Teaching, Training, Employment and International Involvement

The department is actively involved in teaching at both postgraduate and undergraduate levels, and also for other specialist personnel.

Postgraduate Training

• Tutorials, journal review or discussion of interesting cases are held every Friday morning for all Anaesthesia trainees. These run in 4 month cycles and cover all specialties in paediatric anaesthesia and related areas, as well as sessions on administration, medico-legal matters, teaching skills, and disasters.

• Candidates preparing for exams are helped informally by several members of staff with questions, trial oral examinations, etc.

• There is a monthly evening scientific meeting at which registrars make a 20 minute presentation on an allocated topic. Weekly clinical review sessions are held on a rotating morning from 7.30 to 8.00 am.

The rotating registrar positions go primarily to those on the Victorian and Tasmanian rotating Anaesthesia training schemes. It is only if there is not a full quota that others are considered.

• Some priority is given to local applicants from Australia and New Zealand , bearing in mind Paediatric Anaesthesia needs, primarily for major centers. There is often only room , if any, for one or occasionally two applicants from other countries. As we have all branches of paediatric anaesthetic experience available, priority has to be given to those who hope to pursue a career in Paediatric Anaesthesia. Regrettably most enquiries are turned down.

• Overseas fellows who have a scholarship from their hospital, university or government come for varying periods from 3-12 months. However demand usually exceeds the number of posts which is normally limited to two, so that there is enough experience for everybody.

Fellowship Positions

Each year the Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management offers 8-12 fellowship positions in paediatric anaesthesia. These positions are either 6 or 12 month duration and commence in February or August. They are suitable for anaesthetists with previous paediatric anaesthesia training with a view to a career as a specialist paediatric anaesthetist.

The fellowship program includes:

• General paediatric anaesthesia
• Paediatric anaesthesia specialties:
  eg Craniofacial surgery, neurosurgery, urological surgery, major orthopaedic surgery, cardiac surgery, and cardiac, liver and renal transplantation
• Acute pain management

As part of the clinical program, Fellows are expected to participate in the out of hours roster. On average this involves 4 nights on duty over an 8 week cycle.

A formal anaesthesia teaching program is provided for all Fellows which includes:

• 4-hour tutorial every second week  
• a general departmental education meeting for ½ hour per week
• a monthly evening 1½ hour seminar on selected topics

In addition, Fellows are rostered for 5 hours of non clinical time, every second week. Fellows are encouraged to use this time to engage in research and/or educational activities.

To be eligible for consideration for a Fellowship it is expected that applicants have:

• Significant previous experience in paediatric anaesthesia
• Plans for a future career in paediatric anaesthesia
• Strong references from paediatric anaesthetists

International applicants are only considered if there are no suitably qualified Australian applicants

In addition, prospective Fellows must be able to satisfy the registration requirements of the Medical Board of Australia (for prospective Fellows who have not completed secondary schooling with English as the primary language the Medical Board usually requires evidence of an academic IELTS score of at least 7.0 across all categories. Such applicants for RCH positions will not be considered without a current IELTS certificate). More detailed information about medical registration requirements can be found at http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration-Process/Overseas-Practitioners.aspx

Positions are generally advertised in March/April of each year. Positions for 2012 have been filled.

More information can be obtained about these positions from Ms Cathi Taylor by email on cathi.taylor@rch.org.au

Undergraduate Training

Medical students of Melbourne University have a lecture and two sessions in theatre during their 5th year Paediatric term. These sessions are conducted by Dr Rob McDougall.

3rd year medical students at Melbourne University can attend an advanced study unit on basic sciences applied to Paediatric Anaesthesia. Usually the group consists of 6-8 students and the course includes some time in the operating theatre, tutorials and preparation of a case report. This is coordinated by  Drs George Chalkiadis and Rob Mcdougall.

Occasionally medical students (local and overseas) spend 2 weeks to 2 months doing an elective. They usually have theoretical and practical teaching and usually prepare a case report

Various other groups have short exposure to Paediatric anaesthesia and airway management including nurses, MICA ambulance and Armed forces personnel

International Involvement

The department has for many years had an involvement with countries all round the world. Anaesthetists from over 30 countries have worked in the department while members of the staff have taught and lectured in over 60 countries. Several members have worked in Britain. Five have worked for periods over 6 months in Holland, Italy, Sweden and Canada.

Each year 5-6 of our staff are involved in meetings and teaching sessions overseas.