Director of Physician or Paediatric Education (DPE)
DPE Role and responsibilities
A DPE takes a macro level approach to foster a link between the RACP and a training site. In this role, a DPE:
- provides leadership within their workplace or geographic area
- oversees the Basic Training program and provide support for Basic Trainees within their training sites
- provides support to Educational Supervisors and Ward/Service Consultants
- establishes and facilitate local support networks
- completes program administrative work as required
View the current Directors of Physician or Paediatric Education across Australia and New Zealand.
Accredited training sites for Basic Training, except secondment sites, all have a DPE.
Apply
Discuss your interest with the current DPE (or Network Director) and Director of Medical Services (DMS). This could be an opportunity for succession planning, or for you to become a Deputy DPE.
To apply, submit a brief nomination letter from the Director of Medical Services, or equivalent at your training site, along with your CV that outlines your teaching and supervision experience to BasicTraining@racp.edu.au (AUS) or basic.training@racp.org.nz (NZ).
Address your nomination letter to ‘The Chair, Divisional Basic Training Committee’.
Operational information
Registration and application approval
Basic Trainees must register for training each year by the application due dates for their training program. This includes periods of interruption to training.
Late applications will incur an additional fee and, following the introduction of the RACP Progression Through Training Policy (PDF) late applications will not be accepted one month after the application due date.
It is important to remind your trainees of these application deadlines.
Trainees are advised to contact you to discuss their training program before applying to start or re-register for Basic Training.
Submitted online applications generate an automated email notification to you requesting approval of the application and proposed rotations (Australia only).
Basic Trainees nominate their Educational Supervisors and Professional Development Advisor in their annual online application form. If supervisors have not been allocated or change during the year, trainees should advise the RACP Basic Training team.
Approve applications as soon as possible using the Basic Training Online Registration. The RACP will only process applications upon receipt of your approval (Australia only).
If you need help using the online registration system, contact the Basic Training team.
Trainee assessment requirements
Trainee work-based performance is monitored online through the Basic Training Portal. As a DPE when you log in to the portal you will be able to see a list of all your Basic Trainees.
Minimum assessment requirements Basic Trainees, as well as core and non-core time and location of training requirements are set by the relevant RACP Committee.
All Basic Trainees, including pre-PREP trainees who registered before 2008, must fulfil the requirements of the PREP program as outlined in the Basic Training handbooks and on the Basic Training Portal.
Trainees may not be eligible to apply for the Basic Training Divisional Examinations until these requirements are complete.
Continuing Basic Trainees who have completed three years of training and associated requirements, but have not yet passed the Divisional Written Examination or Divisional Clinical Examination must continue to register with the RACP each year for training, work at an accredited Basic Training site and complete the annual PREP tool requirements.
Training program updates
We will email you throughout the year of any changes to training programs.
The RACP also organises regular DPE meetings, which are a useful forum for learning about training program updates. We will send you invitations to these meetings ahead of time.
If you would like further information, please contact the Basic Training team in your country.
Support for DPEs
Training network, site or hospital
Educational Supervisors, Ward Service Consultants (Rotation Supervisors) and Professional Development Advisors form a part of your Basic Training Supervision support team within your training network, site or hospital.
The RACP
The Basic Training Unit based in Sydney and Wellington is responsible for processing applications, certifying training and supporting Basic Trainees and their Supervisors across Austraila and New Zealand respectively. They also support the Division Education and Basic Training Committees, providing advice on program requirements and College policies.
Across the College, regional offices support Australian and New Zealand Regional Committees, including local Trainees' Committees.
Member Support Officers (MSO) in each region can support you by:
- conducting one-on-one consultations to discuss current information and updates from the College.
- receiving feedback to pass on to the relevant College unit and follow up for responses.
- working with you to coordinate professional development events for local Basic Trainees.
- attending Basic Training Orientation sessions to present on behalf of the College on training requirements, policies, trainee support, etc.
- supporting you to complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements via individual consultations or group workshops
- helping to organise and facilitate the Supervisor Professional Development Program (SPDP) workshops
- running refresher sessions on College assessment tools and their purpose, the Training Support Process, education policy and more.