How to apply
Application process
The next round of applications for Monash Health Physician Education Program opens June 2020
Monash Health will have 98 Basic Physician training position in 2021.
- 30 BPT1s
- 30 BPT2s
- 38 BPT3s
Applications must be submitted via the Monash Health eRecruit system.
In addition, you will need to submit an application to the PMCV as we are also constrained by the PMCV central matching system. Monash Health will access your references via the PMCV.
Approximately three candidates are interviewed for each BPT position. Due to resource constraints, Monash Health is unable to interview every applicant.
What we look for in successful candidates
We have very high expectations of our trainees. As a successful Monash BPT, you will show initiative and actively participate in the supervision process. Should you experience any challenges with our learning opportunities, we expect you to discuss your situation with your supervisor.
Collegiality is an essential part of our training method. We are strong believers in the value of peer learning through study groups and heavily promote this aspect of the program. Our goal is not only to train high quality doctors and support them to be successful in examinations, but ensure our trainees are prepared for Advanced Training positions.
The Monash Health Physician Education program works with BPTs on interview technique and CV development early in our program. This increases their success in being selected for Advanced Trainee positions. We run an ‘Optimizing your Advance Training prospects’ seminar every year. We are committed to excellence, so our training programs are constantly evolving and improving.
Selection criteria:
- Doctors who are clinically sound, work well in teams, can pass exams, and have a growth mindset (e. can respond to feedback and change)
- Your references will be taken into account, as will any feedback from doctors with whom you have had contact
- How you come across in the interview is important. Being sensible, hard-working and kind is important to us
- We value a track record of high academic performance (z score or academic prizes), but it is not essential
- We do not expect publications or other extra degrees on your CV at this stage –these are a bonus, but are not as highly weighted as clinical performance at this level
- Preference will be given to doctors who have completed their intern year at Monash Health.
Training campuses
We have three core campuses where we conduct BPT training and five other campuses where trainees do rotations.
Monash Medical Centre (level 3)
Monash Medical Centre is the largest hospital within the Monash Health network with 640 beds. It hosts the majority of subspecialties along with intensive care and coronary care units. Its proximity to Monash University and research institutes provides excellent opportunity for clinical translational research. Many members of the senior medical staff at Monash Medical Centre are involved with on-site research programs.
Monash Medical Centre also provides undergraduate, postgraduate, pre-vocational and vocational training. Our comprehensive physician training program is complemented by weekly general medicine grand rounds, subspecialty grand round, and unit specific radiology and pathology meetings.
Dandenong Hospital (level 2)
The majority of BPT training at Dandenong Hospital is conducted through the General Medicine Unit however there is exposure to sub-specialty inpatient units at Dandenong including Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology with an on-site chemotherapy unit and inpatient dialysis. A consult service is provided for all other medical specialties from Clayton.
The Dandenong Hospital teaching sessions include the Wednesday clinical meeting (case presentation and journal club), Thursday Grand Rounds and Friday Radiology session. During the FRACP clinical examination season, other activities include: public long case presentations, bedside short case tutorials and small group long case sessions.
Casey Hospital (secondment)
Casey Hospital is a rapidly expanding 250 bed peripheral hospital with three general medical units, rehabilitation, geriatrics and palliative care. Endocrinology, ID and neurology consultative services are provided permanently with additional consults offered in line with the subspecialty interests of the rotating physicians. It is expected that an on-site HDU/ICU will open in 2020 and additional training positions will likely be added in 2021. Trainees are supported by Director of Medicine Associate Professor Michael Farmer. Excellent long and short case opportunities with consultant input are on offer.
Other campus rotations include:
- Moorabbin Hospital (secondment)
- Kingston Hospital (secondment)
- Latrobe Regional Hospital – Traralgon (level 1)
- West Gippsland Health Group – Warragul (level 1)
- Epworth Hospital – Richmond (secondment).
All Basic Physician Training in Victoria is provided via Dept. of Health and Human Services Consortia; groups comprised of metropolitan and rural hospitals based on geographical location.
Monash Health is part of the Greater South Eastern Consortia. The Greater South Eastern Consortia (GSEC) is the largest consortia of public hospital services in terms of medical staffing, catchment and geographical area in Victoria. GSEC hospitals are located in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne and Gippsland and include:
- Monash Health – Monash Medical Centre, Dandenong Hospital, Casey Hospital, Moorabbin Medical Centre and Kingston Centre
- Eastern Health – Box Hill Hospital, Maroondah Hospital and Angliss Hospital
- West Gippsland Health Service, Warragul
- Latrobe Regional Hospital, Traralgon
- Bairnsdale Rural health Service
The Greater South Eastern Consortia offers a comprehensive BPT program with all rotations accredited by the RACP and is focussed on candidates preparing for the written and clinical RACP examinations.
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if I miss out on a place on the BPT Program?
Every year about 400 trainees apply for 30 places, so obviously high performing, fantastic doctors are going to miss out. If you miss out, we recommend you consider the following:
- is physician training the best route for you? Would it be worth exploring other options?
- if you are sure it is the path for you, seek advice on how you can work towards opportunities to engage with physicians in either teaching or research roles.
Can I move from General Stream into the BPT program?
Any General HMO is welcome to apply for a place in the BPT program via the normal application process.
I have done medical rotations as a General HMO this year. Will you recognise these if I am accepted into the BPT Program?
All recognition of prior learning is approved by the College, we are unable to approve these. You can discuss this with the RACP, but as a general rule all experience needs to be recognised prospectively. It is very difficult to have any experience recognised retrospectively.