Becoming a final examiner

Becoming an examiner for the ANZCA Final Examination

Thank you for your interest in joining the Panel of Examiners for the Final Fellowship Examination. Application to the Panel is open to fellows of ANZCA after five years of fellowship. Appointment is subject to the Panel’s requirements, with a commitment to maintaining diversity within the Panel including (but not limited to) geography, gender and subspecialty practice. Examiners are appointed for a term of 12 years, subject to reappointment every three years (after review). 
 
Becoming a Final Examiner carries significant rewards, including professional development and an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across Australia and New Zealand. The Panel of Final Examiners is a wholly volunteer workforce and no remuneration for duties is provided, however reasonable travel, accommodation and meal expenses during the examination period are met by ANZCA.

Examiner Duties

Duties of examiners include, but are not limited to:

1. Setting examination content across all parts of the examination
2. Marking written examination papers
3. Examination of candidates at the anaesthesia and medical viva examinations 
4. Providing feedback interviews to, and participation in, remediation interviews for eligible candidates

Prospective applicants are advised that the commitment of time to examining is significant.

The minimum commitments for all final examiners include:

1. Attendance at the viva examinations (usually in Melbourne or Brisbane but may vary) twice per year in late May/early June and late October/early November. Duration of attendance is at least four days for each viva examination (Wednesday to Saturday). Absence from a viva examination is permitted after the first two years of examining, on application to the Chair of the Final Examination Subcommittee.
2. Participation in the development of examination content 
3. Marking of written examination papers on a rostered basis 
    
    

Additionally, newly-appointed examiners have the following obligations:

1. Attend a one-day New Examiner’s Workshop in Melbourne, held in late January
2. Attend their first four viva examinations without taking a leave of absence

Applicants are advised that to maintain examination integrity and fairness, final examiners are restricted from providing practise viva voce examinations to any candidates from the start of the month of the written examination until after the viva examination of that sitting. 

Applicant Requirements

Applicants must attend one viva examination as an observer, and are expected to possess the following key attributes:

• excellent clinical judgement
• awareness of a broad scope of practice
• commitment to continuous self-assessment and education
• proficiency in standard information technology systems
• ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• superior communication skills
• excellence in time management, including the ability to work to a deadline
• respect for confidentiality and privacy

Applicants are required to fill out the application form, sign a declaration of good character and provide the names of three referees, two of whom should be clinically-active anaesthetists. A reference from the applicant’s head of department is highly recommended to confirm the department’s commitment to providing leave for the examination periods. 

Interested fellows should email [email protected] to request an application pack.