New training program to tackle doctor shortage

A new training program aimed at fostering best practice in the recruitment of overseas trained doctors will be launched by the medical recruitment industry peak body this week.

The course, Medical Recruitment in Australia, will be offered by the Australian Association of Medical Recruitment Agents (AAMRA), a specialist Member group of the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association (RCSA) to provide guidance for a range of staff working in the industry, including recruiters, medical practice managers, hospital administration staff and employees of relevant Government departments.

ìThe shortage of medical staff is a critical challenge for Australiaís healthcare system and for those involved in staffing it. AAMRA has recognised that any solution relies on increasing understanding of the issues involved, such as the factors causing the shortage, the regulatory framework for recruiting from overseas, and the organisations involved in providing a solution,î CEO of the RCSA, Ms Julie Mills said.

The first module to be offered is Introduction to Medical Recruitment, which provides an overview of the issues, introduces the fundamental concepts, and demonstrates the practical realities of medical recruitment. The remaining five modules will be rolled out over the next 18 months and cover pre- and post-contract regulation, assessment of a medical candidate, pre-departure preparation and difficult or failed recruitment.

ìThe reasons for the growing shortage of doctors in this country are diverse. An ageing workforce, more reasonable working hours, new technology and increasing specialisation are all part of the picture,î Ms Mills said.

ìThe end result is that the pool of local doctors simply isnít big enough, and we need to develop a best practice approach to sourcing them from the global talent pool. This is one of AAMRAís key goals and our new training initiative is a central part of achieving it,î she said.

The self-paced course is designed to be offered flexibly. All courses are delivered and assessed online, and the six modules are offered separately, so that participants can choose the depth to which they cover the material.

For more information on the course or to enrol, please visit the RCSA website at: