PGY2+ Basic Physician Training (BPT) Adult Medicine

What should employees expect from the role?
Basic Trainees will rotate across a range of medical specialties to meet all core and non-core requirements as described in the RACP training curriculum. The program emphasises development of professional qualities as well as preparedness for practice through learning. NALHN currently provides an opportunity for rotation to Alice Springs Hospital and DASSA based on availability of positions and interest. Trainee feedback is regularly sought through surveys, trainee open forums and one-on-one trainee/DPE meetings.

What education is provided?
In addition to teaching on the run during rotations, Basic Trainees participate in divisional education sessions such as weekly Grand Rounds, Radiology meetings, Case Discussions, Mortality Reviews and Journal Clubs. Specialty units also provide focussed teaching sessions. Protected BPT teaching provided by consultants occurs weekly on a range of topics. Candidates preparing for the Divisional Written Examination have access to a regular (twice weekly) tutorial program with consultant supervision, as well as trial examinations. Clinical examination preparation involves a structured long and short case roster, weekend formal trial examinations and a mentorship program.

Basic Trainees will be able to attend written examination courses during their second year, with study leave.

How will supervision be provided? Will this vary from rotation to rotation?
Day-to-day work supervision is provided by Consultants (including an allocated Ward Supervisor) and Advanced Trainees on each rotation. Specific training and education sessions are also provided and are rotation-specific. End of rotation reports and regular informal feedback are provided for each rotation.

An educational supervisor/professional development advisor is allocated to each Basic Trainee for the duration of their Basic Physician Training. Educational supervisors adopt a mentorship role and provide an additional source of support and guidance for their trainee. The RACP Basic Training Program at NALHN offers fellowship and is very friendly, non-hierarchical and has zero tolerance to bullying and harassment.

What other support is provided?
The DPEs meet with all Basic Trainees regularly and in conjunction with the nominated wellbeing consultants within the Division of Medicine have an open-door approach to debriefing and feedback. Trainees are encouraged to identify concerns and seek support early on, to allow speedy and satisfactory resolution.

Other sources of support for Basic Trainees include:

• Chief Medical Resident
• Junior Medical Officer Education Committee
• Employee Assistance Program via the official SA Health EAP service
• Trainees are also encouraged to access the RACP support service, Converge, if required.

What should employees expect from the role?
In the first instance all trainees are provided with extensive orientation, including induction and introduction to training activities, ward services and safety and quality information. Regular group meetings are scheduled 3-monthly for trainees to meet with their DPE and Trainee Medical Officer Unit. There is an annual individual informal meeting scheduled with each trainee with their DPE to discuss progress and provide bi-directional feedback.

Trainees complete a three-year Basic Training program as per the RACP training curriculum. Trainees will be supported by Senior medical staff i.e., Consultants / Registrars / Educational Supervisors etc. during their training.

Trainees rotate across a range of medical specialities and health care settings with an aim to meet all core and non-core requirements as described in the RACP training curriculum.

Mid and end of term assessments are completed to monitor a trainee’s progress and in order to highlight any areas of concern, which will be addressed accordingly.

Trial exams for both written and clinical are undertaken.

What education is provided?
Formal educational sessions within each unit, such as:

• Speciality education sessions
• RACP teleconference sessions
• BPT teaching
• Grand Rounds
• Practical written exams (preparation for RACP written exam).
• Short and long case rounds (preparation for RACP clinical exam).

How will supervision be provided? Will this vary from rotation to rotation?
Supervision is provided by Consultants and Advanced Trainees.

Each trainee is allocated an Educational Supervisor and Professional Development supervisor (who are the same for the trainee) and will remain so for the entire training period.

Educational and Professional Development Supervisors are encouraged to attend the RACP SPDP workshops.

Trainees are encouraged to meet regularly with their supervisors (at least once a term).

Mid and end of term assessments are completed.

What other support is provided?
The Director of Physical Education, TMO Manager and the TMO Coordinator work closely together to provide support and assistance to trainees, always having an open-door policy. The DPE meets all trainees once a term.

SALHN encourage and support early identification of difficulties to ensure they can be addressed/resolved rather than escalating and becoming unmanageable. Performance assessments are completed at the end of each term by the Educational Supervisors and the Nurse Unit Manager, and any issues/concerns are addressed immediately.

Employee Assistance Program is available via SA Health arrangements.

What should employees expect from the role?
Basic Trainees will receive formal orientation to the hospital and to the BPT Program. Trainees will rotate every 3 months through general and subspecialty medicine rotations to meet all core requirements as described in the RACP BPT curriculum. Trainees’ preferences are considered in rotation allocation. The CALHN BPT program works hard to provide a workplace and training environment that is safe and supportive for trainees and their supervisors. Feedback from trainees is sought regularly to guide improvements in the program.

What education is provided?
We deliver a comprehensive education program throughout BPT. Individual rotations offer subspecialty teaching through formal tutorials and departmental educational meetings. Attendance at weekly Medical Grand Rounds is supported and teleconference facilities are available for trainees working offsite. A CALHN specific Foundation Phase professional skills curriculum supports development of self-reflection and critical thinking skills.

A formal basic training tutorial program (Thursdays at 8am) runs to support trainees in preparing for the Divisional Written Examination. In the months prior to the exam, written trial examinations are run with individualised feedback provided on performance. The CALHN BPT program pride ourselves on our comprehensive program preparing trainees for the Divisional Clinical Examination. This includes rostered short case rounds, weekly long case practice, opportunities to practice long cases with RACP examiners, weekend trial examinations, intensive sessions with a focus on examination techniques, and subspecialty short case days with opportunity to see a high volume of patients with clinical signs. All trainees are allocated study leave prior to the written exam, including optional leave for attendance at commercial study courses.

How will supervision be provided? Will this vary from rotation to rotation?
Day-to-day supervision is provided by consultant physicians (including an allocated Rotation Supervisor) and Advanced Trainees on each rotation.

Each trainee will also be assigned a consultant Educational Supervisor who will provide additional support and mentorship for the duration of their basic training. All trainees are assigned a DPE. At CALHN, first-year trainees are supervised by Dr Catherine Wilkes. On entering the second year of training, each trainee is assigned to either Dr Jessica Hafner or Dr Alice O’Connell. This person will then remain their DPE for the remainder of their basic training.

More information on the supervision structure of BPT can be found at the RACP website.

What other support is provided?
In addition to the three DPEs, CALHN has a Network Training Program Coordinator and a team of Chief Medical Residents who work across both RAH and TQEH. The NTPC provides practical and administrative support including maintaining an up-to-date internal Sharepoint site which serves as an excellent place for trainees to find local and RACP with resources to support them in their training, education and wellbeing.

The CMRs are Advanced Trainees who play an essential role in both delivery of the BPT education program (especially the preparation for the Divisional Clinical Examination) and in mentorship and support of Basic Trainees.

Additional confidential and free support is available via the SA Health Employee Assistance Program and/or the RACP Support Service. Information on support available is provided to each trainee during their orientation to CALHN.

Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander trainees are supported to attend the annual Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) Conference and Specialist Trainee Support Program workshops each year during their training at CALHN.

• General Registration with the Medical Board of Australia as a Medical Practitioner by 1 February 2027.
• Commitment to pursuing a career as a physician.

Special Populations

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for BPT positions. Additional consideration is given to these applicants as part of our commitment to increasing Indigenous representation in the physician workforce. Indigenous applicants are also encouraged to apply for the RACP Indigenous Health Basic Training Scholarship. More information can be found on the RACP website.
• In South Australia, interns are currently welcome to apply to commence BPT in the year following internship, though the selection process favours applicants with additional clinical experience, such as a general training year.
• International medical graduates who will not meet the Australian Medical Council (AMC) requirements for general registration by the start of the 2027 clinical year are not eligible to apply for BPT with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
• • BPT positions are not suitable for overseas-trained doctors seeking 12 months of supervised practice in Australia as part of meeting AMC requirements or completing the Competent Authority Pathway.

We apply both RACP and Local Selection Criteria when selecting trainees for BPT in South Australia

RACP Selection into Basic Training Criteria
Prospective Basic Trainees should demonstrate:

• The capability and commitment to pursuing a career as a physician.
• The ability to plan and manage their learning.
• The ability and willingness to achieve the Basic Training Competencies, particularly those associated with:
  • communication
  • cultural competence
  • ethics and professional behaviour
  • leadership, management and teamwork.

Local Selection Criteria

• Proven clinical competence and knowledge at level appropriate with postgraduate year 2 (PGY2) or above with ability to identify, assess and manage acute patient presentations.
• Demonstrates collaborative, respectful and empathetic communication skills by effectively including patients, family members and members of the healthcare team in management decisions.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of and commitment to Work Health and Safety values and to creating a positive patient experience.
• Displays capacity and willingness to support, supervise and assist junior colleagues.
• Demonstrates ability to practice medicine in a culturally informed manner and seeks to improve own knowledge of the needs of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and other cultural communities.
• Demonstrates ability to work with other members of the healthcare team to produce positive outcomes for patient
• Demonstrates sound judgement and the ability to identify their own limitations and seek help appropriately.
• Demonstrates ability to take initiative when appropriate and to work under pressure without compromising patient care.
• Competence in a range of routine and common ward-based procedural skills appropriate for PGY2 or above.
• Demonstrate skills in problem-solving and decision-making at both the clinical and individual level.
• A strong personal record of ethical and professional behaviour.
• A mature approach to learning, including the ability to self-reflect and receive feedback.

Please read this section carefully prior to submitting your application to ensure your Expression of Interest meets all requirements.

Applications Requiring Alternative or Additional Application Processes

Applicants who are already enrolled in adult BPT elsewhere need to apply via a separate process and should not apply via SA MET.

• If you are seeking to transfer to a SA BPT program from interstate, see ‘Expression of Interest to transfer to SA Basic Physician Training from interstate’ below.
• It is not possible to transfer between LHNs within SA (for example, if you are currently training as a BPT in CALHN you may not transfer to BPT in NALHN).

Applicants who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents and require employer sponsorship to obtain a visa need to take additional steps in addition to applying via SA MET.

• While applicants who do not hold Australian citizenship or permanent residency but otherwise meet the eligibility criteria may apply via SA MET, please note that SA Health is not routinely able to offer sponsorship for Basic Physician Trainees for the purposes of obtaining employment visas.
• If this applies to you, in addition to applying via SA MET, you should also contact the DPE at your preferred network to discuss whether sponsorship will be possible.

Selection Screening
All applicants who meet Minimum Eligibility Requirements will have their application considered and, in most circumstances, will be offered an interview, with the following important exceptions:

• Applicants whose Expression of Interest clearly indicates BPT is not their first preference for training will not be considered as this indicates the applicant is not fully committed to pursuing a career as a physician.
• Applicants whose Expression of Interest or referee reports demonstrate that the applicant is unsuitable for the position will not be offered an interview.

Expression of Interest Submission and Scoring
Applicants that remain eligible after screening will have their Expression of Interest scored prior to interview. This scoring is undertaken by the SA BPT Selection Panel using standardised criteria. All members of the panel are calibrated prior to scoring. See ‘Required Documents’ for more information on the expectations for each component of the EOI submission and how this is assessed.

Please note, the applicant’s network preference does not impact the scoring or weighting of the assessment. SA MET will match the highest ranked candidate to an available position. See the PGY2+ Application Guideline for more information on the matching process.

In addition to the standard documentation outlined in the PGY2+ Application Guideline, you will be required to provide the following:

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Your CV should include a description of your qualifications and your previous clinical experience. Involvement in medical education, research, safety and quality improvement projects, professional development, and community involvement (including non-medical interests) are welcomed.

Cover Letter

• You are required to submit a single, one-page cover letter. This letter should be addressed to The SA BPT Selection Panel (not the individual LHNs). Note, the SA MET application process may mean that you submit this letter multiple times, once for each LHN in your preferences. Please do not produce three separate letters, as your application is only assessed once. This letter should be in your own words. Submissions suspected to be generated by artificial intelligence software or large language models, such as ChatGPT, are considered unfavourably.
• Your cover letter should address the following points:
  – A clear explanation of why BPT is attractive to you.
  – Characteristics or skills that make you an attractive candidate for BPT and/or differentiate you from other candidates.
  – Your future career plans or goals
• Your CV and cover letter contribute 10% of your overall score used for ranking.

Referee Reports

• You are required to provide the contact details (including a phone number, preferably a mobile phone number) for consultant supervisors from your two most recent clinical rotations. The supervisors will receive a request to complete an online referee report from SA MET and may also be contacted by phone for a verbal reference by a member of the selection panel. Referee reports are scored against standardised criteria.
• It is not expected that these supervisors will necessarily be physicians. Your referees must be consultant medical practitioners who have supervised you in your clinical work. Medical residents, registrars or academic/research supervisors are not appropriate referees for the purpose of this application.
• If neither of your two most recent clinical supervisors are Fellows of RACP, you may choose to also submit a third referee who is an FRACP. This person must have supervised you directly in your clinical work within the last 2 years to be considered a suitable referee for this application.
• Please note, failure to provide referees in line with these requirements can result in your application being deemed incomplete and therefore ineligible for further consideration.
• If there has been an interruption to your training, please indicate this in your Expression of Interest, so the dates for the most recent periods of supervision are clear.
• Your referee reports contribute 30% of your overall score used for ranking.

If your application is considered eligible, you will receive a notification of your interview location and time via email at least 1 week prior to the interview. Interviews will be conducted in person at the SA/NT RACP Regional Office (Level 2, 257 Melbourne St, North Adelaide SA 5006) or via teleconference link.

At interview, desirable candidates will be able to:

• Discuss why the training position is attractive to them and their specific interest in BPT.
• Discuss anticipated challenges and how the training program aligns with their career goals.
• Demonstrate their ability to tackle clinical, ethical and professional challenges relevant to the role of a first-year basic physician trainee.
• Demonstrate relevant knowledge of SA Health, local health services, community and public health systems.
• Show maturity and capacity for self-reflection regarding their clinical practice and learning.
• Demonstrate understanding of cultural competency and principles of culturally safe healthcare.
• Present a well-rounded approach to their own education, including ability to maintain work-life balance despite the challenges of a demanding training program.

In accordance with the RACP Selection into Training policy, the SA BPT Selection Panel seeks to select candidates that demonstrate the appropriate level of ability, and willingness to progress towards competence, in each domain of the RACP Standards Framework.

Click here for more information.

This interview contributes 60% of your overall score used for ranking.

Interview Format
The interview involves two panels consisting of representatives from all three LHNs. You will spend 10 minutes with each panel. Each panel will ask you three questions. The first question at each panel will relate to a scenario or discussion topic provided to you 10 minutes prior to that panel session.

Scoring for the interview is conducted with each panel member scoring you individually and then reaching a consensus. The panel determines in advance what is required for a given score for each question.

Outcome of Selection Process
Offers for BPT positions in South Australia occur via SA MET in a series of rounds with offers being determined by your final score and ranking and your network preferences. The dates of these offer rounds are listed on the SA MET website. It should be noted that the allocations are performed in such a way that preferencing a less popular training network does not increase your likelihood of being offered a position.

If you have been unsuccessful in obtaining a ranked position eligible for an offer, you will be notified via email and the option for feedback on your application provided. This feedback will occur in the form of an email outlining the areas of your application which need to improve prior to re-applying for a future BPT position. The SA BPT Selection Panel does not offer in-person feedback or mentoring of unsuccessful applicants. You may consider reviewing the written feedback with a mentor or one of your physician referees for further advice.

Appeal of Selection Decision
If you wish to appeal a decision to not to offer you an interview, you are encouraged to first seek feedback on your application.

If you are concerned that a procedural issue has negatively impacted your performance on the day of interview, you should raise this with staff at the time or as soon as possible, so that the issue can be noted and considered when your application is scored. In exceptional circumstances, a second interview may be offered.

If you wish to appeal a selection decision after offers have been released, you should contact the SA BPT Selection Panel via the contact details provided in your interview offer.

In accordance with Public Sector Act 2009, applicants may apply for an Internal Review of a selection decision which will be conducted by a person with an appropriate level of seniority and knowledge, who was not involved in the decision under review and does not have an interest in the matter. In most circumstances, this will be a senior consultant physician and human resources staff member from a LHN that is not the applicant’s first preference for BPT. An application for Internal Review will only be considered if received within 21 days of the applicant being notified of the selection decision.

This pathway is for applicants who are already enrolled in a BPT program interstate and are wishing to transfer to a South Australian health network for the remainder of their Basic Physician Training.

Selection Process
If you are seeking to transfer into BPT from an interstate BPT Program, you should not apply via SA MET. Instead, you should contact the DPE(s) at your preferred LHN(s) directly by email including an Expression of Interest (see below for details). They will review your application using the following criteria and determine whether an interview will be offered.

Not all networks will have open positions for second or third year BPT. Appointment to such positions is on a case-by-case basis.

Expression of Interest
Your Expression of Interest should include a curriculum vitae, a cover letter, and the contact details for your two most recent term supervisors.

Curriculum Vitae
Your CV should include a description of your qualifications and your previous clinical experience. Involvement in medical education, research, safety and quality improvement projects, professional development, and community involvement (including non-medical interests) are welcomed.

Cover Letter
You are required to submit a single, one-page cover letter. This letter should be addressed to The SA BPT Selection Panel (not the individual LHNs). This letter should be in your own words. Submissions suspected to be generated by artificial intelligence software or large language models, such as ChatGPT, are considered unfavourably.

Your cover letter should address the following points:

• A clear and honest explanation of why you are seeking to transfer your training to SA.
• A brief description of your BPT experience to date.
• A brief description of any previous clinical experience.
• Your future career plans or goals.

Letter of recommendation from current Director of Physician Education (DPE)
You are required to submit a statement from your current DPE outlining your progression in training to date. Applications which do include a letter from your current DPE will not be considered further.

Referee Reports
You are required to provide the contact details (including phone and email) for consultant supervisors from your two most recent clinical rotations. They will receive a link to an online referee form to complete and may also be contacted by phone for a verbal reference by a member of the selection panel.

Your referees must be consultant medical practitioners who have supervised you in your clinical work. Medical residents, registrars or academic/research supervisors are not appropriate referees for the purpose of this application.

Please note, failure to provide referees in line with these requirements can result in your application being deemed incomplete and therefore ineligible for further consideration.

If there has been an interruption to your training, please indicate this in your Expression of Interest, so the dates for the most recent periods of supervision are clear.

Interview
If your application is considered eligible, and there are positions available, you will receive a notification of your interview location and time via email at least 1 week prior to the interview. Interviews will be conducted in person at the primary hospital in your chosen network or via teleconference link.

At interview, desirable candidates will be able to:

• Demonstrate why they are transferring to SA for the remainder of their training, and how they see this position contributing to their future career goals.
• Discuss anticipated challenges of moving during training and how they will address this.
• Demonstrate their ability to tackle clinical, ethical and professional challenges relevant to the role of a basic physician trainee at their current level of training.
• Demonstrate relevant knowledge of SA Health, local health services, community and public health systems.
• Show maturity and capacity for self-reflection regarding their clinical practice and learning.
• Demonstrate understanding of cultural competency and principles of culturally safe healthcare.
• Present a well-rounded approach to their own education, including ability to maintain work-life balance despite the challenges of a demanding training program.

In accordance with the RACP Selection into Training policy, the SA BPT Selection Panel seeks to select candidates that demonstrate the appropriate level of ability, and willingness to progress towards competence, in each domain of the RACP Standards Framework.

Click here for more information.

Interview Format 
The interview will be specifically for the LHN you are applying for and will generally take 15-30 minutes. The panel will consist of two DPEs from that network. Scoring for the interview is conducted with each panel member scoring you individually and then reaching a consensus. The panel determines in advance what is required for a given score for each question.

Outcome of Selection Process
For interstate transfers, you will be contacted directly by the LHN regarding the outcome of your application. The DPEs will be able to advise you of the expected timeframe for an outcome at the time they interview you. It will be no longer than 2 weeks from your interview date.

If you have been unsuccessful in obtaining an offer, you will be notified via email and the option for feedback on your application provided. This feedback will occur in the form of an email outlining the areas of your application which need to improve prior to re-applying for a future BPT position. The SA BPT Selection Panel does not offer in-person feedback or mentoring to unsuccessful applicants.

Appeal of Selection Decision
If you wish to appeal a decision not to offer you an interview, you are encouraged to first seek feedback on your application.

If you are concerned that a procedural issue has negatively impacted your performance on the day of interview, you should raise this with staff at the time or as soon as possible, so that the issue can be noted and considered when your application is scored. In exceptional circumstances, a second interview may be offered.

If you wish to appeal a selection decision after offers have been released, you should contact the SA BPT Selection Panel via the contact details provided in your interview offer.

In accordance with Public Sector Act 2009, applicants may apply for an Internal Review of a selection decision which will be conducted by a person with an appropriate level of seniority and knowledge, who was not involved in the decision under review and does not have an interest in the matter. In most circumstances, this will be a senior consultant physician and human resources staff member from a LHN that is not the applicant’s first preference for BPT. An application for Internal Review will only be considered if received within 21 days of the applicant being notified of the selection decision.