Joint Immunology and Allergy

Program
overview
Apply
or re-register
Program
requirements
Additional
resources

Program overview

ProgCov-Immunology-and-Allergy-RACP-RCPA-Joint-Training-handbook-2017-18

In Advanced Training in Joint Immunology and Allergy you will explore a new depth of specialty training, including the direct care for patients with a diverse range of disorders of the immune system and in the provision of laboratory services. You will train under supervision and prepare for independent practice as a consultant. The program builds on your skills through work-based assessments and learning tools

The Advanced Training in Joint Immunology and Allergy program is a joint program between the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and Royal College of Pathologists Australasia (RCPA).

Program updates

All our Advanced Training programs are evaluated biennially by overseeing committees to ensure they are in line with educational best practice. Changes in program requirements may occur and could impact your training plan. Please ensure you are following the correct guidelines during your training. You can find the latest changes in the 2017-18 program updates

Entry requirements

Prospective trainees must have completed the RACP Basic Training (including written and clinical exams), hold a current medical registration and have appointment to an appropriate Advanced Training Position. New and current trainees need to apply for Advanced Training each year.

Duration

The Advanced Training in Joint Immunology and Allergy program involves a minimum four years (FTE) of accredited training in laboratory and clinical practice.

General Principles of the Joint Training Programs

It is RCPA policy that trainees with Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) are not eligible to undertake joint RACP/RCPA Advanced Training programs. Similarly, trainees who choose to receive FRACP before completion of a joint RACP/RCPA Advanced Training program will not be eligible to continue training in any joint RACP/RCPA program.
Joint trainees must be registered with both the RCPA and the RACP and are supervised by the Committee for Joint College Training (JCT) in Immunology and Allergy.
Joint trainees may not complete both their clinical and laboratory training entirely within one service of an institution, except under extraordinary circumstances, on application to the Board of Education and Assessment via the Registrar.

Qualification

Successful trainees will be admitted to the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) and the Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (FRCPA). Eligibility is depended on the completion of all requirements of training. Once the overseeing committee has recommended you for admission, the College will invite you to apply for Fellowship.

New Fellows will receive formal notification from the College that they have been admitted to Fellowship and receive a letter confirming the completion of their training. All Fellows in Australia, New Zealand and overseas in active practice must meet the requirements of a Continuing Professional Development program.

Apply or re-register

Australia

When open, Australian trainees can use the Advanced Training online registration.

Apply Online

Alternatively, email your filled-out Joint Immunology and Allergy application form (0.5MB) to immunologyallergy@racp.edu.au

New Zealand

New Zealand trainees can email their Joint Immunology and Allergy application form (DOC 0.5MB) to immunologyallergy@racp.edu.au

Advanced Training positions

Core training generally needs to be undertaken at accredited training sites.

Approval and certification of training

Once you have secured a training position, you must prospectively apply for approval as per the Progression through Training Policy .

Approval of training periods will be determined by the overseeing committee. To be approved, your individual training program must be consistent with the training requirements and appropriate for the stage in training.

Upon completion of each rotation or calendar year of training, the overseeing committee considers your progress according to the program requirements. If all requirements of training have been satisfactorily completed, the overseeing committee will certify the period of training.

Variations to your training

See Variations in training for processes cover dual, joint, conjoint and post-fellowship training.
See Flexible training option for information on part-time training, interruptions to training or withdrawing from training, exceptional circumstances and time limits.

Changes to rotation or supervision

If there will be a change to your rotation, re-submit a an amended application form (if the online registration is not open)
Change to supervision must be notified as soon as possible by submitting a Supervisor Detailed Amendment Form (DOC 0.2MB)

Key dates

Closing dates for applications:

15 February - Applications for prospective approval of rotations in the current year.
31 August - Applications for prospective approval of rotations in the second half of the current year.

Trainees must organise the timely submission of all necessary documentation and keep a copy of the application for future reference. See important dates for trainees and supervisors.

Late applications

Late applications may be considered up to one month after the deadline but must include an application for consideration of exceptional circumstances outlining your reasons. Late applications incur a late fee.

Fees

The standard annual membership fees apply to the Advanced Training in Joint Immunology and Allergy and program.

Program requirements

By the end of Advanced Training, you must have completed 48 months of certified training time consisting of several work-based learning and assessment tools. These PREP (Physician Ready for Expert Practice) teaching and learning activities are designed to support you in your reflective practice and self-directed learning. A variety of teaching and learning activities and assessments are used, catering to a range of learning needs, styles and situations that may arise in your workplace training.

Requirements overview

Go to Additional resources for this program's curricula

Core training
(minimum 42 months)

Supervision

Per rotation:

1 supervisor with FRACP (for clinical training rotations)
1 supervisor with FRCPA (for laboratory training rotations)
1 additional supervisor for each rotation who may or may not have FRACP or FRCPA (recommended)

Teaching and learning requirements

Per year:

2 Learning Needs Analysis (only required during core clinical training)

Assessments

Per rotation:

1 Supervisor’s Report
1 Trainee’s Report (NZ only)

Per year:

1 Mid-Year Progress Report (for 12-month rotations)
4 Case-based Discussions (only required during core clinical training)
2 Direct Observations of Procedural Skills (only required during core clinical training)

Non-core training
(maximum 6 months)

Supervision

Per rotation:

1 supervisor with FRACP or FRCPA
1 supervisor who may or may not have FRACP or FRCPA (recommended)

Teaching and learning requirements

Per year:

Assessment

Per rotation:

1 Supervisor’s Report
1 Trainee’s Report (NZ only)

Per year:

1 Mid-Year Progress Report (for 12-month rotations)

By the end of Advanced Training

You will have completed 48 months of certified training time consisting of:

42 months of core training including:

18 months in core clinical training
24 months in core laboratory training

six months of non-core training
Research Project requirement:

1 Research Project (for trainees commencing training in 2017 onwards)
1 Research Project (for trainees who commenced training before 2017)

RCPA Part I Examination
RCPA Part II Examination
Developmental and Psychosocial Training

Time-based requirements

This program ensures adequate time for you to gain the necessary learning experiences across a range of relevant rotations during the total training time of four years (48 months FTE).

Training rotations

42 months core training (minimum):
◦ 18 months core clinical training (minimum)
◦ 24 months core laboratory training (minimum)
6 months non-core clinical training (maximum)

Core training

Core clinical training must be spent in an accredited core clinical training position.
Core laboratory training must be spent in an accredited core laboratory position.

The core laboratory component of joint training ordinarily requires 2 years of supervised training in a diagnostic immunopathology laboratory. However, in exceptional circumstances, you may apply for a full-time research project to count for up to 12 months of core laboratory training.

The project may be part of a PhD or Masters by Research, but this is not a requirement. In order to have this considered you must apply prospectively with a research proposal in the year before the research project is to be undertaken.

Non-core training

You may undertake a maximum of six months of non-core clinical training. You are allowed considerable flexibility in their selection of non-core clinical training. This training may be in Australia, New Zealand or overseas, and may involve clinical practice in an area related to immunology or another relevant area of medical practice. This will often be within an RACP accredited training position in another specialty.

For exceptional circumstances not covered by this, a proposal to the overseeing committee is required.

Training time

At least 12 months of Advanced Training in Immunology, Allergy and Immunopathology must be undertaken in Australia and/or New Zealand. This is to ensure that you receive adequate exposure to local practices and health services.

Work-based learning and assessment tools

Open All

Case-based Discussions (CbD)

This formative assessment will guide your learning through structured feedback and help the supervisor evaluate the expertise and judgement exercised in clinical cases.

Requirement

Four CbDs are to be completed per core clinical year, one per quarter, due by 31 January of the following year.

More information

Enter CbD rating form data into the Advanced Training Portal
See Case-based discussion for information sheets, workflow, ratings and other resources

Developmental and Psychosocial Training

This is a requirement for Paediatrics & Child Health trainees only.
This training assists you in developing a sophisticated understanding of child development, encompassing physical, cognitive, emotional, behavioural and social areas, which should be gained from the perspective of the child within the family and in the context of the community.

Requirement

Australia: Once over entire training period (Basic Training and Advanced Training) for six months due by the end of Advanced Training.
New Zealand: Once over entire training period (Basic Training and Advanced Training) for three months due by the end of Advanced Training.

More information

Developmental & Psychosocial Training

Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS)

This formative assessment is used to guide your learning and achievement of competency in procedural skills, through direct observation and the provision of structured feedback by an experienced assessor.

Requirement

Two DOPS are to be completed per core clinical year, due by 31 January of the following year.

Acceptable produces

For each core clinical year, skin-prick tests and/or intradermal tests need to be performed under observation on two separate occasions. A total of four procedures must be completed during two years of core training, of which one must be intradermal and one skin-prick testing. This includes discussion with the supervisor about the selection of appropriate testing for the clinical context, and appropriate interpretation of the result.

More information

Complete and submit the DOPS via the Advanced Training Portal
See DOPS for information sheets, workflow, rating forms and other resources

Learning Needs Analysis (LNA)

Learning Needs Analysis (LNA) assists you in identifying your learning needs, plan your learning objectives, and evaluate your progress in your practice.

Requirement

Two LNAs are to be completed per core clinical year, one per six month period, early in the rotation, due by 31 January of the following year.

More information

Complete and submit the LNA via the Advanced Training Portal
See Learning Needs Analysis for information sheets and other resources

RCPA Part I and Part II Examinations

Full details of these examinations are available in the RCPA Immunopahtology Trainne Handbook.

More information

See Additional resources for the RCPA Immunopathology Trainee Handbook and more RCPA resource

Research requirements

Research requirements enable you to gain experience:

in research methods
in interpretation of research literature
in participation in research at some stage of your career
to develop quality improvement skills

Submission of a research project provides:

evidence of the skills of considering and defining research problems
the systematic acquisition, analysis, synthesis and interpretation of data
effective written communication

Requirement for trainees commencing training in 2017 onwards

One research project over the course of training is due by the annual submission date of 15 September in any year before the end of Advanced Training.

The research project must be marked as satisfactory prior to admission to Fellowship. It is recommended that you submit your research project by the annual submission date in your penultimate year of training to allow time for marking and resubmission of research projects initially marked ‘Resubmit’.

Requirement for trainees who commenced training before 2017

One research project over the course of training is due by 15 September in the penultimate year of training. A substantial piece of work is required, and it is recommended that the project be planned early in Advanced Training with your supervisor(s).

Ideally the project should be performed during the period of Advanced Training, although earlier studies might be deemed satisfactory if the objective stated above is fulfilled. The project may form part of a higher research degree undertaken during or prior to commencement of Advanced Training.

Presentation skills should be developed by presenting clinical or laboratory projects at the national meetings of the relevant colleges or societies. The project report should be deemed as satisfactory by the supervisor prior to submission, and a statement detailing the supervisors assessment of the merits of the study and verifying your efforts should be attached.

Post-FRACP trainees who complete the requirements of the program as a second specialty may be exempt from project submission if the above objective is fulfilled by the project submitted to the previous overseeing committee. If no such project has been submitted, or it is deemed not to have fulfilled the objective, no exemption will be granted. It is therefore recommended that this be discussed with the Coordinator of Advanced Training early in their training.

Late submission of projects (after 15 September in the penultimate year of training) may delay conferring of Fellowship and may prolong the period of Advanced Training.

Other requirements

The project must be presented in a rigorous scientific format, of a quality suitable for publication, with sections for abstract, introduction, aims, methods, results, discussion and conclusion. A publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal is most suitable for this purpose.

Your exact contribution to the publication should be specified if they are not the author of the publication. This contribution, when separated from the remainder of the publication, must in itself meet the required standards.

A project should meet the following criteria:

It must make a contribution to established medical knowledge.
It must constitute a significant body of work, either as a publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal, or as a scientific report.
It must be presented in a logical sequence and convey a detailed understanding of the topic, with appropriate and comprehensive reference to published medical literature.
It must constitute your original work. Material not directly arising from your work may be included in the report (e.g. as an appendix) or form part of the publication, but will not be considered in determining whether your contribution meets a satisfactory standard.
It will normally constitute between 5000 and 10,000 words, although shorter, concise submissions may be satisfactory if they meet the other criteria.
Work towards the project should normally constitute the equivalent of two–four hours per week over a one-year period.

Projects may constitute one of the following:

A quality assurance activity or clinical audit that refines or attempts to refine standards in patient management within clinical immunology, with recommendations for improvements in patient care.
Analysis of a laboratory test of an immunological condition.
Analysis of a clinical test of an immunological condition.
A case series to identify a novel aspect of an immunological condition.
A case report with detailed laboratory assessment beyond routinely available diagnostic assays. A simple case report is not satisfactory, unless used as an introduction to an extensive literature review.
A small clinical study of a novel therapeutic, or more likely an established therapeutic for a novel condition.
A basic research project within the discipline of immunology.
A detailed review of the literature on an immunological topic.

Other projects outside the above categories may be acceptable as long as they meet the objectives. Such exceptions should be discussed with the Coordinator of Advanced Training in Joint Immunology and Allergy prior to commencement.

More information

Research Projects
Research Projects eLearning@RACP module
See Additional resources for Research Project Cover sheet

Supervisor’s Reports

These formative and summative assessments provide you with structured feedback on your performance mid-year and with a comprehensive overview of your progress at the end of the training year.

Mid-year progress report

This formative assessment provides an opportunity for supervisors and trainees to reflect, discuss and note any problems during the first three months of the program.

Requirement

One report is to be completed per 12-month rotation (core and non-core), completed mid-rotation and due by 15 July.

Final Supervisor’s Report

This summative assessment provides a comprehensive overview of your progress and achievement during the training year. It also informs the certification of training decision.

Requirement

One Final Supervisor’s report is due per rotation.

For Advanced Trainees in 12-month positions: A Final Supervisor’s Report is to be submitted by 31 January of the following year.
For Advanced Trainees in positions of six months or less with separate supervisors, or at separate sites: A Final Supervisor’s Report should be completed for each rotation and submitted by 15 July (for first half of the year) and 31 January the following year (for the second half of the year).
For Advanced Trainees in their final year: A Final Supervisor’s Report is to be submitted by 15 October.

Supervisor's responsibilities:

The Supervisor’s Report must be completed by supervisors who have directly supervised the trainee.
If the supervisor has not directly supervised the trainee throughout the whole rotation, the supervisor should obtain individual reports from those who have directly supervised the trainee and provide a composite report.
Discuss the report with the trainee prior to both parties signing the report, and provide the trainee with a copy of each report.

Trainee’s responsibilities:

Ensure that all supervisors receive a copy of the Supervisor’s Report (failure to do this may result in delays or non-certification of a period of training)
Provide copies of previous Supervisor's Report(s) to the next year's/rotation’s supervisor.

Progression to the next year of training is dependent upon the College receiving satisfactory Supervisor’s Report(s) covering the full year/period of training completed.

More information

Advanced Training Progress Reports
Progression Through Training Policy
See Additional resources for the Supervisor's Reports

Trainee's Report

This is a requirement for New Zealand trainees only
This report provides feedback to the College for use in future training program evaluations and to encourage you to reflect on your training rotations and embed reflection and review into your practice.

Requirement

One per rotation submitted with the Final Supervisor’s Report at the end of each rotation.

More information

Trainee's Reports
See Additional resources for Trainee Report Guidelines and Cover Sheets

Course overview

About work-based learning and assessment tools

Formative assessments focus on learning through feedback and guidance. The College’s formative assessments aid the trainee and supervisor through a formal feedback discussion, prompting areas for discussion highlighted by the trainee’s performance. The College’s formative assessments are based on existing workplace-based assessment methods and best practice in medical education.

Summative assessments focus on judgements about trainee progression, resulting in pass or fail decisions on a trainee’s performance.

Important dates

January - March

15 February: Applications for Approval of Advanced Training due
Mid-February: Applications for RCPA examinations due – trainees must apply to the RCPA directly
Learning Needs Analysis
Case-based Discussion

April - June

Learning Needs Analysis
Case-based Discussion
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills

July - September

15 July: Mid-Year Progress Report for trainees in 12-month positions due.
15 July: Final Supervisor’s Report for trainees in less than 12-month positions due.
31 August: Applications for Approval of Advanced Training for the second half of the year due.
15 September: Research project due for trainees in their penultimate year of training.
Learning Needs Analysis
Case-based Discussion

October - December

15 October: Final Supervisor’s Report and all PREP tools due for trainees eligible for December Fellowship
Learning Needs Analysis
Case-based Discussion
Direct Observation of Procedural Skills

January

31 January: Previous year’s Final Supervisor’s Report and all PREP tools due for trainees not applying for Fellowship in December

More information

Curricula, docs and assessment tools

Curricula / handbooks

Program & Professional Curriculum

Program Handbook

Immunology and Allergy Joint RACP/RCPA Program Handbook 2017-18 (PDF 0.3MB)
Note: this is a PDF version of this online handbook.
Immunology and Allergy Joint RACP/RCPA Program Handbook 2019-20 (PDF 583KB)
RCPA Immunopathology Trainee Handbook (PDF 1.5MB)

Forms and reports

Supervisor's Reports

Immunology and Allergy (joint program) Mid-Year Progress Report (DOC 0.1MB)
Immunology and Allergy (joint program) Final Supervisor's Report (DOC 0.1MB)

Trainee's Reports (New Zealand only)

Immunology and Allergy (joint program) Trainee's Report cover sheet (DOC 0.1 MB)
Immunology and Allergy (joint program) Trainee's Report guidelines (PDF 0.1MB)

Logbook

Clinical Immunology and Allergy logbook template (XLS 0.1MB)

Project report submission

Immunology and Allergy (Joint Program) project report cover sheets (DOC 0.2MB)

RCPA resources

RCPA Immunopathology Trainee Handbook (PDF 1.5MB)
Topics in Immunopathology (PDF 0.8MB)
Immunopathology Portfolio Summary Spreadsheet (XLS 1MB)

Other forms

Supervisor Details Amendment Form (DOC 1MB)

Specialist societies

Specialty societies are medical/scientific societies that bring together research and clinical scientists and physicians who are actively involved in a particular area of medical practice, e.g. cardiology, geriatric medicine. The specialty societies are independent organisations that contribute to physician education through their members’ involvement in College education committees and activities.

Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) is the peak professional body representing Clinical Immunology and Allergy physicians/paediatricians in Australia and New Zealand.

Joint Immunology and Allergy

Program overview

The Advanced Training in Joint Immunology and Allergy program is a joint program between the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and Royal College of Pathologists Australasia (RCPA).

Program updates

Entry requirements

Duration

General Principles of the Joint Training Programs

Qualification

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