Placement Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to define the principles and requirements for the placement of Registrars in Training Sites.

2. Scope

2.1 This policy applies to:

1. 1. Registrars enrolled on the:
      1. Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program, and
      2. Fellowship Support Program (FSP),
   2. RACGP Staff, and
   3. Training Sites and Supervisors

2.2 This policy is to be read in conjunction with the relevant Training Program Handbooks and Operational Manuals.

2.3 This policy replaces previous regional training organisation policies and will come into effect as of 14 March 2023. For 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 underlying Registrar placement are:

1. 1. Placement processes are equitable and transparent,
   2. Registrars are enabled to fulfill their Education and Training Requirements,
   3. Registrar and patient safety are protected,
   4. Community GP workforce needs are addressed,
   5. Training pipelines are supported,
   6. Registrar and Training Site preferences are considered.

4. AGPT program placement requirements

4.1 AGPT placements must be at a Training Site that meets the requirements detailed in the Accreditation Policy.

4.2 The distribution of available training placements complies with the Department of Health and Aged Care placement distribution requirements and training location requirements as per the Training Program Requirements Policy.

4.3 Registrars are required to meet the training location requirements of their training stream as per the Training Program Requirements Policy.

4.4 Priority placement will be undertaken on pre-determined criteria that address placement imperatives arising from areas of priority.

4.5 Registrars are required to undertake placements that expose the Registrar to:

1. 1. a diversity of patient presentations in relation to age, gender, socioeconomic status, and cultural and linguistic backgrounds as detailed in the Standards for general practice training (3rd edition),
   2. two general practice supervisors and two general practice management systems, as detailed in the Standards for general practice training (3rd edition).
      1. In certain circumstances, there may be challenges to meeting the requirements of clause 4.5i-ii. Where relevant or where there is demonstrated workforce need, the RACGP will support registrars to meet the requirement through alternative models of training.

5. FSP training placement requirements

5.1 FSP Registrars are required to arrange their own placements.

5.2 The FSP Registrar must commence working in the Training Site no later than their Commencement of Training.

1. 1. The Commencement of Training may be delayed where the Registrar is placed on approved Category 4 leave, as per the Leave Policy.

5.3 FSP placements must be at a Training Site that meets the requirements detailed in the Accreditation Policy.

5.4 The RACGP allows FSP Registrars to change Training Sites and/or work in multiple Training Sites provided all Training Sites meet the criteria outlined in 5.3.

6. Conflict of interest

6.1 The placement of Registrars must be conducted independently of members of the RACGP Board, RACGP committees, RACGP faculty councils and training program decision makers.

6.2 RACGP Board members, RACGP committee members, RACGP faculty council members and training program decision makers must not seek to influence or compromise the placement process or outcomes either for themselves or on behalf of another party.

6.3 Conflicts of interest in a placement must be declared to the RACGP in writing and addressed. Conflicts of interest include but are not limited to:

1. 1. a financial investment in a practice by a Registrar or an RACGP staff member involved in the placement process,
   2. an intimate or familial relationship between the Registrar and a Supervisor or practice owner,
   3. any other actual, potential or perceived conflict relating to the placement of a Registrar in a Training Site.

7. Amendment of this policy

The Censor-in-Chief (CiC) may, without the consent of the RACGP Board, make Minor, Moderate and Consequential 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.

8. Responsibilities

8.1 Censor-in-Chief	Approving Minor Amendments Approving Moderate Amendments Approving Consequential Amendments
8.2 RACGP Board	Approving Major Amendments
8.3 Registrar	Declaring any Conflict of Interest relating to their placement Engaging in the placement process for their Training Program Ensuring they are meeting the requirements of the Training Program Requirements Policy.

 

9. Glossary

9.1 Conflict of Interest	A situation in which it is reasonable to conclude that an individual’s or group of individuals’ personal interests directly conflict with the best interests of the Registrar, or where individuals’ actions may be influenced by their personal interests rather than education and training outcomes. A Conflict of Interest includes, but is not limited to, when: close personal friends or family members are involved, an individual or their close friends or family members may make financial gain or gain some other form of advantage, and an individual is bound by prior agreements or allegiances to other individuals or agencies that require them to act in the interests of that person or agency or to take a particular position on an issue.
9.2 Consequential Amendment	An amendment that requires urgent implementation as a necessary result of an amendment to another policy or process.
9.3 Core Vocational Training	General practice terms: (GPT)1, GPT2, GPT3 and Extended Skills Training terms of the AGPT program.
9.4 Education and Training Requirements	The mandatory components of the Registrar’s RACGP-Approved Program as defined in the relevant Registrar handbook.
9.5 Extenuating and Unforeseen Circumstances	Circumstances which are outside the Registrar’s control and can reasonably be considered to have been unforeseen, and can be shown to have a direct and significant impact on the Registrar. The RACGP considers Extenuating and Unforeseen Circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
9.6 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).
9.7 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.
9.8 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).
9.9 Modified Monash Model	The Modified Monash Model (2019) (MMM) is a classification system that categorises metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas according to both geographical remoteness and town size. The MMM classification for any given area can be found by using the locator tool on the Doctor Connect website.
9.10 Priority Placement	The RACGP will provide priority placements to certain cohorts of Registrars, including but not limited to: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Registrars, Registrars with Extenuating and Unforeseen Circumstances, Rural pathway Registrars, who will be given priority for placement at rural Training Sites, Registrars interested in working in a difficult to fill location or an area of workforce need, and Registrars identified as having special training needs, including remediation or Australian Defence Force registrars. The RACGP will provide priority placements to certain Training Sites, including but not limited to: Training Sites in hard to fill locations or areas of workforce need, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health services.
9.11 RACGP Staff	Anyone who is an employee or contractor of the RACGP.
9.12 Registrar	A medical practitioner enrolled in the: Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program, Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS), or Fellowship Support Program (FSP).
9.13 Training Program	Either the: Australian General Practice Training (AGPT) program, or Fellowship Support Program (FSP).
9.14 Training Site	A health service accredited by the RACGP where the Registrar may undertake their general practice training. For AGPT Registrars, this excludes the mandatory hospital training time.

10. Related documents, legislation and policies

• Training Program Requirements Policy
• Dispute, Reconsideration and Appeals Policy
• Accreditation Policy

11. 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.