Registrar Liaison Officer
The registrar liaison officer (RLO) is the GP registrar's advocate. The role is filled by a current registrar who represents registrars' concerns. The RLO provides confidential moral support and will mediate on registrars' behalf (with their permission) in any disputes. The RLO liaises between registrars, IGPE, supervisors, medical educators, GPRA and GPET. They often provide handy hints and tips for training.
They are the IGPE registrar representative on the GPRA (General Practice Registrars Australia Ltd) Advisory Council. The GPRA is the national body which represents 91% of Australian GP registrars. It supports the needs of registrars and their families in their training to achieve the promotion of excellence in general practice. It negotiates the national minimum terms and conditions document and makes public comment on relevant registrar issues. The RLO is paid to attend two national GPRA meetings which are usually held in capital cities across Australia. Issues affecting registrars and the GPRA are usually discussed at these meetings. The GPRA will act in accordance with the resolutions made at these meetings.
GPET also expects the RLO to attend the RLO Induction (training) conference and the GPET Annual Convention. These events are usually held in the same city as the GPRA meetings.
The RLO role provides a good opportunity to practice negotiation skills, conflict resolution, counseling, written communication and public speaking. In 2005 the role has a clinical component as the RLO will spend 2 sessions per month at a dermatological clinic. The role also provides an opportunity to travel and meet with other enthusiastic registrars from across Australia. All interested applicants are encouraged to speak to their medical educator and RLO.
Please feel welcome to contact the RLO on 9756-5711 or by e-mail: rlo@igpe.edu.au with any queries. The current RLO is Dr Hanady Nasreddine.