Supervising Committee

Joint Specialist Advisory Committee in Nuclear Medicine (JSAC).

Definition of Specialty

Nuclear medicine is the medical specialty that uses unsealed sources of radioactivity for diagnosis and treatment.

General Principles

1. The purpose of advanced training in nuclear medicine is to build on the cognitive and practical skills obtained during basic training to produce a physician competent to provide, at consultant level, unsupervised comprehensive medical care in nuclear medicine.
   
2. Career training in nuclear medicine consists of a structured program of two years' minimum duration.
   
3. Advanced training in nuclear medicine may be taken by three routes:
   
   • Upon success in the Examination. The duration of this program is three years, at least two of which must be spent in nuclear medicine. One may be spent in an associated medical speciality.
     
   • Post-FRACP or post-Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (FRANZCR). This training is of two years' minimum duration.
     
   • Post-Diploma of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists Part Two Examination. In this case, the two years minimum training in nuclear medicine comprises the elective year before awarding the FRACR diploma plus the subsequent year. Radiologically trained candidates do not qualify for FRACP.
     
4. Periods spent in nuclear medicine positions before success at the FRACP Examination (written and clinical) or the DRANZCR Part Two Examination cannot be accredited towards advanced training in nuclear medicine. However, if a trainee of the RACP is occupying a training position in nuclear medicine during the year in which the examination is passed, the year can, if training is satisfactory, be accredited as an elective year of advanced training that can count towards award of the FRACP.
   
5. Trainees shall spend the equivalent of five full days per week in nuclear medicine over the two-year period (excluding holidays). This training may include clinical nuclear medicine, nuclear medicine research, quality assurance activities related directly to nuclear medicine and teaching of nuclear medicine. Activities that are not directly related to nuclear medicine such as general or other specialist medical training, general or other specialist radiology training such as ultrasound, and private medical practice for remuneration are excluded.
   
6. It is preferable that training is undertaken on a full-time and continuous basis. However, consideration will be given to approving part-time training in certain situations if the proposal has been submitted prospectively and as long as the training is at least half time. Interrupted training periods of less than one year but more than three months will also be considered prospectively.
   
7. At least one year of advanced training will normally be undertaken in Australia or New Zealand.

[ Back to Vocational Advanced Training Menu ]

[ Home ] [ General Information ] [ Basic Training ] [ Advanced Training ]
[ Advanced Vocational Training ] [ Training outside Australia & New Zealand ]
[ Return to RACP Homepage ]

bl