New arrangements for the College Assessor role
Following a review of the College’s practices in relation to the role of Assessor, new arrangements are now in place. Fellows and Trainees need to be aware of these changes.
The volume of work associated with the Assessor role on Council has grown significantly in recent years. This growth has come about because of increases in the numbers of Trainees; the many changes to College Regulations affecting Trainee eligibility on various matters in recent times; and an increase in the numbers of matters coming to the Assessor and the complexity of those matters.
In these circumstances, Council has approved a delegation of some of the Assessor functions to an appropriately qualified senior member of staff. This delegation has been effected by the creation of a new staff position at the College: the Director of Professional Affairs (Assessor), and the appointment of a senior Fellow of the College to take up that position.
As from 1 November 2007, Dr Steuart Henderson, FANZCA, has been appointed Director of Professional Affairs (Assessor). Dr Henderson is a former member of the ANZCA Council (1992 to 2004), and held the position of Assessor on Council between 2001 and 2004.
The Assessor position remains a Council function for Assessor policy and oversight, but day-to-day responsibility for decision-making is now delegated to the DPA (Assessor), who will be the sole decision-maker in Assessor cases. The responsibilities of the DPA (Assessor) involve determinations on all Trainee requests, including:
- the eligibility of applicants for entrance to the College examinations;
- the eligibility of candidates for admission to Fellowship of the College;
- requests from Trainees, prospective Trainees, and others in relation to retrospective accreditation, part time training, etc; and
- the College Regulations in force from time to time in respect of Trainee eligibility issues, generally.
Hence, Trainees seeking the decision of the Assessor in relation to eligibility and associated issues for examinations and admission to Fellowship should address their submissions and inquiries to the DPA (Assessor) in the first instance.
Inquiries about this change of practice should be directed in the first instance to the Administrative Officer, Assessor Support, Ms Karen Atkins, on 03 9510 6299 or via email: Assessor-requests@anzca.edu.au or to the Chief Executive Officer, ANZCA at ceo@anzca.edu.au.
8 December 2007
