Medical Training Opportunities

A state-wide training program in paediatrics is co-ordinated by the WCH and accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Intake is usually 14 trainees per year. Basic training runs for three years and rotations occur through general paediatrics, neonatology, paediatric emergency and medical sub-specialties.

For third and fourth years, registrar rotations are in general paediatrics, paediatric emergency, paediatric subspecialties, child psychiatry and community paediatrics. There is supervised clinical training and regular teaching sessions for basic trainees.

Advanced training lasts three years with positions for general paediatrics consisting of community and regional paediatric rotations, paediatric acute care rotations (neonatal intensive care and emergency) and general paediatric rotations.

Advanced training in subspecialty areas can commence in SA, however would usually require some interstate or overseas experience to complete. Fellowships are available in both clinical and research areas.

Training rotations are available at the WCH, Flinders Medical Centre, Lyell McEwin Health Service, Port Augusta Hospital and Alice Springs Hospital. In addition, there are community paediatric rotations.

Contact

Dr David Baulderstone, Director of Physician Training

Phone

(08) 8161 6484

Email

david.baulderstone@sa.gov.au

In addition to being the largest obstetric hospital in South Australia, the WCH provides a maternal fetal medicine service for South Australia and the Northern Territory and some parts of Victoria and New South Wales.

An extensive orientation program is run at the beginning of each year which covers areas such as emergency, newborn resuscitation and interpretation of fetal heart rate traces.

WCHN Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department currently employs, 12 RMOs and 16 Registrars.

The RMO’s, some of whom are in GP training, and others who are looking to pursue specialist training participate in antenatal clinics amongst other duties.

In addition, the Registrars encompass Advanced Trainees, Core Registrars and Service Registrars. Some are junior registrars aiming to enter the Integrated Training Program the following year, whilst others are more senior and trained overseas and wish to get credentials acknowledged by the College in order to sit the MRANZCOG exam.

The special areas of expertise include maternal fetal medicine with invasive procedures performed such as amniocentesis, CVS, fetal blood sampling and intra-uterine transfusion. There is a special interest in ultrasound scanning.

Registrars rotate through antenatal and postnatal wards and clinics, delivery suite and women’s assessment service (emergency).

Contact

Dr. Dee McCormack, Senior Obstetric Consultant

Email

dee.mccormack@sa.gov.au

Registrars/senior registrars are exposed to a substantial number of major, intermediate and minor gynaecological procedures, with training in the essentials of gynaecological surgery (4-5 operating sessions per week).

Experience can be gained in a range of advanced laparoscopic and hysteroscopic procedures, pelvic reconstructive work, minimal access urological procedures and vaginal surgery.

Registrars have access to a one-stop menstrual disturbances clinic where considerable experience in outpatient hysteroscopy can also be gained. Colposcopy accreditation is available.

The Women’s Assessment Service deals with a significant number of gynaecological emergencies with at least 8-10 ectopic pregnancies per month. The early pregnancy assessment unit offers expectant, medical and surgical treatment for women with non-viable pregnancies.

Contact

Dr Prabhath Wagaarachchi, Director of Gynaecology

Phone

(08) 8161 7635

Email

prabhath.wagaarachchi@sa.gov.au

The Women’s and Children’s Hospital has a range of Paediatric Surgery training opportunities (prevocational and vocational) including rotations through;

• General Surgery
• Urology
• Burns
• Neurosurgery
• Craniofacial Surgery
• ENT Surgery
• Ophthalmology
• Plastic Surgery
• Orthopaedics

Vocational allocations are made by each training speciality college, and pre-vocational positions are sourced through the annual recruitment process.

Contact

Dr Chris Kirby, Medical Unit Head, General Surgery

Phone

(08) 8161 7324

Email

chris.kirby@sa.gov.au

• A number of Resident Medical Officer (Postgraduate Year 2+) positions are available:
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology: 12 month RMO and 12 month Service registrar positions
  • WCH Prevocational Resident Program: 6 Months Paediatrics/ 6 Months Obstetrics and Gynaecology. These positions are designed for TMOs considering a career in general practice, paediatrics or obstetrics and gynaecology. Available rotations include Paediatric General Medicine, General Surgery, Ophthalmology, Neuro/Craniofacial Surgery, ENT Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Paediatric Emergency Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
• Prevocational TMOs have a wide range of education and training opportunities across the hospital and will participate in the educational programs within the departments in which they are working.
• Trainees in Obstetrics may be eligible to enrol for the Certificate of Women's Health or the Diploma in Obstetrics & Gynaecology (DRANZCOG). As there is a limited capacity to provide the required level of training and supervision, TMOs will need approval to commence these qualifications from the Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the Medical Education Unit. Once TMOs have secured a position at WCH there will be a local application process.
• Two Medical Interns (Postgraduate Year 1) rotate from the Central Adelaide Local Health Network for 10 week terms in either either Paediatric Emergency Medicine or Paediatric General Medicine.

Contact

Natalie Michael, Medical Education Officer
Health.WCHMEO@sa.gov.au

Dr Scott Sypek, Director of Clinical Training
Email: scott.sypek@sa.gov.au