Recognition of prior learning for ATP

If you've undertaken vocational anaesthesia training overseas you will be assessed according to whether or not your previous experience was with an education provider approved by ANZCA Council. 

Anaesthesia training programs that are pre-approved by ANZCA Council for RPL are listed in Section 1.6.3 of the Training Handbook.

Regulation 37.7.1.4. covers training in a program not pre-approved by ANZCA Council for RPL; “program” in this context refers to an anaesthesia vocational program.

Non-vocational training positions (such as residents and service registrars) do not meet the eligibility criteria for RPL. ICU or ED trainees can’t claim RPL towards clinical anaesthesia time (CAT) with anaesthesia placements completed as part of their CICM or ACEM training; however, recognition of recent anaesthesia experience may be applicable (regulation 37.7.1.6.).

RPL towards clinical anaesthesia time (CAT) can only be approved towards Introductory Training (IT) and Basic Training (BT).

RPL towards WBAs and VOP will be assessed when you have registered as an ANZCA trainee. Credits will only be assessed from the approved RPL period(s) of training. For example, if you have been approved for 52 weeks CAT, the DPA assessor will review the submitted ANZCA logbook for the corresponding period(s).

If your logbook covers more practice and experience than the maximum possible RPL training time, the DPA Assessor will consider the following in selecting training periods to grant VOP and WBA credits from:

• Equivalence to ANZCA training program.
• Specialised study unit (SSU) requirements.
• Recency of practice.
• Accreditation status of training sites where experience was gained.

Please ensure your logbook is completed accurately and all codes are provided. 

Please note important sections under Regulation 37 governing the award of RPL (below). These sections also answer commonly asked questions:

• Regulation 37.7.1.5, Training prior to registration for approved vocational training in Australia or New Zealand. 
  • Under 37.7.1.5.1, medical practitioners who were not registered with ANZCA as trainees, but who previously completed a period of at least 52 weeks anaesthesia training equivalent to that of a trainee in an ANZCA accredited anaesthesia department, may be eligible for the following credits: 

• 37.7.1.5.1.1. Up to 13 weeks FTE training time in IT.
• 37.7.1.5.1.2. Up to 39 weeks FTE training time in BT.
• 37.7.1.5.1.3. Components of the clinical fundamentals and SSUs.
• 37.7.1.5.1.4. Training time may include up to eight weeks leave which can be credited pro rata if fewer than 52 weeks are credited as RPL.

• Under regulation 37.7.1.5.2, medical practitioners who were not registered with ANZCA as trainees, but who have previously completed all training requirements of the Rural Generalist Anaesthesia training program, may be eligible to have the introductory training (IT) period credited. 
• Under Regulation 37.7, CAT can't be awarded towards Advanced Training (AT), however you may apply for up to 38 weeks OCT to the end of AT.
• Under Regulation 37.19.1, trainees must complete at least 156 weeks full-time equivalent (FTE) approved vocational training (AVT) in Australia and New Zealand. 
• The Director of Professional Affairs (assessor) will communicate the maximum time credit that you have been approved. However, you must confirm whether you would like to proceed with the maximum time credits, as once this has been recorded in MyPortfolio (training portfolio system) it cannot be altered/reversed at a later date. Make sure you allow yourself adequate time to complete all training requirements of a core unit without exceeding the limit of extended training.

You may apply for exemption from the primary exam if you have been admitted as a fellow of an ANZCA pre-approved program as per Handbook section 1.6.3 (for example, if you are a fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (FRCA) or the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland (FCAI)). If exemption from the PEx is approved as an individual RPL request, the date of admission to fellowship of the pre-approved program will be recorded as the date of successful completion of the ANZCA primary exam.

Please note the date of admission to fellowship of the pre-approved program may not necessarily correspond to the date of progression to ANZCA AT if there are other outstanding requirements to be completed.

You may apply for up to 38 weeks of other clinical time (OCT) to the end of advanced training. 

Regulation 37.8.7 outlines eligibility for approved OCT.

Regulation 37.7.2 outlines RPL in an anaesthesia-related specialty.

Please note that RPL will only be awarded if you have worked in a vocational training position as a registered trainee with the relevant specialist medical college. For example, if you as a College of Intensive care Medicine (CICM) registered trainee completed an intensive care unit (ICU) term in an ICU that is accredited for general or limited general training by CICM, you could be eligible.

Exemption from the ICM SSU review must include a supporting letter stating satisfactory performance in a role equivalent to that of a vocational trainee of CICM from the hospital ICU. This letter is usually signed by the director or clinical supervisor of the ICU. Note that time spent in foundation units cannot be counted toward the ICM SSU.

Below is an example of a supporting letter that would be sent to us on a hospital letterhead, noting that the leave limit must be in line with regulation 37.7.1.3.2. Training time may include up to 16 weeks’ leave which can be credited pro rata if fewer than 104 weeks are credited for RPL.

“Dear ANZCA Training team,

I am writing in my capacity as the Director/ICU clinical supervisor at XX hospital to confirm the clinical performance of Dr XXX during their time working in intensive care medicine as meeting expectation of that of a CICM vocational trainee.

Dr XX was employed as an Intensive Care Medical Officer (Senior Registrar) in the Intensive Care Unit at XX Hospital from XX/XX/20XX to XX/XX/20XX. This placement was full-time and Dr XX had taken xx days / weeks of leave during this period." 

As per Regulation 37.7.2.2 training in intensive care medicine (ICM) will only be accepted if it is in a unit accredited for general or limited general training by the College of Intensive Care Medicine, or in another intensive care unit recognised by ANZCA Council for ICM training towards FANZCA.

Please refer to CICM's website for a list of accredited sites.

Credit for scholar role activities is assessed by the Scholar Role Sub-committee and outlined in Regulation 37.7.3 (Recognition of prior learning for scholar role activities).

1. 37.7.3.1. RPL for scholar role activities will be determined by the Scholar Role Sub-committee. 
2. 37.7.3.2. Activities which were part of the primary medical qualification or were completed more than five years before the commencement of AVT are not eligible for RPL. 
3. 37.7.3.3. There is no RPL for completion of the audit activity, the critical appraisal of a paper and/or the scholar role meeting requirements.

 Please contact [email protected] to apply for recognition of SRAs.

Courses will be considered for RPL if:

• The course was completed during the approved period(s) of RPL, or
• The course certificate confirms current validity at the time of RPL application, or
• The course was completed in the last two years at time of application.