Royal Prince Alfred Hospital/Wagga Wagga Base Hospital

Training Positions

Core: 2 RPAH + 1 Wagga Wagga Base Hospital

Current trainee/s

Information not provided

Patient Services per standard week

  • Inpatient numbers: 5-15
  • Outpatient clinics: 4-6 per week
  • Referrals: 5-10 consults per week
  • For the Wagga Wagga position outpatient clinics include 4 days per month in Wagga Wagga.

Range of conditions: General rheumatology, inflammatory arthritis, crystal diseases, collagen vascular diseases, soft tissue rheumatism, back pain, osteoporosis and fracture prevention, osteoarthritis, specialty services (pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, myositis, scleroderma autologous stem cell transplantation).

Requirements for On Call/Afterhours (including weekends):

  • Participate in the after-hours roster for the Institute of Rheumatology & Orthopaedics, 1 in 3 weeks (Wed-Sun, via telephone)
  • Involvement in general medical trainee overtime roster as required (1-2 shifts per term)

Education Activities

  • Organise/present unit meetings as directed by the Head of Department.
  • Assistance with and presentation at Grand Rounds as required.
  • Regular meetings: Rheumatology Unit meeting once/week, connective tissue meeting once/month.

Teaching Responsibilities

  • Teaching the junior staff and medical students on the wards in theoretical and practical aspects of patient management.
  • Student teaching of medical student attached to the unit on the wards in theoretical and practical aspects of patient management.
  • Involvement in formal tutorials as directed by Head of Department.

Research Interests of Unit

Crystal arthritis, epidemiological studies, pulmonary hypertension, osteoporosis, collaborative studies with immunology, education, musculoskeletal ultrasound, quality improvement, ILD/Capillaroscopy, myositis, pain management, commercial multicenter international clinical trials, Cochrane systematic reviews, back pain, big data, medical education, doctor wellbeing, and vast opportunities through our new links with the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health (IMH).

Head of Unit

Bethan Richards
Phone: 02 9515 9337
Email: Bethan.richards@sswahs.nsw.gov.au

Staff

  • Peter Youssef
  • Angela Fu
  • Christopher Needs
  • Matthew Parker
  • Jan Vaile
  • Neil McGill
  • Griff Richards
  • Michael Spies
  • Jane Bleasel

Recruitment

Years 1, 2, 3 would be considered for this position.

Essential criteria:

  • MBBS or equivalent, currently registered or eligible for registration with the Medical Board of Australia.
  • Completed FRACP Part 1
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary clinical team - diligence, punctuality, organization, record keeping, time management, problem solving skills, team work.
  • Excellent theoretical knowledge and clinical judgement;
  • Excellent communication (verbal and written) with patients, their families, medical and non-medical colleagues
  • Demonstrates ability to provide empathetic and expert clinical care
  • Demonstrated Commitment to ongoing Advanced Training education, research, teaching and quality improvement

2022 RPAH/Wagga Wagga 1.0 FTE extra information

This position combines the usual opportunities for training and supervision available at RPAH (see previous above) with regular visits to a rural rheumatology clinic in Wagga Wagga. It is a position jointly funded by RPAH and the RACP Specialist Training Program. There are two visits per month. All travel and expenses will be covered by existing funding arrangements. The Wagga Wagga visits provide exposure to rural rheumatology, providing a fly-in fly-out service and experience of working in a private practice environment.