Employment details
Reports to: MD Program Director
Employment fraction: Casual
Location: Hybrid – Virtual and NewMed Brisbane office (Level 7, 179 Turbot Street) + Up to 4 in person meetings per year
Department: Academic
About New Medical Education Pty Ltd
Federation University Australia, in partnership with NewMed, is establishing a new medical school to address Australia’s urgent need for more doctors, particularly in primary care. This shortage is felt most acutely in rural, regional, and outer-urban communities. Federation and NewMed bring a shared commitment to address this critical gap through co-operative workplace learning, health professional education and research, with a strong emphasis on primary healthcare and a strong commitment to First Nations peoples and communities.
This new School of Medicine, operating on a full fee-paying basis, offers a contemporary curriculum grounded in the latest pedagogical evidence. Together, we aim to provide a new generation of doctors equipped to serve communities where they are needed most.
About the position
To oversee the recruitment, support, and development of General Practitioners (GPs) involved in NewMed student placements. This role ensures that GPs are appropriately selected, adequately trained, and well supported to provide high-quality teaching and mentorship for students during their clinical placements.
Key collaborations:
- General Practice Discipline Lead
- Year Coordinators
- Other GP Placement Leads
- Placement administrative staff
Key responsibilities
- Participate in interviews and practice assessments to identify and engage suitable GPs to supervise students during placements, including in-person practice visits at least once before signing Organisational Placement Agreements.
Training and Development:
- Ensure supervisors are familiar with the School of Medicine MD Program and objectives of the student placement program and assessment requirements.
- Support and be able to assist with the cluster model, as a learning community (community of practice).
- Assist with delivery of training programs for GP supervisors on topics such as supervision, clinical teaching, coaching, mentoring, and feedback techniques.
- Promote and contribute to ongoing professional development opportunities for GPs in their educational roles.
- Identify areas of high quality education practice and share with other practices/clusters and the broader MD program.
Support for GP Supervisors:
- Act as the first point of contact for GP supervisors in your State, providing guidance, training and addressing concerns. This could include GP concern about the student. Escalate to GP discipline lead as required.
- Applying the community of practice model, foster a supportive network among GP supervisors through forums, workshops, or peer support groups.
- With the GP Discipline Lead and Deputy Lead, contribute to an acknowledgement system for GP supervisors and their practices including (but not limited to): acknowledgement of their Supervision contribution online and with certificates; assisting with streamlining CPD requirements.
Monitoring placement experience and liaison role:
- Support and monitor the performance of GP supervisors through feedback from students and periodic evaluations, as planned in the MD Program evaluation program.
- Be able to visit GP practices annually and when needed: to provide direct observation and feedback for learning’ ;
- Where appropriate, work with GP placement sites to implement quality improvement initiatives based on feedback and performance reviews.
Collaboration and Communication:
- Work with other medical schools, RACGP & ACRRM, relevant training bodies, primary health networks, and practice managers, to coordinate placements in a spirit of collaboration.
- Ensure clear communication of placement objectives and expectations to all stakeholders.
- Maintain engagement with stakeholders.
- When required, represent the medical school at meetings and events related to medical education.
- Attendance at periodic workshops in Brisbane (dates can be discussed during interview)
Key Skills and Attributes
- Strong understanding of medical education and the GP role in training medical students.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the Federation University MD Program, Mission and Values.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Respected role model for GP colleagues: genuinely enthusiastic about General Practice and/or Rural Generalism.
- Organisational and time management skills to oversee multiple stakeholders and processes.
- Ability to provide constructive feedback and mentorship to colleagues, including difficult conversations when required.
- Commitment to promoting high standards in medical education and patient care.
Qualifications and Experience
- Speciality registration with Ahpra in General Practice/Rural Generalist Medicine, or recency of practice within the past 5 years, with significant experience in General Practice practice within Australia.
- Prior involvement in medical education and clinical supervision.
- Leadership or management experience is desirable.
- Ability to liaise with diversity of clinical practices, including different practice models.
- Ability to travel to urban, regional and rural areas within the state, as required for practice visits, training, support and networking.
- (Desirable): Familiarity with the AMC Standards for Primary Medical Programs.
Performance Indicators
- Positive responses from GP supervisors to training provided.
- Thoughtful gathering and reviewing feedback from supervisors
- Timely engagement and consultation when a GP supervisor contacts the GP State Lead regarding learning, feedback, miscommunication, or fitness-to-practice concerns
- Evidence of effective management of concerns/complaints, including how the resolution of concerns improved student and/or supervisor trust in the MD program.
- Evidence of engagement with the broader community regarding the MD program and the students in the community.
