Academic Posts Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the principles and requirements of the application and selection process for completing an Academic Post.

2. Scope

2.1 This policy applies to:

1. 1. all Registrars:

      1. interested in applying for an Academic Post, or

      2. currently undertaking an Academic Post, and

   2. RACGP Staff.

2.2 This policy should be read in conjunction with the Academic post application guide, AGPT Registrar Training handbook and Staff training manual.

2.3 This policy replaces the previous Academic Posts Policy and the AGPT Program Academic Posts Policy 2020 and will come into effect on the start date of the first term of the AGPT Program in 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent that there is any inconsistency between the previous policy and this policy, the terms of this policy apply.

3. General principles

3.1 The principles that underpin Academic Posts are:

1. 1. providing Registrars with exposure to the general practice research and academic environment,

   2. building the skills of Registrars in research, teaching and critical thinking,

   3. supporting Registrars to incorporate academic work in their clinical practice and long-term careers, and

   4. supporting research in general practice.

3.2 The principles that underpin the processes supporting Academic Posts ensure:

1. 1. the availability of Academic Posts to Registrars enrolled in the AGPT Program,

   2. a fair and equitable application and selection process, and

   3. support is provided to Registrars while undertaking an Academic Post.

4. Application and selection process

4.1 Registrars are eligible to apply for an Academic Post provided they meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Academic post application guide.

4.2 If eligible, the Registrar may apply for both an Academic Post and a Specialised Academic Post.

4.3 A medical educator will support the Registrar to identify how the post will fit within their training plan and develop their application, including developing a research and teaching proposal.

4.4 The research and teaching proposal must demonstrate a meaningful collaboration with a university department of general practice and/or rural clinical school.

4.5 Registrars applying for a Specialised Academic Post must complete additional application requirements outlined in the Academic post application guide.

4.6 Registrars applying for the post as an Additional Rural Skills Training (ARST) post must gain approval from the Rural Censor.

4.7 The Academic Assessment Panel (AAP) will select Academic Registrars by fairly and equitably assessing applications against the selection criteria outlined in the Academic post application guide.

1. 1. The RACGP will collaborate with relevant stakeholders to select applicants for Specialised Academic Posts after the AAP assessment.

4.8 Registrars who apply for a second consecutive Academic Post must meet the eligibility and selection criteria of first-time applicants and the additional criteria outlined in the Academic post application guide.

5. Completing an Academic Post

5.1 Successful Academic Registrars must:

1. 1. commence their Academic Post at the beginning of their training term in the next calendar year after a successful application,

   2. not obtain Fellowship whilst undertaking the Academic Post,

   3. complete the Academic Post part time (0.5 Full-Time Equivalent [FTE]) over 52 calendar weeks, and

   4. attend stipulated compulsory support activities throughout the Academic Post.

5.2 The Academic Post is typically undertaken concurrently with clinical training at 0.5 FTE over 52 calendar weeks, however, Academic Registrars may apply to reduce or waive concurrent clinical training.

1. 1. All decisions to reduce or waive concurrent clinical training are at the discretion of the relevant Censor.

5.3 Academic Registrars may undertake Academic Posts as part of:

1. 1. RACGP Core Vocational Training (as a GPT2, GPT3 or Extended Skills Training term), or

   2. extended training time prior to obtaining Fellowship, or

   3. RACGP – Rural Generalist Fellowship training as an ARST post.

5.4 Registrars may apply for leave from the Academic Post as provided for under the Leave Policy.

6. Amendment of this policy

The Censor-in-Chief (CiC) may, without the consent of the RACGP Board, make Minor, Moderate and Extenuating Amendments to this policy at any time. 

If the CiC makes amendments, they must advise the RACGP Board of those amendments as soon as practicable. 

The RACGP Board may make amendments to this policy at any time.

7. Responsibilities

7.1 Academic Assessment Panel	Assessing applications against the selection criteria outlined in the Academic post application guide
7.2 Censor-in-Chief	Approving Minor Amendments Approving Moderate Amendments Approving Consequential Amendments
7.3 RACGP Board	Approving Major Amendments
7.4 RACGP	Supporting Registrars to apply to an Academic Post where required Administering the funding for Academic Posts Working with the relevant university or academic institution to facilitate Academic Posts
7.5 Registrar	Meeting the requirements of the policy Collaborating with a suitable research supervisor in a university department of general practice and/or rural clinical school Attending all support activities, including workshops and webinars Completing and submitting all report requirements by the advertised due date
7.6 Rural National Faculty	Approving Academic Posts to be undertaken as ARST posts
7.7 The relevant university/academic institution	Providing an appropriate academic supervisor for the Registrar, supporting the Registrar through the application process and endorsing the Registrar’s Academic Post application Ensuring academic supervision for the duration of the Academic Post. This includes meeting regularly with the Academic Registrar to monitor research progress, allocating appropriate teaching tasks, providing guidance and feedback, and involving the Registrar in daily departmental activities. Negotiating an employment contract for the successful Academic Registrar with the National team Reviewing and completing any reports required during the Academic Post

8. Glossary

8.1 Academic Post	A 0.5 FTE research and medical education term undertaken as part of the AGPT program over 52 calendar weeks.
8.2 Academic Registrar	The medical practitioner enrolled in the AGPT program who has been accepted for an Academic Post position.
8.3 Additional Rural Skills Training (ARST)	52 calendar weeks (FTE) in an accredited training post that provides the appropriate depth and breadth of experience necessary to meet the requirements of the particular ARST curriculum.
8.4 Consequential Amendment	An amendment that requires urgent implementation as a necessary result of an amendment to another policy or process.
8.5 Core Vocational Training	General practice term (GPT) 1, GPT2, GPT3 and Extended Skills Training Term of the AGPT Program.
8.6 Extended Skills Training	A 26-calendar week (FTE) term undertaken to extend the depth and breadth of the Registrar’s skill base in an area relevant to general practice.
8.7 Fellowship	Admittance to either: Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP), or FRACGP and Rural Generalist Fellowship (FRACGP-RG).
8.8 Full-Time Equivalence (FTE)	The RACGP determines FTE to mean 38 hours per week and includes all practice time, education, and Training Program activities – the composition of which will vary depending upon the Registrars stage of training.
8.9 Major Amendment	An amendment that materially changes the operation of the policy but is not otherwise a Minor or Moderate Amendment (ie a change to one major clause or policy review).
8.10 Minor Amendment	An amendment to style, to correct grammatical mistakes, change overall formatting, make updates that do not materially change meaning, or any other amendment, which in the opinion of the Censor-in-Chief, does not materially alter the operation of the policy.
8.11 Moderate Amendment	An amendment that materially changes the operation of a policy by a limited amount (ie a change to one minor clause, or changes that have a limited impact on the outcome of the policy).
8.12 National Team	The team overseeing the overall governance and coordination of the training program, that provides high-level educational leadership and resourcing, and supports generic activities to enable efficient and effective training delivery in the regions and local areas with a national consistency.
8.13 RACGP Staff	Anyone who is an employee or contractor of the RACGP.
8.14 Regional team	The team that manages a training region and provides support to the local team with specialised resources and expertise. Includes a registrar liaison officer and cultural educator. They may be involved in accreditation of training sites and educational workshops.
8.15 Registrar	A medical practitioner enrolled in the: Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) Program,  Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS), or Fellowship Support Program (FSP).
8.16 Specialised Academic Post	A Specialised Academic Post is an Academic Post where some requirements are predetermined. These terms count towards training in the same way as a standard Academic Post.

9. Related documents, legislation and policies

• Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy
• Academic post application guide
• AGPT Registrar Training handbook
• AGPT staff training manual

10. Policy review and currency

This policy will be reviewed every three calendar years from the last approval date, or when there is a significant change in the intent of the policy. This policy remains valid and applicable notwithstanding if it is overdue for review.