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2022 Rural Generalist Advanced Match2023-09-22T11:14:52+10:00

Rural Generalist Advanced (RGA)

PMCV will administer the Rural Generalist Advanced Skills Match on behalf of the Victorian Rural Generalist Program and the Victorian Department of Health.

Rural Generalist Advanced (RGA) training provides doctors working in rural and regional Victoria with access to training in the additional skills required to meet the medical service needs of their rural communities. Successful completion of at least 12-months training in an advanced skill is a mandatory requirement of Rural Generalist training.

The Victorian Rural Generalist Program have developed Rural Generalist Advanced Post Guidelines for 2022, please find this document within the Reading Material section.

For more information about the positions available including the position descriptions, go to the VRGP website.

RGA Match

Register with PMCV

Match Details in APS

My Application

Match Stage

Closed

Timeline

02/05

Applications Open

19/05

Match Applications Close

20/05

Candidate Video Interview

Candidates are able to record videos from 10am 20 May until 5pm Sunday 22 May

06/06

Assessment Interview Period

Interview period is Monday 6 June to Friday 17 June.

17/06

Match closes for candidates

Final date to delete or reorder preferences or voluntarily withdraw.

01/07

Offers Published

Candidates will be emailed the outcome, with results also available via the APS

Reading Material

Code of conduct

Essential Reading

Business Rules

Essential Reading

Schedule of Dates

Important dates

Candidate Guide

APS User Guide

Priority Groups Flowchart

Determine your Priority Group – Required for RGA application

VRGP RGA Program Guide 2022

VRGP Document

Video Interview

Instructional Video

Eligibility criteria

This is a brief overview of the Eligibility Criteria, detailed information can be found within the Business Rules

Be on a recognised Training Program

1. Rural Generalist* registrars on, or awaiting acceptance on to, a recognised training pathway such as:

  • Australian General Practice Training Program (AGPT) or College led training pathways
  • Remote Vocational Training Scheme (RVTS)
  • Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) Independent Pathway (IP) or Rural Generalist Training Scheme (RGTS)

2. Fellowed General Practitioners (FRACGP) obtaining advanced skills to become a Rural Generalist.

3. Existing Rural Generalists (FACRRM, or FRACGP with FARGP) who wish to undertake a second advanced skill to fill an identified community need.

     RACGP candidates must enrol in FARGP prior to commencement of the RGA position.

Be registered with the VRGP

Candidates must have registered with VRGP. The time of registration may impact on the priority group allocated.

Have full General Medical Registration

All candidates must have full General medical registration in Australia at the time of application.

RACGP applicants – Meet requirements of Hospital Based Experience

Candidates training towards FRACGP will need to provide evidence that they will satisfy all the requirements of hospital-based training before commencement in the RGA position.

Declare any Grants and Funding

All candidates must declare if they are in receipt of other training or research grants which they may be simultaneously receiving during the RGA training period.

Additional Criteria

Candidates may be required to confirm with PMCV via the registration process, and later by providing to Health Services, mandatory workforce details such as:

  • BBS or equivalent qualification
  • Current and satisfactory Working with Children Check
  • National Police Check
  • Evidence of an active Medicare provider and prescriber number

*A Rural Generalist registrar is considered a registrar training towards a FACRRM and/or the FRACGP plus FARGP (not FRACGP in isolation). RACGP PEP Program trainees are not eligible as they are unable to enrol in the FARGP.

Priority Groups

Priority Group 1

Current VRGP trainee applying within their region, on defined pathway applying within region – Unmatched through pre-match

  1. Registered with VRGP (12 months+) – candidates who have registered with the VRGP within the region of the position for at least 12-months prior to the commencement of the RGA position. This includes both entry via RG1 (internship) and lateral entry trainees.
  2. Documented VRGP Pathway – candidates are required to be on a documented VRGP pathway for the discipline of the RGA position at the time of the pre-match. The pathway must identify potential towns of future practice with the RGA skill.
  3. Rural experience – candidates will have completed at least 12-months work in an MM2-7 location* within Victoria within the preceding 2-years of the commencement of the position.

This group excludes candidates who have successfully completed or will have completed any advanced skills post by the time they are due to commence the pre-match position.  This includes an advanced skills post completed interstate or in a non-VRGP funded position.

*Barwon Health is classified as a Regional Health service by the department and is therefore included for Rural Experience despite being located in a MM1 position.

Priority Group 2

Current VRGP trainee – defined pathway, any region

Current VRGP trainee – any region, change of specialty or multiple specialties

  1. Registered with VRGP (12 months+) – candidates who have registered with the VRGP any region of the position for at least 12-months prior to the commencement of the RGA position. This includes both entry via RG1 (internship) and lateral entry trainees.
  2. Documented VRGP Pathway – candidates are required to be on a documented VRGP pathway for the discipline of the RGA position at the time of the pre-match. The pathway must identify potential towns of future practice with the RGA skill. In the situation where candidates wish to apply for several different disciplines, their pathway may reflect this with multiple options.
  3. Rural experience – candidates will have completed at least 12-months work in an MM2-7* location within Victoria within the preceding 2-years of the commencement of the position.

This group excludes candidates who have successfully completed or will have completed any advanced skills post by the time they are due to commence the pre-match position.  This includes an advanced skills post completed interstate or in a non-VRGP funded position.

*Barwon Health is classified as a Regional Health service by the department and is therefore included for Rural Experience despite being located in a MM1 position.

Priority Group 3

 1. Registered with VRGP before Match close date – candidates are required to have made contact with the relevant VRGP Regional Coordinator for the applied position and registered with the VRGP before the Match close date.

2. Priority Group 3 also includes:

    • Fellowed Rural Generalists, wishing to complete a second Advanced Skill.
    • Interstate RG trainees who do not meet the Priority Group 1 or 2 criteria.

FAQs

RGA – Application2023-06-23T14:17:02+10:00

Q. Do I need to send an application to the Health Service, as well as applying to PMCV?

No, there is no need for a direct application to the Health Service for the RGA Match

 

Q. How many referee names can I submit?

Two referees contact names are required.

 

Q. Can I select multiple disciplines?

Yes, provided they are within the three (3) preference maximum limit.

 

RGA – Eligibility2023-06-23T14:18:58+10:00

Q. Am I eligible to apply for the RGA Match?

A. Details of the eligibility criteria can be found in the RGA Match Rules.

 

Q. I am an International Medical Graduate, can I apply for the RGA?

A. International Medical Graduates are eligible for any of the Priority Groups listed above providing they meet the criteria listed in both the eligibility section (including full General registration) and the relevant Priority Group criteria.

 

Q. I have already accepted a pre-match to an Advanced Skills position, can I apply to the RGA Match?

A. No, once a signed pre-match agreement has been signed, you are no longer eligible for the Match. Please discuss this with the Health Service or RG Coordinator.

 

Q. I have already completed an Advanced Skill, am I able to apply to the Match to complete a second Advanced Skill?

A. RG trainees and Fellowed RG may elect to undertake a second advanced skill to meet the needs of their community and/or professional interests. This includes doctors who have an existing advanced skill that was not obtained through a VRGP funded position. Please refer to the Match Rules for the associated Priority Group.

RGA – Interviews2023-06-23T14:15:57+10:00

Q. Are all candidates required to record a video interview?

A. Yes, the requirements of the Match is for all candidates to record a video interview between 10am Friday 21 July to Sunday 23 July 2023.

 

Q. Do I also have to attend an online or live interview with the Health Service?

A. This will be determined by individual Health Services. Some maybe happy to assess from the video interview only, however we believe most will shortlist candidates and then offer an interview. Any interview will be during the Health Service Assessment/Interview Period between Monday 31 July to Friday 25 July. These are coordinated and run by the Health Services.

 

Q. Who will see my recorded video interview?

A. The following groups will have access to the video:

  • The Clinical Leads from the specialty (discipline) you are applying to
  • Health Services you have in your preference list have the option to view the video to use in their assessment or shortlisting process.
  • PMCV to check for technical issues only
RGA – Positions2023-06-23T14:11:57+10:00

Q. Where do I find the posts that are available to preference?

A. The posts will with position descriptions etc, can be found in the Positions Vacant | Victorian Rural Generalist Program (vicruralgeneralist.com.au) section of the VRGP website. They will also be listed when the Match is published in PMCV’s Allocation & Placement Service when the Match officially opens on 3 July.

 

Q. The post I was hoping to undertake does not have a position listed, what can I do?

A.  The VRGP in conjunction with the Regional Networks, is responsible for the coordination, placement, prioritisation and development of department subsidised RGA posts across Victoria. This provides a formalised and equitable process for the distribution of RGA posts across Victorian public health services with the aim of addressing community need for Rural Generalists.

Speak to your the RG Coordinator in your region, they can help plan your pathway.

 

Q. I have read that some posts can be filled by a pre-match, why wasn’t I able to pre-matched?

A. Pre-match is only available to Priority Group 1 trainees, already on a documented VRGP pathway which details the discipline and desired location of the RGA specialty.

RGA – Results2023-06-23T14:21:30+10:00

Q. How do I find out the results of the Match?

A. Approved Candidates will be emailed the Match results.

You can also access the result by logging in to the Allocation & Placement Service system.

 

Q. I am matched to a Health Service. What do I do now?

A. You need to accept your offer via the PMCV Allocation & Placement Service system.

The health service will contact you in a day or two regarding your contract, roster, etc.

 

Q. Can I decline or withdraw from the position I was allocated in the Match?

A. Participation in the Match signifies that you agree to abide by the results and accept the health service to which you have been matched.

Once an applicant has accepted an offer, they will not receive any further offers in Victoria.

Trainees who decline a position or have accepted a position at any stage, then later withdraw from that position, will be ineligible to be matched to another funded VRGP for the same year. Exceptions maybe considered if there are unforeseen and extenuating circumstances, which are to be approved by VRGP.

 

Q. I am unmatched. What do I do now?

A. There may be candidates and Advanced Skills positions that remain unfilled following the Match process.

All unfilled positions and unmatched RGA candidates will be managed through a case management process.

If there are still unfilled RGA posts after a thorough case management process has been undertaken, a reallocation of RGA posts may occur. It will still be vital for the VRGP that any trainees entering these reallocated posts are genuine RG candidates.

RGA – Specifics2023-06-23T14:06:56+10:00

Q. How is my Priority Group determined?

A. The Match Rules indicates which Priority Group candidates fit within.

 

Q. Who will assess my application?

A. VRGP Clinical Leads will assess your application to determine your suitability for the VRGP Program. These positions are funded by VRGP and form part of a Candidate’s pathway. The Clinical Lead’s assessment will be forwarded to the Health Services to refer to as part of their assessment.

Should the VRGP Clinical Leads determine that a candidate is not suitable for a funded VRGP position, the Hospital will have been advised that the candidate will not be funded by VRGP.  The candidate can still be ranked by the Health Service if they are prepared to accept the candidate and fund the position themselves, based on workforce need.

 

Q. How will my Priority Group have a bearing on the Match process?

The Match algorithm will be done in two rounds:
• The first Match allocation will be Priority Group 2 candidates and any Priority Group 1 candidates who were not pre-matched.
• The second Match allocation will be for any unmatched candidates from the first Match allocation and include Priority Group 3 candidates.

Lower priority group candidates will be matched after any available matches occur for higher priority candidates, as stated above.

 

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