Post Fellowship Education and Training in Paediatric Neurosurgery

Overview

The objective of the Post Fellowship Education and Training (PFET) Program in Paediatric Neurosurgery is to provide competent independent specialist neurosurgeons with advanced procedural experience, knowledge and surgical skill relevant to the safe and effective treatment of complex paediatric neurosurgical conditions. PFET Programs in Paediatric Neurosurgery can be limited to specific complex paediatric neurosurgery practice areas. The curriculum and syllabus can be found in the Post Fellowship Education and Training Regulations available for downloading below.

Download the Post Fellowship Education and Training Program Regulations here

Eligibility and Application

All applicants must have satisfactorily obtained employment in a position accredited for a PFET Program. Applications for employment in accredited PFET Program positions must be made directly to the institutions in which the positions are located. A list of accredited PFET positions is available below. Eligible fellows must apply prior to the commencement of their PFET Program on the prescribed application form available below. Applications from eligible fellows can be made at any time during the year. Applications are considered by the PFET Committee for registration. In considering applications, the PFET Committee will review eligibility and confirm the applicants’ appointment to an accredited position for a PFET Program.

To be eligible, applicants must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or have an appropriate visa to work in Australia or New Zealand as a specialist neurosurgeon in a supervised fellowship position. All applicants must have current and valid medical registration necessary to practice in the position accredited for the Program.

Applicants must also satisfy one of the following:

Satisfactorily completed the FRACS Examination in Neurosurgery; or
Completed the FRACS Examination in a related discipline and have the requisite base experience and scope of practice; or
Completed the Australian Medical Council (AMC) or Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) specialist assessment process resulting in formal recognition as a specialist neurosurgeon; or
Have a specialist training qualification in neurosurgery from a designated competent authority being one of the following: Royal College of Surgeons of England (United Kingdom) FRCS; or Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Canada) FRCSC; or American College of Surgeons (Unites States of America) FACS; or Medical Council of Ireland (FRCSI).

An application fee is payable at the time of application. Application fees are revised annually. The application fee will be $AUD 660 including GST. Applications are considered by the PFET Committee for registration. In considering applications, the PFET Committee will review eligibility and confirm the applicants’ appointment to an accredited position for a PFET Program. If an applicant is deemed ineligible for registration the applicant will be refunded 50% of the application fee paid.

Contact us for a copy of the application forms at [email protected].

Registration

If an applicant is deemed eligible for registration the applicant will be registered in the PFET Program relevant to their accredited sub-specialty position for an initial twelve month duration. The annual registration fee for the first twelve month period is complimentary. Subsequent renewal of registration is available on an annual basis thereafter for PFET Programs running longer than twelve months. Automatic renewal notices will be issued thirty days prior to the registration expiry date.

The registration fee is revised annually. The registration fee will be $AUD660 for all fellows registered in a PFET Program. The registration fee or part thereof is non-refundable.

Commencement

The official commencement date of the PFET Program will be the application date for registration or alternate date nominated at the time of application. No retrospective credit will be given for any training undertaken prior to the official commencement date or undertaken after the PFET Program registration has ceased.

Assessments

Professional Performance Assessment

The assessment of performance by the supervisor is fundamental to advancement of the fellow and the accreditation of the PFET Program. Each PFET position has an approved supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for the supervision and assessment of the fellow in that position.

During the PFET Program the fellows’ performance should be regularly reviewed by the supervisor including a three monthly performance assessment meeting. Completion of the Professional Performance Assessment (PPA) Report, in the prescribed manner, must be undertaken at the conclusion of each six month period. The PPA Reports may also be completed more frequently at the request of the Committee or at any time as determined by the supervisor where any area of unsatisfactory or marginal performance is identified. Further information is available in the Regulations.

Professional Performance Assessment (PPA) Report

Clinical Experience Assessment

Appropriately supervised operative experience must be obtained during the PFET Program in the accredited position. Operative experience acquired prior to the commencement, during a period of interruption, in an institution not accredited, or after the completion of the PFET Program will not be considered. Completion of a Cumulative Logbook Summary (CLS) Report, in the prescribed manner, including the supervisors’ verification that the CLS Report reflects the fellows’ detailed operative experience log must be submitted to the Committee at the conclusion of each six month period. The fellow is responsible for ensuring that the CLS Report is submitted to the Committee by the due date. Further information is available in the Regulations.

Cumulative Logbook Summary (CLS) Report

Research Assessment

The fellow must demonstrate scholarly activity in the sub-specialty area with active participation in clinical and/or basic research during the PFET Program. To be eligible for accreditation of the PFET Program the fellow is required to complete one sub-specialty research project suitable for publication and/or presentation in a peer reviewed journal or scientific meeting during the PFET Program. Research projects completed prior to the commencement, during a period of interruption, in an institution not accredited, or after the completion of the PFET Program will not be considered.

Completion Report

At the completion of the PFET Program the supervisor of registered fellow must submit the PFET Program Completion Report to the Committee. To be eligible for accreditation of the PFET Program the Program Completion Report must confirm that the fellow has satisfied all requirements of the Program and, in their opinion, should be accredited and awarded the Certificate. This report is completed by the supervisor alone. The report will be available to the fellow.

Post Fellowship Assessment Report

The fellow must submit the Post Fellowship Assessment Report providing an honest and accurate assessment of the Program position. The Post Fellowship Assessment Report is used to evaluate the quality of the position in comparison to the accreditation standards and objectives and is used in the renewal and re- accreditation process. The Post Fellowship Assessment Report is made available to the Fellow online following submission of the final assessment reports. The report by the Fellow will be available to the supervisor.

Completion and Awarding the Certificate

Within twenty (20) business days of the completion of the Program registered fellows must submit the following:

(a) The final Professional Performance Assessment Report; and
(b) The Post Fellowship Assessment Report; and
(c) The Cumulative Logbook Summary Report for the Program duration.

Within twenty (20) Business Days of the completion of the Program the supervisor of registered fellow must submit the Program Completion Report.

Accreditation of the Program and awarding of the Certificate is conditional on the submission of the required forms identified above in the manner prescribed within the specified time frames. Applications for Program accreditation must be made after completion of 12 months of the PFET Program by submission of the requisite forms. Accreditation is not an automatic process. Fellows who apply for accreditation more than twenty (20) Business Days after their Program registration has expired will be charged an Assessment Fee. The PFET Assessment Fee is revised annually. The Assessment Fee will be $AUD110 and is not refundable.

Applications are considered by the Committee. In considering applications, the Committee must be satisfied that the PFET Program objectives have been satisfied. On approval of accreditation the fellow will be issued with a Certificate of Post Fellowship Education and Training in Cerebrovascular Surgery.