Tasmanian Anaesthetic Training Program (TATP)
The TATP provides anaesthesia training at all 3 Tasmanian Health Service (THS) hospitals. It has between 30-35 positions each year including up to 7 provisional fellowship positions, with a variable number of vacancies. All trainees in Tasmania are included in the TATP.
Training positions within the TATP may be either rotational positions or hospital-based positions with opportunities for extended contracts. Provisional fellowship positions are available in Hobart and Launceston, with an application in progress to develop a dedicated rural provisional fellowship at NWRH.
The Tasmanian Anaesthetic Training Program Committee (TATPC) is a sub-committee representing the 3 participating hospitals in the Tasmanian Anaesthetic Training Program and under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health, Tasmania and the ANZCA Tasmanian Regional Committee.
Training Pathway (previously rotational) positions - length of training contracts
The TATP has 30-35 training positions throughout Tasmania. Most trainees are appointed to a length of training contract allowing up to 5 years to complete the 4 years of basic and advanced training. The additional year allows up to 1 year of extended training or interrupted training, part-time training (minimum 0.5 FTE as per ANZCA training requirements) or leave including parental leave. Trainees needing more than one year of additional training should discuss their circumstances with the Supervisor of Training and Rotational Supervisors for case-by-case consideration.
After 5 years as a training pathway trainee, the trainee will need to re-apply to complete any outstanding training requirements. Exceptional circumstances and further consideration of additional flexible training options will be considered on an individual basis.
Trainees will be provided with appropriate clinical opportunities to complete their training requirements during this period including access to the necessary volume of practice, clinical experience, and specialized study units. Trainees who undertake interrupted or extended training may need additional time to complete their training requirements.
In return for this ongoing training commitment, trainees will be expected to rotate between the 3 ANZCA accredited anaesthesia training sites in Tasmania, including the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH), the Launceston General Hospital (LGH), and the North West Regional Hospital (NWRH). Training pathway trainees spend 50% or more of the 4 years of training time at the RHH to complete advanced training requirements including specialized study units.
Criteria to remain in a training pathway position:
- Trainees must continue to achieve satisfactory clinical performance as assessed in accordance with the ANZCA training program.
- Trainees must complete all BT and AT requirements within 5 years including both examinations.
- Trainees are permitted a maximum of 1 FTE year of extended, interrupted or part-time training to complete their training requirements including examinations.
If these criteria are met registrar contracts of employment are offered annually without the need to re-apply through the selection process.
Fixed term (previously hospital or non-rotational) positions
Some trainees are on fixed term contracts. Unlike independent positions in other jurisdictions, all training positions in Tasmania are included, supported, and coordinated by the TATP. During their appointment these trainees accumulate VOP, clinical experience and have access to examination opportunities and scholar role activities.
Fixed-term positions are usually for 12 months. These positions may be filled by provisional fellows, trainees not on length of training contracts, non-Anaesthesia Specialty Trainees (i.e., DEM/ICU Registrars on rotation), International Medical Graduate Specialists, RGA trainees and career medical officers in anaesthesia. Fixed term trainees who have not been offered an extended contract will need to re-apply for ongoing training positions.
Extended contract opportunities
For trainees on fixed term contracts, contract extension for up to 2 years continuous employment (1 year of fixed term employment + 1 year of extension) can be offered for satisfactory performance. Trainees in extended contract positions need to re-apply after 2 years of employment. The conditions to be eligible for contract extension include satisfactory performance and progression as assessed by Supervisors of Training and Directors of Anaesthesia and meeting all training requirements as per ANZCA. Extended contracts are preferred by the TATP but can only be considered when there are positions available.
Flexible training options
The TATP fully supports parental leave, extended training (4 years in 5 years) and part-time training options. Trainees considering LWOP, interrupted training or leave > 12 months are encouraged to discuss their situations with their Supervisor of Training and the Rotational Supervisor for consideration of their options.
Integrated Rural Training Pipeline (IRTP) trainees
The TATP has offered an IRTP position since 2019. This position receives a 5-year STP funded training package with a defined training pathway. It is designed to promote and support training in rural and regional centers, particularly for candidates with an interest and/or connection to long-term rural and regional practice.
RGA trainees are welcomed in the TATP. These positions have a separate Statement of Duties but are included, supported, and coordinated by the TATP. RGA trainees are fixed-term positions, usually for 12 months. RGA candidates apply through the main TATP selection process in June-August of each year. Successful RGA candidates are encouraged to demonstrate a strong relevant career path including regional, rural, and remote settings.
Applicants must be registered as a trainee with RACGP or ACRRM or have completed their RACGP or ACRRM fellowship. Applicants who are still training for their primary fellowship must have successfully completed at least 2 years of that training program. Applicants must have completed an accredited ALS 2 course within 52 calendar weeks prior to commencing RGA training.
If you are applying for provisional fellowship positions, please refer to the specific information provided. To be eligible for any areas of specific interest, the applicant must refer to it within their application.
The TATP offers excellent provisional fellowship positions at the Royal Hobart Hospital and Launceston General Hospital, with up to 5 positions available at RHH and 2 at LGH. These positions are approved by ANZCA for provisional fellowship training and can consider 6-month, 12-month, or longer appointments. The TATP also considers fractional appointments for provisional fellowship candidates to pursue other areas of clinical interest including the trauma fellowship, pain medicine or diving and hyperbaric medicine.
Provisional Fellowship positions in Tasmania allow the successful applicant to develop broad skills and be ready for successful independent specialist practice on completion of their FANZCA. They support the fellow to develop the necessary management and communication skills to complement clinical competence. These appointments are highly rewarding positions in a friendly supportive department that promotes excellence in practice, collaboration, education, and research.
Provisional Fellowships at Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH)
General fellowships at RHH
The Royal Hobart Hospital offers excellent general provisional fellowships with a range and diversity of ongoing clinical experience not matched by many interstate centres. The RHH offers comprehensive and ongoing exposure to trauma, obstetrics, paediatrics and tertiary level services including neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery.
Specific interest fellowships at RHH
As part of a RHH provisional fellowship, successful applicants can identify and pursue areas of clinical interest as part of a comprehensive generalist provisional fellowship program. Options include regional anaesthesia, paediatrics, medical education and simulation, and perioperative medicine.
The Royal Hobart Hospital is pleased to offer a specific Global outreach fellowship which includes involvement in our Global Outreach Program. Opportunities include the Real World Anaesthesia Course, participation in real global outreach programs and excellent mentorship from leaders in the field.
The RHH is proud to provide a responsive and individualised approach to provisional fellowship and can support interests in many fields of clinical and professional practice. Candidates should discuss their specific needs and interests with the TATP for consideration.
Provisional Fellowship at Launceston General Hospital (LGH)
LGH offers up to 2 provisional fellowship positions that allow the successful applicant to pursue interests in rural anaesthesia, major adult anaesthesia, or upper GI anaesthesia.
Rural Provisional Fellowship at Northwest Regional Hospital (NWRH)
The TATP is working on establishing a formal rural provisional fellowship position based at NWRH. Throughout the training program, the TATP has a focus on rural anaesthesia and subject to local conditions there are potential opportunities to pursue a provisional fellowship focused on the skills and demands of specialist practice in a rural or regional setting.
Pain Fellowship
In addition, provisional fellowships in pain medicine and post-fellowship positions in pain medicine are available. These positions provide a great opportunity to develop relevant skills in dedicated specialty units and opportunities to attain further qualifications including a 2-year fellowship in pain medicine FFPMANZCA.
Provisional Fellow/Registrar in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine
In 2020, Royal Hobart Hospital commissioned its brand new, state of the art Hyperbaric treatment facility which also has hypobaric/altitude capability. This unique facility is the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and provides valuable clinical, research and training opportunities.
Opportunities exist to combine a registrar position in anaesthesia with a 6-month term in diving and hyperbaric medicine. Note that a full fellowship year in diving and hyperbaric medicine at Royal Hobart Hospital is also available, which satisfies the time requirements for the ANZCA Adv Cert DHM.
Trauma Registrar and Provisional Fellowship Positions
Anaesthesia provisional fellows may have the opportunity to work with the Trauma Service as a senior registrar / trauma fellow.
Royal Hobart Hospital is Tasmania’s major trauma centre and it is designated as a Level 6 facility in the Tasmanian Role Delineation Framework. RHH receives over 260 major trauma presentations each year.
The Trauma Service is the main inpatient unit responsible for admitting complex and major trauma patients presenting to RHH. The service mission is to champion a safe, effective, and efficient trauma system that provides person-centred care to injured Tasmanians from roadside to rehabilitation.
Fellows will be key contributors to the Trauma Service teaching roster and each fellow will negotiate a research or quality improvement project to be undertaken during their rotation.
The TATP has 2 selection processes per year: one for provisional fellow and/or senior registrar positions and one for BT, AT, IRTP and DRGA positions, with key dates below.
The TATP values fair and wholistic selection processes that are applied to all applicants. There are multiple sources of information for selection and scores are based on the following components:
- Curriculum Vitae (~30%) – score of your CV based on academic achievements (exams/courses/qualifications); interest in Tasmania/rural and regional medicine; and clinical experience (months or years worked in anaesthesia or related to critical care)
- Selection criteria (~30%) – score generated from the selection criteria responses (7 criteria). Each selection criteria is de-identified before it is scored.
- Interview (~30%) – score generated from your interview.
- General impression (~10%) – based on all components of the selection process and on your presentation and performance throughout the selection process.
Shortlisting for interview is based on your written application and includes your curriculum vitae and selection criteria.
Please ensure you are thorough, honest, and relevant in all aspects of your application.
Application to the Tasmanian Anaesthetic Training Program is through a single online application form coordinated by the TATP.
- Selection Criteria (please note a 250 word limit for each statement)
- Referee Contacts x3
- Covering letter
More information about TATP opportunities at our hospitals
The LGH is a vibrant and busy large regional hospital offering two provisional fellowship positions which provide a perfect platform for transitioning from senior registrar to consultant practice.
There are a wide range of opportunities to both consolidate and extend experience in the areas of: general surgery (including upper GI), obstetrics, paediatrics, major orthopaedics, ENT/Head & Neck, urology, ophthalmic surgery & acute pain management.
Additionally, provisional fellows at the LGH are supported to participate in teaching UTAS medical students and prevocational trainees through educational activities including simulation training at the LGH Sim Training Centre.
For more information on the positions, please contact:
Dr Gregg Best
Acting Director, Department of Anaesthesia
Launceston General Hospital
Ph: (03) 6377 7576
Email: gregg.best@ths.tas.gov.au
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