Frequently Asked Questions
- When do I have to start applying for hospital jobs if I want to train with IGPE?
- What if I am currently working in a hospital out of region?
- How do I choose my special skills post?
- Can I choose my own basic or advanced GP term?
- How do I get my subsequent GP term?
- How much will I get paid?
- What hours will I be working?
- Does IGPE help in the negotiations?
When do I have to start applying for hospital jobs if I want to train with IGPE?
If you plan to apply to train with IGPE, it would be prudent to plan early and apply to all the hospitals in the region to improve your chances of getting a job offer.
What if I am currently working in a hospital out of region?
If you plan to train with IGPE and still do hospital training, then you will have to be working in a hospital in the region at the start of your GP training.
How do I choose my special skills post?
You may want to choose a post because you have a special interest eg geriatrics, or because you see it as a learning need to develop competency in that discipline. Your medical educator would be a good resource person to contact.
Can I choose my own basic or advanced GP term?
No, the staff from IGPE allocates these terms. The IGPE have a number of core teaching practices, which are committed to supporting and training GP registrars. You will be allocated to one of these teaching practices. Various factors are taken into consideration when allocating these terms, and if you have any particular issues that need to be taken into consideration then we ask you to provide relevant details. The IGPE try as much as we can to match the allocation with your requests but it is not always possible.
How do I get my subsequent GP term?
All Mentor urban terms are done in South South-West Sydney. You will need to get a Mentor Pack from IGPE. In this there is a list of Practices that have shown an interest in taking mentor registrars. You are able to choose your own practice, provided the supervisor meets the criteria in the mentor pack. We suggest you contact a few practices.
This depends on what you negotiate with your GP supervisor. A terms and conditions document is available to guide you in this process. For Basic and Advanced Terms the weekly pay stated in this document is for a 38-hour week, (hence if you work less than 38 hours, you will earn less,). Remember that in most GP terms you will be doing very little overtime or weekend work, so your salary may not be as high as during your hospital terms, as there will not be the added penalty rates.
In addition you are paid to attend all your teaching sessions, which is a luxury not available to many other professionals undertaking postgraduate training.
Again this depends on what you negotiate with your supervisor.
You are expected to participate in ALL the regular opening hours of the practice. (This varies a lot between practices, and Saturday Mornings are considered as part of a normal working week.)
Does IGPE help in the negotiations?
Unless the minimum terms and conditions are not met IGPE will not intervene in the negotiation process, or conditions are unreasonable.