Medical administration
Disclaimer: Training pathway information is current as at June 2021 and is subject to change. Please check and confirm specific details with relevant colleges and health authorities directly.
The Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators Fellowship Training Program is a 3 year (full time equivalent) training pathway divided into 2 phases of foundation and advanced.
Entry requirements/pre-requisites
- General and/or specialist medical registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Agency (AHPRA) or full general medical registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).
- Have no suspension, condition, restriction or undertaking imposed on general and/or specialist registrations that limits having unconditional medical registration in Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand as applicable (unless otherwise specifically approved by the College).
- Completion of PGY3; a minimum of three years full time equivalent clinical experience involving direct patient care.
- Have a RACMA accredited training position or a position that is likely to qualify as a training position (for example, a medical management position which may be a training post or a substantive position that will allow you, as a candidate to develop the appropriate medical management competencies).
Application and selection process
To join the RACMA Fellowship Training Program, candidates must meet the above criteria.
RACMA is responsible for selecting applicants onto the Fellowship Training Program and matching trainees to positions across Australia. Applicants must apply for the Fellowship Training Program with RACMA and also complete their preferencing via the RMO Campaign to secure an employment contract with their allocated Queensland Health facility. Further information can be found here: Medical administration | Queensland Health.
Candidates who change their training post or employer/health organisation during candidacy must notify the College to ensure that any new position is accredited by the College, as if a post is unaccredited, candidates risk this training time not being counted towards their time in supervised practice.
Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience (RPLE): The RPLE process enables applications to seek advanced standing as a result of prior learning and experience. If successful, the level of RPLE awarded can reduce and/or modify the training program for that applicant.
Program requirements
The Fellowship Training Program (FTP) is an integrated model of teaching, learning and aligned assessment activities in eight domains of professional practice that are considered essential for a RACMA Fellow. The eight domains are:
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Communication
- Ethics and Professionalism
- Health Advocacy and Cultural Safety
- Learning, Teaching and Informed Decision Making
- Medical and Health System Expertise
- Medical Leadership
- Medical Management.
Regional training opportunities
RACMA accredits training posts within health services and other health organisations by assessing the supervision, executive/medical management structure, health setting training infrastructure and support services. Candidates who change their training post/employer during Candidacy must notify the College immediately. It is a mandatory requirement of the Fellowship Training Program that Candidates remain in an accredited training post for the duration of their training. If a Candidate moves into a position that is not accredited they may risk their training time not being counted towards time in supervised practice.
The following tables outlines the General Medicine training pathway and stages accredited in the Southern Queensland, Central Queensland and Wide Bay regions:
Medical Administration | 3 years FTE minimum vocational training | |||
Prevocational | Foundation Training | Advanced Training | ||
PGY1 | PGY2+ | 18 months | 18 months | |
Toowoomba | * | * | * | * |
Rockhampton | * | * | * | * |
Bundaberg | * | * | * | * |
Hervey Bay | * | * | * | * |
Career Champions and Useful Links
Medical Colleges and Training
- Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA) - Facebook, LinkedIn
- RACMA Continuing Professional Development Handbook
Peak Bodies and Clinical Networks
- Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM) - YouTube
- Australian Medical Association (AMA)
- Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
- American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM)
Fact Sheets and Guides
Research and Journals
- The Quarterly Online Journal - Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA)
- British Medical Journal (BMJ) Leader
- Australian Health Review (Access via UQ Library Online)
- BMJ Safety and Quality (Access via UQ Library Online)
Social
- onthewards - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube
Career Opportunities and Promotion
Career Champion
To speak with a Career Champion, please contact your local Regional Training Hub Team.