
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Health worker
- Pharmacist that dispenses buprenorphine/naloxone and methadone
I’ve been asked to be an Advanced Skills Mentor. What am I being asked to do?
A potential Advanced Skills Mentor is an AOD expert professional registered with AHPRA.
As a Mentor, you’ll be required to support a participant to develop and implement their 20-hour AOD Personalised Learning Plan. This will require a minimum of 6 hours of your time throughout the participant’s training.
As a Mentor you’ll receive a one-off reimbursement payment of $1,500 (including superannuation and subject to relevant taxation) for supporting an Advanced Skills participant to complete the program.
If a Mentor has capacity, they’re able to support up to 3 Advanced Skills participants.
Access Mentor Guide