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. This determination will be made within
(20) Business Days of the forms being received.
On approval of accreditation the fellow will be issued with a
Certificate of Post Fellowship Education and Training in Cerebrovascular
Surgery.