Prevocational Standards Accreditation Committee
The Prevocational Standards Accreditation Committee oversees the AMC’s role in setting standards for elements of the prevocational phase of the medical education continuum. The Committee reports to the AMC Directors on its oversight of AMC accreditation and approval processes for intern training accreditation authorities, workplace based assessment providers, and pre-employment structured clinical interview providers. It also provides advice to the Medical Board of Australia on matters relating to competent authorities.
- Addressing policy related to the prevocational phase of training, the workplace based assessment pathway for international medical graduates, pre-employment structured clinical interviews and matters relating to competent authorities
- Providing advice to the Medical Board of Australia on applications from existing or prospective competent authorities
- Reviewing standards
- Reviewing procedures
- Setting up teams for assessments of intern training accreditation authorities
- Making recommendations to AMC Directors on accreditation decisions and any related conditions
- Monitoring providers against the relevant standards and their progress towards meeting outstanding conditions
- Reviewing changes to the way in which providers meet the accreditation standards and determining consequential review and monitoring activity
Intern Training Accreditation Providers
The AMC reviews and accredits authorities that accredit intern training programs in each state and territory on the Medical Board of Australia’s behalf. These authorities are commonly known as postgraduate medical councils (PMC). Prior to commencing accreditation activities a new PMC will submit a paper-based application for initial accreditation to the AMC. If the AMC grants initial accreditation, and the Board approves the authority, the PMC commences accreditation activities. The AMC schedules an accreditation assessment by an AMC team, usually within the first 18 months of operation.
The AMC grants accreditation of new providers for a maximum of three years, and established providers for a maximum of five years subject to satisfactory progress reports. In the last year of the accreditation period, the provider may apply for an extension of accreditation through a comprehensive report, taking the provider up to a maximum of eight years before a reaccreditation assessment by an AMC team.
Queensland Department of Health – Prevocational Medical Accreditation Queensland: Initial accreditation
In May 2018, the AMC considered a proposal by Queensland Health to bring accreditation services in-house at Queensland Health.
The AMC considered information from Queensland Health regarding its plans and provided feedback to be included in the accreditation submission.
The Directors at their 17 December 2018 meeting granted initial accreditation to the Queensland Department of Health – Prevocational Medical Accreditation Queensland as an intern training accreditation authority for Queensland subject to meeting the monitoring requirements of the AMC, including satisfactory progress reports.
Canberra Region Medical Education Council: Extension of accreditation
In 2014, the AMC conducted an accreditation assessment of the Canberra Region Medical Education Council. Since this was a new authority, the AMC granted three rather than five years’ accreditation.
The Canberra Region Medical Education Council submitted its 2018 comprehensive report in October 2018, which was considered by the Committee at its November 2018 meeting.
The Directors at their 17 December 2018 meeting found that the Canberra Region Medical Education Council meets the accreditation domains and agreed to extend the accreditation of Canberra Region Medical Education Council, for five years to 31 March 2024 subject to meeting the monitoring requirements of the AMC, including satisfactory progress reports.
Postgraduate Medical Education Council of Tasmania: Extension of accreditation
In 2013, the AMC conducted an accreditation assessment of the Postgraduate Medical Education Council of Tasmania. The AMC granted the maximum possible period of five years’ accreditation.
The Postgraduate Medical Education Council of Tasmania submitted its 2018 comprehensive report in October 2018, which was considered by the Committee at its November 2018 meeting.
The Directors at their 17 December 2018 meeting found that the Postgraduate Medical Education Council of Tasmania meets the accreditation domains and agreed to extend the accreditation of Postgraduate Medical Education Council of Tasmania, for three years to 31 March 2022 subject to meeting the monitoring requirements of the AMC, including satisfactory progress reports.
South Australian Medical Education and Training Health Advisory Council: Extension of accreditation
In 2013, the AMC conducted an accreditation assessment of the South Australian Medical Education and Training Health Advisory Council. The AMC granted the maximum possible period of five years’ accreditation.
The South Australian Medical Education and Training Health Advisory Council submitted its 2018 comprehensive report in October 2018, which was considered by the Committee at its November 2018 meeting.
The Directors at their 17 December 2018 meeting found that the South Australian Medical Education and Training Health Advisory Council meets the accreditation domains and agreed to extend the accreditation of the South Australian Medical Education and Training Health Advisory Council, for three years to 31 March 2022 subject to meeting the monitoring requirements of the AMC, including satisfactory progress reports.
Workplace Based Assessment Providers
Providers undergo a reaccreditation assessment at least every four years. Reaccreditation assessments are informed by a comprehensive report and the AMC’s experience in monitoring the provider and workplace based program over the accreditation period. Directors make an accreditation decision on advice from the Prevocational Standards Accreditation Committee. The recent change in the length of the accreditation cycle from three to four years enables the AMC to maintain a proportionate approach to WBA programs with a longer period between reaccreditation assessments where warranted, by both balancing the increased rigour of the monitoring process with targeted information requests and the collection of structured annual data across providers, and recognising the recent development work via the AMC’s National WBA Workshop which brought together providers and other stakeholders to cement understanding of accreditation requirements.
Hunter New England Local Health District: Reaccreditation
Hunter New England Local Health District’s comprehensive report and monitoring information was considered by the Committee in October 2018.
The Directors at their 1 November 2018 meeting agreed to extend Hunter New England Local Health District’s workplace based assessment accreditation for three years to 30 June 2021, subject to satisfactory progress reports to the AMC.
Launceston General Hospital: Reaccreditation
Launceston General Hospital’s comprehensive report and monitoring information was considered by the Committee in May 2019.
The Directors at their 23 May 2019 meeting agreed to extend the Launceston General Hospital’s workplace based assessment accreditation for four years, to 30 June 2023, subject to satisfactory progress reports to the AMC.
Monash Health: Reaccreditation
Monash Health’s comprehensive report and monitoring information was considered by the Committee in May 2019.
The Directors at their 23 May 2019 meeting agreed to extend Monash Health’s workplace based assessment accreditation for two years, to 30 June 2021, subject to satisfactory progress reports to the AMC.
Rural and Outer Metropolitan United Alliance: Reaccreditation
Rural and Outer Metropolitan United Alliance’s comprehensive report and monitoring information was considered by the Committee in May 2019.
The Directors at their 23 May 2019 meeting agreed to extend Rural and Outer Metropolitan United Alliance’s workplace based assessment accreditation for 1 year, to 30 June 2020, with a further report required in August 2019.
WA Country Health Service: Transfer of program and Reaccreditation
The November 2018 meeting of the Committee considered the transfer of the Western Australian Department of Health WBA program to the WA Country Health Service and agreed that the program and provider continued to meet the standards.
The Directors at their 17 December 2018 meeting noted the transfer of the WBA program and agreed to extend WA Country Health Service’s workplace based assessment accreditation to 30 June 2019 to meet current reporting timeframes.
WA Country Health Service’s comprehensive report and monitoring information was considered by the Committee in May 2019.
The Directors at their 23 May 2019 meeting agreed to extend the WA Country Health Service’s workplace based assessment accreditation for two years, to 30 June 2021, subject to satisfactory progress reports to the AMC.
Pre-Employment Structured Clinical Interview Providers
International medical graduates applying for limited registration or provisional registration may be required to undergo a pre-employment structured clinical interview (PESCI). The information obtained from the PESCI is considered by the Medical Board of Australia when it decides whether to grant registration.
A PESCI is an objective assessment of knowledge, skills, clinical experience and attributes to determine whether the international medical graduate is suitable to practise in a specific position. The PESCI consists of a structured clinical interview using scenarios.
Organisations conducting PESCI’s must be accredited by the AMC. Applications from prospective PESCI providers are assessed by the Committee through a paper-based process. Accredited providers are required to submit monitoring reports to the AMC (usually annually) and, this information is considered along with information from the Medical Board of Australia on PESCIs undertaken by the accredited providers.
Health Workforce Assessment Victoria: Withdrawal of accreditation
In November 2018, Health Workforce Assessment Victoria advised the AMC that it would be ceasing to provide pre-employment structured clinical interviews from December 2018 following a significant reduction in demand.
The Directors at their 17 December 2018 meeting resolved to discontinue pre-employment structured clinical interview provider accreditation for Health Workforce Assessment Victoria from 31 January 2019 and notified the Medical Board of Australia.
AMC Accreditation Team
Page Created 19 Nov 2019 | Page Updated 28 Nov 2019