Paediatrics & Child Health

2019 Handbook

Program
overview
Apply
or re-register
Program
requirements
Additional
resources

Program overview

Basic Training 2019 Handbook cover

The Basic Training in Paediatrics & Child Health Program is the beginning of your minimum 6-year training program to become a Paediatrician. This program includes a broad exposure to a comprehensive range of discipline areas that can be further developed during a subsequent Advanced Training program. Learning occurs primarily in the workplace, supported and supervised by consultants and peers.

Program updates

All our Basic Training Programs are evaluated biennially by overseeing committees to ensure they are in line with educational best practice. The Basic Training Curricula Renewal Project may result in the revision of requirements outside of this cycle. Changes to the training program that could substantially impact trainees will be implemented after an extended notice period. Make sure you're following the correct guidelines during your training.

About the 2019 program requirements

Entry requirements

Prospective trainees must have:

a general medical registration with the Medical Board of Australia, or a medical registration with a general scope of practice with the Medical Council if applying in New Zealand
an appointment to an appropriate training position at an accredited training hospital or health service
approval to apply for Basic Training from the hospital (or network) Director of Paediatric Education (DPE) with approval from the DPE subject to the selection processes, training capacity and/or performance of the prospective trainee

New and current trainees need to apply prospectively for Basic Training each year.

Duration

Basic Training in Paediatrics & Child Health requires 3 years of full-time equivalent (FTE) training. Training completed previously outside Australia or New Zealand may be applied for as Recognition of Prior Learning. See the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy and contact the RACP to confirm your eligibility before submitting your application.

Qualification

Successful trainees are permitted to enrol in Advanced Training within 5 years of completing Basic Training. Eligibility is dependent on the completion of all requirements of training. Once the overseeing committee has recommended you for admission, the RACP will invite you to apply for Fellowship of the applicable Division, Faculty or Chapter of the RACP.

All Fellows in Australia, New Zealand and overseas in active practice must continue to demonstrate they meet the requirements of a Continuing Professional Development program on an annual basis.

Apply or re-register

When open, trainees can use Basic Training online registration.

Both new and current trainees need to apply prospectively for Basic Training each year. Each application for re-registration must have the approval of the local Director of Paediatric Education.

Apply online

Key application dates

Australia

28 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.

New Zealand

31 January: Applications for prospective approval of rotations in the current year.
31 July: Applications for prospective approval of rotations in the second half of the current year.

Timely organise your submission of all necessary documentation and keep a copy of the application for future reference. See also important dates for trainees and supervisors.

Basic Training positions

Basic Training positions are generally 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 your stage of 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 certifies the period of training.

Variations to your training

You should inform the relevant committee as soon as possible if information outlined in your application changes. Some changes may require a revision of the approval decision and may affect your certification of training.

See flexible training options for information on part-time training, interruptions to training, withdrawing from training, exceptional circumstances and time limits.

Late applications

Late applications may be considered up to 1 month after the deadline. Applications received 1 month after the deadline will not be considered unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated in line with the Special Considerations for Assessment Policy. Late applications will incur a late fee.

Fees

The standard annual membership fees apply to the Basic Training in Paediatrics & Child Health program.

Program requirements

By the end of Basic Training, you must have completed 36 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

Australia

Go to Additional resources for this program's curricula

Required rotations
(minimum 24 months)

Supervision

Per rotation:

Network Director (where only a network exists)
Director of Paediatric Education
Educational Supervisor (optional)
Professional Development Advisor (optional)
Ward/Service Consultant (1 per training rotation)

More on Supervision

Teaching and learning requirements

Per year:

4 Learning Needs Analysis (ideally 1 per rotation of 10 weeks or more)
1 Professional Qualities Reflection (optional)

Assessments

Per rotation:

1 Ward/Service Consultant Report

Per year:

4 Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises
1 Mid-Year Progress Report
1 Annual Progress Report

Optional rotations
(maximum 12 months)

Supervision

Per rotation:

Network Director (where only a network exists)
Director of Paediatric Education
Educational Supervisor (optional)
Professional Development Advisor (optional)
Ward/Service Consultant (1 per training rotation)

More on Supervision

Teaching and learning requirements

Per year:

4 Learning Needs Analysis (ideally 1 per rotation of 10 weeks or more)
1 Professional Qualities Reflection (optional)

Assessments

Per rotation:

1 Ward/Service Consultant Report

Per year:

4 Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises
1 Mid-Year Progress Report
1 Annual Progress Report

By the end of Basic Training

You will have completed 36 months of certified training time consisting of:

a minimum of 24 months of the following required paediatric rotations:
- 9 months minimum in general paediatric medicine
- 3 months minimum in paediatric emergency medicine
- 3 months minimum in neonatology in a perinatal unit (maximum total of 12 months across both perinatal and non-perinatal units)
- 3 months minimum in a paediatric medical specialty
at least 9 months at a Level 3 Teaching Hospital over the course of training
remaining 12 months may be spent completing either required or optional training rotations
completion of a Paediatric Advanced Life Support course (or equivalent)

Before admission to Fellowship:

Completion of Developmental and Psychosocial Training (can be completed during Basic or Advanced Training)

Before commencing Advanced Training

To be eligible to enter Advanced Training, you must successfully complete both the Written Examination and Clinical Examination in Paediatrics & Child Health. No exemptions are offered for RACP Written and Clinical Examinations.

New Zealand

Go to Additional resources for this program's curricula

Required rotations
(minimum 24 months)

Supervision

Per rotation:

Network Director (where only a network exists)
Director of Paediatric Education
Educational Supervisor (optional)
Professional Development Advisor (optional)
Ward/Service Consultant (1 per training rotation)

More on Supervision

Teaching and learning requirements

Per rotation:

1 Learning Needs Analysis (minimum 2 per year)

Per year:

1 Professional Qualities Reflection

Assessments

Per rotation:

1 Ward/Service Consultant Report

Per year:

4 Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises
1 Mid-Year Progress Report
1 Annual Progress Report

Optional rotations
(maximum 12 months)

Supervision

Per rotation:

Network Director (where only a network exists)
Director of Paediatric Education
Educational Supervisor (optional)
Professional Development Advisor (optional)
Ward/Service Consultant (1 per training rotation)

More on Supervision

Teaching and learning requirements

Per rotation:

1 Learning Needs Analysis (minimum 2 per year)

Per year:

1 Professional Qualities Reflection

Assessments

Per rotation:

1 Ward/Service Consultant Report

Per year:

4 Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises
1 Mid-Year Progress Report
1 Annual Progress Report

By the end of Basic Training

You will have completed 36 months of certified training time consisting of:

a minimum of 24 months in required paediatric rotations:
- 9 months minimum in general paediatric medicine
- 3 months minimum in paediatric emergency medicine (12 months maximum)
- 3 months minimum in neonatology (12 months maximum)
- 3 months minimum in a paediatric medical specialty (6 months maximum in any one paediatric specialty, except general paediatric medicine)
remaining 12 months may be spent completing either required or optional training rotations (12 months maximum)
completion of a Paediatric Advanced Life Support course (or equivalent).

Before admission to Fellowship:

Completion of Developmental and Psychosocial Training (can be completed during Basic or Advanced Training)

Before commencing Advanced Training

Time-based requirements

The Basic Training Program ensures adequate time for you to gain the necessary learning experiences across a range of rotations spanning three years of training (36 months FTE).

At least 24 of the 36 months of training must be undertaken in Australia and/or New Zealand. This is to ensure that trainees receive adequate exposure to local practices and health services.

Refer to Training Locations and Settings for information on the minimum and maximum amount of time a trainee can spend at various accredited hospitals.

Australia

A minimum of 24 months of Basic Training must be spent in specified required rotations. All rotations must be approved by the Director of Paediatric Education (DPE).

Required rotations	Minimum time required^*
General paediatric medicine	9 months (33-39 weeks)
Neonatology The neonatology rotation must be completed in a perinatal unit that includes the long-term management of ventilated babies. Training in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that doesn't have inborn facilities doesn't meet this requirement.	3 months (10-13 weeks)
Paediatric emergency medicine The rotation must occur in a paediatric emergency department or dedicated paediatric section of a mixed emergency department, where the trainee only sees paediatrics patients.	3 months (10-13 weeks)
Paediatric specialty rotation adolescent health cardiology clinical genetics clinical pharmacology endocrinology gastroenterology/hepatology haematology immunology/allergy infectious diseases medical oncology meatabolic nephrology neurology palliative medicine rehabilitation respiratory and sleep medicine rheumatology	3 months (10-13 weeks)
Developmental and Psychosocial Training Training can be completed during either Basic Training (optional) or Advanced Training Refer to Developmental and Psychosocial Training for the full list of allowed rotations.	No minimum

^* The minimum time required must be completed satisfactorily. This also includes pro-rata leave.

Note: Rotations can only be certified towards one requirement. For example, rehabilitation would be considered for either Developmental and Psychosocial Training or paediatric specialty training. If you would like the Training counted towards a particular requirement, you need to state this clearly on your application form for Basic Training.

Optional rotations

The remaining 36 months of Basic Training can be made up of required or optional training rotations. All rotations must be approved by the DPE.

Optional rotations	Maximum time allowed
Neonatology in a non-perinatal unit (NICU)	12 months (across perinatal and non-perinatal NICU)
Anaesthetics	3 months
Paediatric intensive care unit (PICU)	6 months
Surgery	6 months
Nights	6 months
Relieving	6 months
Supervised research	6 months (in one or a combination of)
Clinical Improved Projects
Adult medicine rotations Rotations are to be supervised and prospectively approved by the DPE. Dermatology: 3 months maximum General practice: 3 months maximum Obstetrics and gynaecology: 3 months maximum

New Zealand

A minimum of 24 months of Basic Training must be spent in specified required rotations. All rotations must be approved by the Director of Paediatric Education (DPE).

Required rotations	Time requirements
General paediatric medicine	9 months minimum 27 months maximum
Neonatology 12 months maximum in neonatology, including skills in neonatal resuscitation and intensive care, OR Sufficient experience in neonatal training to acquire the appropriate skills to manage neonatal emergencies and provide consultation to primary care providers, as determined by the DPE based on a review of logbook experience or other sources	3 months minimum 12 months maximum
Paediatric emergency medicine (or sufficient experience in acute general paediatrics to manage common emergencies, as determined by the DPE)	3 months minimum 12 months maximum
Paediatric specialty rotations In any one specialty, except general paediatric medicine. (or sufficient exposure as determined by the DPE)	3 months minimum 6 months maximum

Optional rotations

The remaining 36 months of Basic Training can be made up of required or optional training rotations. All rotations must be approved by the DPE.

Optional rotations	Maximum time allowed
Adult medicine rotations (can include up to 3 months of adult medicine, obstetrics, supervised general practice)	6 months
Supervised research	6 months
Nights	6 months
Relieving	6 months
Anaesthetics	3 months
Surgery	3 months

Other requirements

Training locations and settings

Basic Training in Paediatrics & Child Health must be undertaken at an accredited training site.

Australia

Level 3 teaching hospitals

Up to 36 months of Basic Training can be undertaken in Level 3 paediatric teaching hospital.
At least 9 of the 36 months of Basic Training must be spent in a Level 3 paediatric teaching hospital.

Level 2 teaching hospitals

Up to 27 months of Basic Training can be undertaken in Level 2 paediatric teaching hospitals.

Secondment hospitals

Training at a paediatric secondment hospital can occur while on rotation in a Level 2 or 3 paediatric teaching hospital.
A maximum of 12 months can be undertaken per paediatric secondment hospital.

New Zealand

Before beginning training at a new training site, trainees should confirm with their Director of Paediatric Education the maximum period of Basic Training permitted at that hospital.

Supervision

Supervisors provide you with appropriate support and guidance to complete your training program. Supervision roles in each rotation:

Network Director (where a network exists only)
Director of Paediatric Education (DPE)
Educational Supervisor (optional)
Professional Development Advisor (optional)
Ward/Service Consultant (1 per training rotation)

Role descriptions

Network Directors provides educational leadership and oversight of the network training program (where a network exists). Their responsibilities include:

providing educational leadership across a network of training settings
being responsible for coordinating the delivery of the Basic Training Program (and all other training programs) across all settings within a network, ensuring the standards of training are of the highest quality
establishing appropriate systems to support a supportive training culture

As the College moves towards a network training structure, it's anticipated that this role will be a requirement across Australia and New Zealand.

The Director of Paediatric Education provides educational leadership and oversight of training program delivery. Their responsibilities include:

providing educational leadership within a training site
planning, implementing, managing and advocating for the RACP Training Program in accordance with College training requirements

DPEs may be part of a networked training program.

Educational Supervisors provides oversight of a trainee's longitudinal progression. Their responsibilities include:

overseeing and monitoring the longitudinal progress of a trainee
assisting trainees to plan learning, providing timely feedback on progress
assembling the evidence of progression to make summative progress decisions, mid-year and end of year progress reports

Ward/Service Consultants provide oversight of trainee teaching, learning and assessment on a rotation. Their responsibilities include:

providing direct oversight of trainees during a rotation
assisting trainees to plan teaching opportunities for the rotation
conducting work-based assessments
providing feedback and completing rotation reports

More information

Continuing Basic Trainees

Continuing Basic Trainees are those who have completed the time-based training requirements but have other requirements, such as examinations to complete before progressing to Advanced Training.

Except for an approved period of interruption, Continuing Basic Trainees must go on to complete training requirements, including assessments and learning activities under supervision, until they pass the Clinical Examination.

Work-based learning and assessment tools

Formative assessments focus on learning through feedback and guidance. The College’s formative assessments aid you and your supervisor through a formal feedback discussion, prompting areas for discussion highlighted by your 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.

Open All

Advanced Life Support (ALS) course

The ALS course (or equivalent) ensures that you have the skills to support patients requiring resuscitation.

Requirement

You must submit a certified copy of your paediatric ALS certificate before completing Basic Training.

The College recommends you complete an ALS course within the first year of Basic Training. You may submit a certificate earned in the 12 months before entering Basic Training.

Developmental and Psychosocial Training

The Developmental and Psychosocial Training assists you to develop 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: One 6-month period of training during your Basic and Advanced Training, due by the end of Advanced Training.

New Zealand: One 3-month period of training during your Basic and Advanced Training, due by the end of Advanced Training.

Allowed rotations

Australia

New Zealand

Adolescent health
Child & adolescent psychiatry
Child protection
Community paediatrics
Developmental/behavioural paediatrics
Paediatric palliative medicine
Paediatric psychiatry
Refugee health
Rehabilitation/disability medicine
Other terms focusing on the above experiences and if approved by the DPE^*

Child & adolescent psychiatry
Child protection
Community child health
Community paediatrics
Developmental/behavioural paediatrics
Paediatric palliative medicine
Rehabilitation/disability paediatrics

Generally unsuitable for Developmental and Psychosocial training^**:

Paediatric gastroenterology
Paediatric neurology

^* DPE approval should consider the purpose of a Developmental and Psychosocial rotation.
^** Contact the Basic Training Unit for case-by-case consideration.

More information

Learn more about Developmental and Psychosocial Training

Learning Needs Analysis (LNA)

The LNA is a formative assessment that assists you to identify your learning needs, plan your learning objectives and evaluate your progress in your practice.

Requirement

The LNA is initiated at the beginning of the rotation, with the self-evaluation completed at the end of the rotation. Pro-rata tools apply for partial training.

Australia: 4 per year (1 per training rotation) due by the end of each rotation, no later than 31 January of the following year.

New Zealand: 1 per training rotation, due by 20 December.

More information

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

Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (mini-CEX)

This mini-CEX formative assessment is used to evaluate your clinical performance in real life settings. It ensures you receive timely, structured feedback on how to improve your practice in areas such as communication, history taking, physical examination and professional practice.

Requirement

A minimum of 4 mini-CEX are to be completed per year, 1 per quarter or rotation. Pro-rata tools apply for partial learning.

Australia: Due by the end of each rotation, no later than 31 January of the following year.
New Zealand: Due by the end of each rotation, no later than 20 December.

More information

Complete and submit the mini-CEX via the Basic Training Portal
See Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises for information sheet, workflow, rating forms and other resources

Professional Qualities Reflection (PQR)

A PQR is a formative assessment that helps you articulate and formalise ideas and insights about your professional development through the process of reflection.

Requirements

Australia: Due by 31 January of the following year at the latest (optional).
New Zealand: 1 per training year, due by 20 December.

More information

Complete and submit your PQR via the Basic Training Portal
See Professional Qualities Reflection for more information

Progress Report

The Progress Report evaluates and provides feedback on your progress, which informs the certification of training decision.

Requirements

1 Mid-Year Report and 1 Annual Progress Report is due each year.

Australia

Annual Progress Report is due 31 January of the following year.
Mid-Year Progress Report is due 31 August.

New Zealand

Annual Progress Report is due by 20 December.
Mid-Year Progress Report is due 31 July.

More information

Access the Progress Report via the Basic Training Portal
Progress Report information sheet
Progress Report workflow
Progression through Training policy

Ward/Service Consultant Report

The Ward/Service Consultant Report is a formative assessment that will guide your learning through structured feedback and help the Educational Supervisor to complete the Mid-Year and Annual Progress Reports.

Requirements

Australia: 1 Report due at the end of each rotation.
New Zealand: 1 Report due by 20 December.

You don’t need to submit the Report to the College but should retain a copy for your records.

More information

Access the Ward/Service Consultant Report via the Basic Training Portal
See Basic Training progress reports for information sheets, workflow and other resources

Examinations

Written Examination

The Written Examination is a summative assessment that confirms you have achieved a standard of knowledge that allows you to progress to an Advanced Training Program.

Requirement

Pass 1 Written Examination to complete this requirement.

A first attempt can only be made once you have achieved 24 months of certified Basic Training.

Timing and location

The Written Examination is held in February each year in capital cities and select regional centres across Australia and New Zealand.

Eligibility

To sit the Written Examination, you must:

be registered with the College by the due date
have 24 months FTE of certified Basic Training by the end of the year prior to sitting the Written Examination
have completed all necessary training requirements
comply with the limit on the number of examination attempts and other requirements for progression through training, which are detailed in the Progression through Training policy (trainees commencing from 2017, the limit is three attempts at the Written Examination)
register for the relevant Written Examination by the application closing date
have all your College training fees paid-up

More information

Read about the Divisional Written Examination

Clinical Examination

The Clinical Examination is a summative assessment that confirms you have achieved a standard of knowledge and skill that allows you to progress to an Advanced Training Program.

Requirement

Pass 1 Clinical Examination to complete this requirement.

A first attempt can only be made once you have passed your Written Examination.

Timing

The Clinical Examination is held in May each year across Australia and New Zealand.

Eligibility

Basic Trainees must:

have passed the Written Examination
be registered with the College by the due date
have 24 months FTE of certified Basic Training by the end of the year prior to sitting the Written Examination
have completed all necessary training requirements
comply with the limit on the number of examination attempts and other requirements for progression through training, which are detailed in the Progression through Training policy (for trainees commencing from 2017 onwards, the limit is 3 attempts at the Clinical Examination)
register for the relevant Clinical Examination by the application closing date
have all your College training fees paid-up

More information

Read more about the Divisional Clinical Examination

Examination Attempt Limits

As part of recent policy changes, the number of examination attempts has reduced from 5 to 3 effective from 2017.

Transitional arrangements

The transitional arrangements provide additional time to complete examination attempts and don't extend the time limit to complete other Basic Training requirements as set out in the Progression Through Training Policy. These requirements are in place to ensure current Basic Trainees aren't disadvantaged.

Examination status (as of 1 January 2017)	Written Exam attempts	Clinical Exam attempts	Maximum time limit to complete exam attempts
New Basic Trainees
Commencing from 2017	3	3	N/A Examinations must be completed within eight years of commencing training
Current Basic Trainees
With no exam attempts	3	3	8 years from 1 January 2017
With no exam attempts who registered in 2016 for the 2017 Written Exam	5	3	8 years from 1 January 2017
Basic Trainees
With 1 attempt or more at the Written Exam	Up to 5	5	8 years from 1 January 2017
With 1 or more attempt at the Clinical Exam	N/A	Up to 5	5 years from 1 January 2017

Note: Time requirements exclude parental leave as set out in the Flexible Training Policy.

More information

Education policies and governance

Important dates

Australia

January

31 January: Previous year's Annual Progress Report and all PREP tools due

February

28 February: Applications for Approval of Basic Training, including Continuation of Registration and interruptions, due
Learning Needs Analysis
Written Examination

March

Written Examination results released
Clinical Examination applications open and close
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

April

Learning Needs Analysis self-evaluation

May

1 May: Applications for assessment of recognition of prior learning close
Clinical Examination
Learning Needs Analysis

June

Clinical Examination results released
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise
Mid-year applications for Basic Training open

July

Learning Needs Analysis self-evaluation

August

31 August: Applications for Approval of Basic Training for the second half of the year due
Learning Needs Analysis
Mid-Year Progress Report

September

1 September: Applications for assessment of recognition of prior learning close
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

October

Professional Qualities Reflection

November

1 November: Annual Applications for Basic Training for the next year open
Written Examination applications for next year open
Learning Needs Analysis

December

Written Examination applications for next year close
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

New Zealand

January

31 January: Applications for Basic Training in the first half of the year
Learning Needs Analysis due

February

Written Examination

March

Clinical Examination applications open and close
Written Examination results released
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

April

Learning Needs Analysis self-evaluation

May

Clinical Examination

June

Clinical Examination results released
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

July

31 July: Applications for Basic Training for the second half of the year due
Learning Needs Analysis
Mid-Year Progress Report

August

Professional Qualities Reflection

September

Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

October

Learning Needs Analysis self-evaluation

November

Written Examination applications for next year open
Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise

December

20 December: Annual Progress Report and PREP assignments due
Written Examination applications for next year close

More information

Additional resources

Curricula / handbooks

Program & Professional Curriculum

Program Handbook

Basic Training in Paediatrics & Child Health Handbook 2017-2018
Basic Training in Paediatrics & Child Health Handbook 2019
Note: this is a PDF version of this online handbook.

RACP resources

Curated collections are learning resource guides based on the contributions and peer review of RACP Fellows and other experts
Pomegranate Podcast is a monthly medical podcast created by physicians, for physicians
Evolve is a physician-led initiative to ensure the highest quality patient care through the identification and reduction of low-value practices and interventions
College Learning Series is an interactive online resource specifically targeted to the needs of basic trainees.

Paediatrics & Child Health

2019 Handbook

Program overview

Program updates

Entry requirements

Duration

Qualification

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