Overview
Hey everyone!
Welcome to another Wednesday blog post!
Firstly, a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to all the doctors who have successfully been accepted into the Australian GP training program! Welcome aboard!
I hope you’ve had a chance to celebrate this achievement and take a well-earned break after getting through the selection process.
Today, I wanted to focus on the next steps involved in commencing your GP training.
More specifically, this article will explore key considerations when choosing a GP practice for your 1st training placement as a GP registrar.
These include:
Introduction
Job hunting as a 1st year GP Registrar can be very daunting for many reasons.
Firstly, you’ve probably never done this before. Most new GP registrars have spent the majority of their careers working in hospitals and health services where there is standardised remuneration rates, working conditions and benefits. They’re not used to negotiating contracts and looking for the good (and bad) aspects to a GP practice.
Secondly, there isn’t very much information out there on how to choose a GP practice that best suits you and it can feel like you are flying blind. Every Regional Training Organisation (RTO) has different processes about how GP registrars can find their first practices. Some RTO’s let the registrar apply to as many practices as they wish, whereas other RTO’s give registrar’s a shortlist of options to choose from.
The bottom line is that you will have to choose a GP practice to work at when you begin your training as a registrar. So how do you know you’re choosing the right practice for you?
Remember, when you interview with GP practices, the questions go both ways! For the registrar, this is great opportunity to ask questions of the practice (no matter how insignificant you think it is). It is also a good opportunity for the practice to get to know you.
Here are some key points (and key questions) to ask when you starting visiting (and interviewing at) GP practices in your training area:
1. Supervision
Supervision is arguably the most important part of choosing a GP practice as a registrar.
You want to know:
a) Who is your supervisor?
b) What days and hours does your main supervisor work?
c) Is there a significant overlap between your hours and your supervisor’s hours? → (NB: if there isn’t a significant overlap, this is a red flag)
d) What contingency plans are in place if your supervisor is not available?
Some practices will be happy for another GP to be your supervisor if your allocated supervisor is away. However, it’s worth clarifying this early in the process as there is nothing more anxiety-provoking than flying solo as a first year GP registrar without the support you need.
2. Teaching
Teaching is a HUGE part of choosing a GP practice as a first year registrar. The GP training pathway only allows for two years of teaching in a community general practice setting. Considering the breadth of presentations that can walk into a GP’s door, this is not a lot of time to learn (a lot of) medicine.
You want to know:
a) How often is teaching? (NB: the RACGP has requirements regarding the minimum hours of teaching per week a practice is meant to provide the registrar)
b) Is teaching scheduled or on an ad-hoc basis? (Ideally, you want your teaching time to be an allocated space on the appointment book)
c) What is the structure of teaching? e.g. one-on-one or with other registrars?
d) Will there be opportunities to ask questions in the corridor between patients or at lunchtime?
In addition to in-practice teaching, your Regional Training Organisation will organise teaching for you and your fellow GP registrars. This takes place every one to two weeks and the GP practice is obliged to release you for this teaching.
3. Hours
It’s important to clarify your EXACT hours of work prior to agreeing to work at a practice. You will be required to work a minimum number of hours as a registrar depending on whether you are full time or part time. For example, full time registrars have to complete an average of 38 hours per week, over a 4 week period, including weekends.
You want to know:
a) What days you will be working?
b) What hours will you be working on these days?
c) How long will your lunch break be? (NB this is not including in your 38 hours per week)
d) Will you be working any after-hours or weekend work? If so, how often and will there be supervision?
4. Appointment Times
Managing your appointment book as a GP registrar can mean the difference between an enjoyable day versus a stressful and chaotic day.
You want to know:
a) How many patients you will be expected to see per hour in each stage of your training (NB this shouldn’t be more than 3 patients/hour in the first 6 months as a GP registrar)
b) How long will each appointment be? (Ideally 20-30 mins when you first start out)
c) How many catch up appointments will be booked per session? (ideally 3-4 per session as a new registrar)
d) Will you have allocated administration time? (e.g. to catch up on results, referrals)
5. Billing Practices
General practice is a business. So it is expected that you will discuss money with your future employer. This can be daunting as a registrar but it is good practice for when you will have to do it as a fellowed General Practitioner.
You want to know:
a) How does the practice bill patients? (Bulk billed vs mixed billing vs private billing)
b) Do they have specific private fees? e.g. for certain procedures like skin excisions or intra-articular steroid injections
c) Do they bulk bill certain groups e.g. pensioners, health care card holders, children under 16 years of age
6. Contracts & Remuneration
The contract should specifically outline all of the above points. It should also include your entitlements as an employee (superannuation, annual leave, personal leave).
You want to know:
a) Will you be paid on percentage billings or receipts?
b) What percentage of the above will you receive? (NB the NTCER outlines the minimum requirements)
c) Over what time period will your pay be calculated? (Aim for a shorter billing cycle)
For more information about contracts and remuneration, check out my article here.
7. The ‘Vibe’
The ‘Vibe’ of a practice is an important thing to consider. How did you feel during the interview? What was your interaction like with your supervisor and practice manager? Go with your gut feeling.
Final Thoughts
I hope these tips have provided some guidance for those GP registrars who are about to start job hunting for their first practices.
Remember, it’s hard to know everything about a practice in a single interview. Use your two years of GP training as an opportunity to understand how different GP practices operate. There will be good things and bad things that crop up as you work there. Treat it as a learning experience.
If you’re a GP Registrar or curious about GP training, I’d love to hear from you. Send me a message at askdoctornisha@gmail.com
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