Joint Trainees with RCPA

Trainees applying for joint training programs in Endocrinology/Chemical Pathology, Infectious Diseases/Microbiology, Haematology or Immunology/Allergy are advised to consult the PREP Requirements for Advanced Training for each program. These programs are run jointly with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and are supervised by the Committee for Joint College Training (CJCT).

In several disciplines, training pathways are available in clinical (RACP) only, laboratory (RCPA) only or joint (RACP/RCPA) streams.

An expansion of accredited clinical training positions in most jurisdictions has led to imbalance of clinical and laboratory jobs. As the preferred pathway in many disciplines is joint training, state-based appointment processes have been established to ensure that trainees appointed to joint training will have guaranteed progression through training (e.g. in haematology the 4-year program requires 2 years core clinical, 2 years core laboratory) and clinical only trainees will have access to any required laboratory terms.

The only point of entry to joint training is by successful application to a state appointment committee. Occasionally applicants may be unsuccessful in applying for joint training and an offer of clinical only training is made. Irrespective of the applicants training preference that trainee is then a clinical only trainee. A possible avenue for such trainees is to re-apply for joint training in the following year, and if successful, application for recognition of prior training can be submitted so that the year of clinical training can be counted toward joint training. In this case retrospective college fees would be payable to RCPA.

New Trainee applicants need to obtain an application form from the RACP, in addition to completing the online RCPA Initial Registration Form. Copies of the completed RACP application form must be attached in the RCPA Initial Registration Form and submitted to both the RCPA and the RACP respectively.

All trainees accepted to joint programs must register with both colleges for the entirety of their training and Annual Training Fees are payable to both colleges every year.

Applicants who have been successful in securing a joint training position will be required to provide evidence of appointment to a state based joint training pathway. This would typically be a letter of appointment.

Note that, while RACP & RCPA are totally invested in joint training programs, neither college has a direct role in finding candidates training positions or the provision or funding of positions. The colleges accredit institutions (RCPA - laboratories, RACP - institutions and number of positions) for training based on criteria including supervision, teaching opportunities, workload, and scope of practice.

NB For subsequent annual registrations, only the Annual Application for Approval of Advanced Training form needs to be completed and submitted to the RACP.  All continuing Joint Trainees with the RCPA will be invoiced Annual Training Fees. New trainees joining the College will be invoiced after their registration has been confirmed. Annual Registration Invoices will be emailed to Trainees in mid-January.  Annual Training Fees are to be paid by 1 March.

Please note that in the disciplines of Haematology and Immunopathology there are separate forms for the RACP in Australia and NZ.

For Joint trainees only the Joint/RACP/RCPA Supervisor report is required. These are lodged with the RACP as per the submission requirements indicated on the form. If the training period includes a lab rotation, then an RCPA Portfolio Summary sheet is required.

Annual Supervisor’s Report
Please refer to the important dates for training for submission dates of Registration and Supervisor reports.

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05-Dec-2023
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