How to Become a Trainer

INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ACCREDITED GP TRAINER
WITH WENTWEST LIMITED?

REWARDING – CHALLENGING – SATISFYING
GROW THE GP PROFESSION

About WentWest

WentWest is the Regional Training Provider for the Australian General Practice Training Program in western Sydney, and also provides Division of General Practice services to more than 200 practices in the local government areas of Auburn, Blacktown, Holroyd and Parramatta.

The training area extends from Carlingford in the east to Mt Victoria in the west and up to the Hawkesbury, and also encompasses the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Nepean Divisions of General Practice.

WentWest has been delivering vocational training for GP Registrars since 2002.

The Australian General Practice Training Program is delivered in accordance with the standards of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and policies of GPET (General Practice Education and Training), and includes local input to reflect the health needs of the local communities.

The GP Training Program

Program consists of three years of which a minimum of 18 months is spent in accredited teaching practices, where the GP Registrar completes their GPT1 (Basic), GPT2 (Advanced) and GPT3 (Subsequent) terms. The remaining time is spent in either hospital terms; gaining special skills experience; or undertaking an academic training post.

The terms are a graduated apprenticeship and are structured in such a way to ensure that education has priority over service.

Trainer Levels

• Level 1 Trainer:
  • Trainers Registrars in their first 12 months of GP training;
  • Greater time commitment required;
  • Financial remuneration for both teaching time and practice subsidy.
• Level 2 Trainer:
  • Trains Registrars in their second 12 months of GP training;
  • Entry level for Trainer Accreditation.

What is Generally Required from You?

GP Trainers

• TIME;
• Enthusiasm;
• Patience;
• Ongoing professional Trainer development;
• In-practice supervision;
• Individualised approach to Registrar Learning needs;
• Regular dedicated teaching time;
• Registrar progress feedback;
• Established practitioner (at least 4 years);
• Fellow of the RACGP or experienced doctor;
• Ability to satisfy the criteria outlined in the RACGP Standards for Trainers and Training Posts.

The Training/Learning Practice

• Established, accredited practice;
• Sufficient patient base offering full range of GP service;
• Offers continuity of care;
• Separate consulting room for the Registrar.

Further GP Trainer Requirements

Before agreeing to accept Registrars into their practices, potential teaching Practices and Trainers need to be confident about their ability to accommodate the requirements of GP Registrars. This will be confirmed by us prior to the accreditation by the RACGP.

Where there is more than one vocationally registered GP working in the practice, the role of Trainer can be shared.

Supervision Requirements of Registrars

Term	On-site supervision (during office hours)
Basic (GPT1) – Month 1	100%
Basic (GPT1) – Months 2-6	80%
Advanced (GPT2) – Months 7-12	50%
SGPE (GPT3) – Month 13 onwards	25%

National Minimum Terms and Conditions Allocation of Registrar Hours

Entitlement for – 38 Hours per week full-time	Basic Terms (GPT1)	Advanced Terms (GPT2)
Patient consulting time	28½ – 29 hours	31½ hours
Teaching time	3 hours	1½ hours
Educational release	3½ hours	1¾ hours
Administration time	2½ – 3 hours	3¼ hours
Administration including report writing is expected to occur during ordinary hours. Part time is 50% of the full time entitlement regardless of the number of hours / sessions conducted.

For your information, you will be required to enter into a Trainer Agreement with WentWest one of the requirements in the Trainer Agreement is:

WentWest will provide a minimum of three (3) days (or equivalent hours) of educational meetings/workshops each year specifically for Trainers and it is expected that Trainers will attend at least two (2) of these meetings.

What Can WentWest Offer Trainers?

• A qualified doctor currently in VOCATIONAL post graduate training;
• Reducing the patient workload of the principal;
• Adding a teaching dimension to the life of the GP principal;
• Trainer mentoring;
• Comprehensive support and training;
• Financial support toward attendance at GP Trainer related conferences and education activities at various times throughout the year;
• Financial Remuneration for both teaching time and practice subsidy (Level 1 Trainers).

The WentWest Process

• Potential Trainer contacted
• Expression of Interest Pack (EOI) given
• EOI returned and if suitable:
  • WW conducts a preliminary practice visit;
  • Trainer's teaching requirements clarified;
  • RACGP application form provided for completion;
  • RACGP returned to WentWest for assessment and approval prior to submission to the RACGP for accreditation;
  • Following notification from the RACGP that accreditation has been granted, WW offers a formal Trainer Agreement and once signed by all Trainers in the practice and returned Registrar placements can be co-ordinated.

PLEASE NOTE: Practices that submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) do not automatically proceed to the accreditation application stage. EOI submissions are evaluated on the basis of trainer and practice suitability and the training needs of WentWest’s region.

 

Who Can I Contact At WentWest For More Information?

If you have any questions regarding becoming a GP Trainer with WentWest, please contact our Trainer Support Coordinator, Susie Griffin, on (02) 8833 8005 or via email at: training@wentwest.com.au.

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