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Victoria seeks health professionals
Victoria is so keen to recruit British health professionals they are offering incentive packs to selected doctors and specialists
The packs are part of a multi-million dollar campaign called 'Health careers for a healthy future', which is being promoted by Victorian Health Minister Bronwyn Pike. "The reason for targeting UK doctors is that there will soon be many practitioners out of work here," Pike explains. "From April last year, National Health Service Hospitals wanting to employ doctors from outside the European Union have to prove that a 'home-grown' doctor cannot fill the vacant place. "This means many international medical graduates undertaking post-graduate education can't continue their training. Many of these doctors would be ideal to recruit to Victorian hospitals." She continues: "Because of the similarities between the medical training system in the UK and in Australia we are confident the doctors we recruit from the UK will meet the requirements to practice in their chosen speciality in Victoria." Many health professionals have already been recruited under the new scheme. Among them is Associate Professor Glen Teale, director of Obstetrics and Gynacology at Goulburn Valley Health in Shepparton. "It's very similar to the UK," he observes. "The training is so similar you essentially see no differences and that gives you the confidence to work in the same speciality without repeating examinations."
Doctor Laura Shekerdemian also left the UK to start a new life in Victoria. She currently works as Intensive Care Consultant at the Royal Children's Hospital, and claims that people move to the state for two equal reasons. "One is that overseas people view Melbourne hospitals as very good places to work. The other is that the Royal Children's Hospital is one of the top children's hospitals in the world. "For families, Melbourne is a much easier place to live than London. The lifestyle changes are very easy to take on."
The assessment and registration process
Anybody who wants to practice medicine in Australia has to pass a three-stage assessment. Examinations are set by the Australian Medical Council, and are designed to assess the medical knowledge and clinical skils of international medical graduates for registration purposes.
Stage 1
You must prove yourself to be proficient in the English language. This involves either completing the International English Language Testing System examination and achieving an overall score of 7 or higher, or passing the Occupational English Test administered by Language Australia with grades of A or B in each component.
Stage 2
The next stage requires you to pass a multiple choice questionnaire on the practice of medicine in the fields of internal medicine, paediactrics, psychiatry, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology and general practice.
Stage 3
Finally, you are required to pass a two-stage clinical examination. This evaluates your clinical competence through assessing medical knowledge, clinical skills and proffessional attitudes for the safe and effective practice of medicine in the Australian community. Disciplines covered in the medical exam include medicine and surgery, obsetrics and gynaecology, paediactrics and psychiatry.
Those passing the final stage will be awarded the Australian Medical Council Certificate by the Australian Medical Council. This allows doctors trained overseas to apply for registration, subject to the requirements of the Victorian Medical Board.
The opportunities
Nurses and midwives
Both are urgently required in Victoria, and have a choice of numerous employment opportunities.
In rural Victoria there is a high demand for nurses with general skills, as well as nurses with training, expertise and experience in critical care, emergency care, primary care, peri-operative nursing, palliative care, community and remote area nursing, midwifery, aged care and mental health.
In addition, there are good opportunities for nurses and midwifes in community-based services and larger rural or regional hospitals.
You will need to apply for your visa through the Australian Government's Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)'s Booklet 6. As part of your visa application you will need to have your qualifications and skills assessed.
For more information:
Visa Options for Nurses
Booklet 6, General Skilled Migration
Victorian Health Employment
Nurses Board of Victoria
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council
Physiotherapists
Opportunities exist for physiotherapists to work in a number of settings, including hospitals, community health centres, centres for disables people, mental health services and even rehabilitation facilties. It is also possible to find part-time work.
Visa applicants are advised to read DIAC's Booklet 6, or visit the following site for further information:
Physiotherapists Registration Board of Victoria
Social workers
It is possible for social workers to be employed in public hospitals, community health centres and local government authorities. Visa applications will be assessed by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). For more information on their requirements, contact:
Assessment
GPO Box 4956
Kingston ACT 2604
Australia
Telephone: 0061262730199
Australian Association of Social Workers
Other professionals also in demand are:
Audiologists
Dietitians
Hospital pharmacists
Speech pathologists
Radiation therapists
Occupational therapists
Medical diagnostic radiographers
Clinical psychologists
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