I am often asked to comment on the new approaches that RWAV is adopting to recruit GPs to rural Victoria.  I thought that I would take this opportunity to explain our new systems and processes.

Australian-qualified doctors, with or without postgraduate general practice qualifications, are identified by RWAV through appropriate recruitment campaigns and activities.  And increasingly, we are raising our profile in local undergraduate medical communities to encourage new doctors to locate to rural Victoria.

As doctor shortages are faced by communities all over the world, RWAV also seeks internationally trained doctors.  They are identified through a number of mechanisms including exhibition and conference activities, our website, advertising and promotion, and referrals.

Once doctors are screened and pass assessment criteria, we complete all paperwork, including medical registration, for successful applicants.  RWAV’s Migration Specialist and Relocation Co-ordinator provides professional guidance to the different schemes and programs that are available for suitably qualified candidates.  These relate to their residency status, qualifications, skills and experience.

As a Division of General Practice, why are we not receiving Doctor CVs from RWAV any more?

Previously when RWAV received a doctor’s CV, it was distributed as a matter of course to all Victorian Divisions of Rural General Practice.  Now, under our new case management approach, we work closely with the candidate to determine suitability and eligibility for practise in rural Victoria and contact those practices who match an individual candidate’s requirements and preferences.

Also, quite a number of candidates approach RWAV with a specific practice to which they wish to locate.

On a practical level, this means that Divisions of General Practice will see fewer CVs as we are working far more intensely with candidates and practices to effect successful placements.

However, under our Service Agreements with Divisions, we will notify Divisions whenever a doctor CV is presented to a practice for review and comment, adapting our services according to individual Division capacity and need.

On average, how long does candidate assessment take?

Our general practice assessment is AMC accredited, which means that doctor candidates can be assessed by RWAV without delay. 

At the beginning of 2009, RWAV employed three doctors, who collectively have some 90 years experience, to fill the role of Medical Advisors.  They bring advice from a medical perspective in a range of ways.

Specifically, they play a crucial role in the assessment of doctors seeking work in rural Victoria.  All advisors have worked as RWAV medical interviewers and, with many years experience in rural medicine themselves, they are fully qualified to ensure that assessment of IMGs is thorough, robust and objective.

With this new system in place, we are confident that medical assessment can usually be completed within one month.

So, what is case management?

Our new approach emphasises the value of one-on-one consultation between an RWAV staff member and the doctor candidate to determine suitability, eligibility and preferences.  This ensures that we will have greatest opportunity to effect a successful and long term placement.

On a practical level we provide the following services:

• CV screening
• navigation through the system
• assessment
• medical registration
• provider number
• immigration
• practice identification
• practice visit, placement and support
• on-going support to candidate and family

What’s happening with practice vacancy management?

We are also in the process of re-invigorating our approach to the profiling and promotion of vacancies that we accept from practices in rural Victoria.

We are systematically working through all vacancies to refresh the profiles and capture the latest information on the position, the practice, the town and regional area.  We will continue to work with individual practices to ensure that vacancies are presented in the best possible manner to ensure placement success.

If I need more information?

Please contact one of our Recruit Case Managers on 03 9349 7800 to find out more.

Claire Austin
RWAV Chief Executive