Procedural/rural generalist training

What is a procedural GP?

Procedural GPs are doctors who have a specialised skill in a particular area of medicine, such as:

• GP Obstetrician
• GP Anaesthetist
• GP Emergency Physician, etc

Find out more by watching this short video of  Dr Scott Finlay – a Sydney futures broker, turned procedural GP. Based in Moree in northern NSW, he shares the reasons behind his passion to deliver babies and primary healthcare to rural communities and what life is like as a procedural GP.

Why are procedural GPs important?

In many large regional centres (i.e. Tamworth, Orange, Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, etc), there are hospitals which offer specialist services that are provided by staff specialists. In many smaller rural communities, hospitals do not have staff specialists, and procedural GPs play an important role in servicing this healthcare gap.

Where can you train and where can you practise your skills?

Where doctors undertake procedural GP training and where they can use these skills is generally different. It depends on several factors such as the type of procedural skill, and for GP registrars, the supervision available and their training location obligations.

Visit our training post locations page for a map and more information.

How can you become a procedural GP?

 There are two training programs available for doctors seeking to become a procedural GP in NSW:

• NSW Rural Generalist (Medical) Training Program:
  • 12-month program offering 12 month advanced skills posts funded by the Health Education Training Unit (HETI).
  • Only available for application by GP trainees on the Australian General Practice Training Program (AGPT), Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS), or the independent pathways of the GP colleges.
  • Doctors in the process of applying for the AGPT program can apply for an RG position, however RG offers will only be made upon successful entry into the AGPT program.

• NSW Rural GP Procedural Training Program (GPPTP)
  • A concurrent program funded by HETI for procedural training which offers some of the same disciplines as the RG program.
  • Only accessible to doctors who already have vocational training qualifications (FRACGP/FACRRM), however GP registrars can apply and gain places if the site is offering GPPTP procedural training places only.

When can you apply for procedural training?

RG Program:

•  RG Foundation Year:
  • Doctors can apply from PGY1 to be part of the RG Foundation Year.
  • This initiative is designed to help doctors prepare for advanced skills training prior to entering a post.
  • Foundation Year trainees may be provided with preferential placement for subsequent advanced skills training places.
  • Applications for the Foundation Year are not restricted to junior registrars – applications can be made at any stage of GP training.
  • Further information about the Foundation Year can be found at the HETI website
• Advanced Skills Training Year:
  • Applications for the Advanced Skills Training Year can be made from PGY2 onwards for PGY3 start.
  • Further information about the Advanced Skills Training Year can be found at the HETI website.

GPPT Program:

• Applications for the Advanced Skills Training Year can be made from PGY2 onwards for PGY3 start.
• Further information about the Advanced Skills Training Year can be found at the HETI website.

How can you apply for procedural training?

Applications for advanced skills training posts are to be made (as per normal JMO recruitment) via NSW Health online Annual Medical Recruitment (AMR) for first round offers.

Second round offers are advertised by the site themselves and registrars can be directed to the LHD. The Special Education Programs Manager usually knows of any vacancies that are available for these programs.

How does procedural training fit in with the AGPT program?

For doctors pursing Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM), 12 months of procedural skills training counts as the ‘Advanced Specialist Training’ year in the ACRRM program.

For doctors pursuing Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP), in order for you to be able to count 12 months of Advanced Rural Skills Training, you must enrol in the Fellowship of Advanced Rural GP (FARGP) as part of your training.

Where can you go for further information?

• Contact GP Synergy Special Program and Education Manager, Felicity Gemmell-Smith at felicity_gemmell-smith@gpsynergy.com.au or 1300 477 963.
• Visit the HETI website