Medical workforce recruitment and retention

What is the Division's GP recruitment & retention program?
The Division plays an important role in sustaining and increasing the general practice workforce in our region. It involves a part time program manager and full time assistance in attracting general practitioners to the area and to retain existing GPs. Typical services include:

• Targeted recruitment
• Retention
• Locum and support services to assist GPs to gain adequate locum cover for continuing professional development, family and recreation leave  

Challenges
The migratory nature of GPs today and the fact that 51% of the Division's GPs are over 50 years of age, and 11% of these are aged over 60. GP recruitment is thus a perpetual task both to fill vacancies and to replace GPs as they retire.

There is significant competition from all other areas within Australia, so any opportunities to secure a Doctor either permanently or as locum should be acted upon immediately.

Rural practices generally look after a diverse and spread out population. The work can involve on call and after hours work, and potentially a range of procedures with minimal hospital facilities.

Why work in North East Victoria?
North East Victoria offers a relaxed country lifestyle and access to as many recreational activities and pastimes as anyone could wish. There is summer bush walking in the Victorian alps, or cross country skiing in winter, three ski resorts, world class golf courses, bike and walking tracks, gourmet food and wine areas and trout fishing, to name a few. It has well regarded schools, and high quality general practices and friendly rural communities that will make any doctor welcome. We are also located in between  Melbourne and Albury/Wodonga so either city is quite easily accessible.

GP recruitment and locum services
The Division recruits GPs from overseas, within Victoria, interstate and, for GPs to provide locum support to fellow practices, within the Division . It utilises a variety of strategies including its own and other websites.

The Division assists GPs entering the workforce by liaising with various agencies such as RWAV -Rural Workforce Agency Victoria (which has its own Immigration agent) , AHPRA Australian  Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (previously the Medical Board), Royal Australian College of General Practitioners,. It helps with provider and prescriber number applications, medical registration, rural retention applications and assessment of time overseas We also play a major role in matching GPs with practices, arranging practice visits and interviews.

For locum services, the Division is the contracting agent, responsible for arranging provider numbers, negotiating conditions between practices and locum GPs, payment of locum GPs and invoicing practices and providing accommodation if required.