For International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service is currently operating the Workplace Based Assessment Program for International Medical Graduates on Limited Registration on the ‘Standard Pathway’. The Program offers an alternative to the Australian Medical Council’s (AMC) Clinical Examination – with successful completion granting the AMC Certificate, which is a requirement for General Registration.
Program Dates
Gold Coast Health accepts WBA Candidates twice a year, starting Term 2 and Term 4.
Expressions of Interest are typically distributed via email roughly 12 weeks before each intake.
Eligibility to apply
Gold Coast Health accepts applications from Medical Officers working on Limited Registration on the ‘Standard Pathway’ within QLD Health that meet the following criteria:
- Completion of internship recognised by AHPRA.
- Successfully completed the AMC Computer Adaptive Test (CAT).
- Have worked (and remain working) as a Medical Officer for QLD Health for ≥6 (six) months, or Gold Coast Health for a ≥3 (three) months.
- Not scheduled to sit the AMC Clinical Examination or awaiting results during the selection period (eight weeks following EOI opening).
Note: Candidates that are scheduled to sit the AMC Clinical Exam more than eight weeks following the EOI opening are welcome to apply, however if selected, they will need to provide proof of withdrawal from the Exam to proceed with their application.
How to apply
Gold Coast Health
All IMGs on Limited Registration working for Gold Coast Health will automatically receive Expression(s) of Interest via their QLD Health email address.
Queensland Health
IMGs working for other QLD Health Facilities are encouraged to submit their interest via the link below. Expression(s) of Interest will be distributed to those that have registered via the email address provided.
Selection Criteria
All applicants are subject to the WBA Selection Process governed by the WBA Selection Committee.
See PRO-2437 – Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) Program - Candidate Selection.
Requirements of the Program
Successful candidates will be offered a 15-month contract for a Rotational House Officer position with Gold Coast Health to cover the entirety of the 12-month program plus time required to receive the AMC Certificate. Each candidate’s level of supervision will be reviewed during completion of the Change in Circumstance form.
Please note: IMGs on the WBA Program with Gold Coast Health must work as a Rotational House Officer for the entirety of the 12-month program. Those in PHO (and above) or streamed positions are welcome to apply so long as they understand this caveat.
The GCHHS Medical Workforce Services Unit works in collaboration with the WBA Program and the Medical Education Unit to allocate WBA IMGs to appropriate rotations, meeting the needs of GCHHS and the minimum requirements as imposed by AMC.
Candidates will be assessed across the following six clinical areas:
- Adult Medicine
- Adult Surgery
- Child Health
- Emergency Medicine
- Mental Health
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Over the 12-month Program, candidates will be required to complete a series of summative assessments, as follow:
| Assessment Method | Number Required | Passing Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-CEX | 12 | Must pass of 9/12 |
| Case Based Discussion | 6 | Must pass 5/6 |
| Multisource Feedback | 2 | Must pass 2/2 |
The GCHHS WBA Program also consists of a number of Formative Assessments in addition which are discussed upon commencement.
Cost
The WBA Program fee at GCH is $12,500 (subject to change), paid on a quarterly basis.
Additionally, there is an AMC fee which is payable directly to AMC.
Frequently asked questions
Currently, Gold Coast Health is accredited to take up to 20 candidates each year. It is expected the program will take 10 candidates twice yearly, however this is subject to change.
The Workplace Based Assessment Selections Committee have established a transparent, fair and robust selection process – see PRO-2437 – Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) Program - Candidate Selection.
All applicants (GCH and QLD Health) are subject to the same selection process with no preference being given to those working for Gold Coast Health.
If you are not currently working for Queensland Health and would like to submit an application to Gold Coast Health, you can do so:
- via the Queensland Health RMO Campaign (opens in June annually).
- by submitting an expression of interest to Medical Workforce Services Unit at GCHMedicalWorkforce-Recruitment@health.qld.gov.au.
- Positions advertised on Smart Jobs Website.
All applications will be assessed on merit and only successful candidates will be contacted. Applications will remain current for 12 months.
GCHHS has been accredited by the AMC to provide a program in which all WBA Candidates are rotated through a variety of clinical areas. Therefore, any non-rotating Medical Officer that is successful will be required to step into a rotational Junior or Senior House Officer role, which will be facilitated by the Medical Workforce Services Unit.
The rotations in which WBA IMGs are allocated is largely dependent on the resourcing needs of the HHS whilst also allocating the mandatory rotations required for the WBA Program. Each candidate is able to provide preferences for when their 5-week block of annual leave will occur during the Program.
If a candidate is scheduled to sit the AMC2 Clinical Examination or awaiting results within eight weeks of the EOI opening, they will not be eligible for that intake.
Candidates that are scheduled to sit the AMC Clinical Exam more than eight weeks following the EOI opening are welcome to apply, however if selected, they will need to provide proof of withdrawal from the Exam to proceed with their application.
More information
For more information please visit - Workplace based assessment (amc.org.au)
WBA Program Manager
Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service
E: GCHWBA@health.qld.gov.au
