Observerships

The Observership Program is open to:

• Senior colleagues with relationships with MIA clinicians
• Junior specialist colleagues from known units or recommended by senior colleagues with relationships with MIA clinicians
• Speciality trainees

Please note, it is not open to:

• Multidisciplinary team (MDT) guests of clinicians are not part of this program and must complete required consent forms re privacy
• Research students – applications must be made through a clinician or researcher
• Medical student placement – applications needs to be made through a clinical school

This is a competitive program with a maximum of four observerships granted each year (excluding undergraduate medical students)

The duration of the Observership Program with MIA is 1-2 weeks*. The Program must take place between March and October each year.

*Note that a longer duration may be considered in special circumstances under the sponsorship of a senior clinician

The cost of the Observership is $1000 and includes a non-refundable application fee of $300.

The program is designed to familiarise the candidate with Australian melanoma optimal clinical care and also MIA’s research program. The objectives of the Observership Program are mainly clinically related and achieved through observation and attendance of patient rounds and attendance at the Institute’s multidisciplinary team meetings (MDT).

In general, the objectives involve the enhancement of the candidate’s:

• Familiarity with the melanoma diagnosis and treatment landscape from a range of specialities
• Understanding of the clinical decision-making in the multidisciplinary setting
• Understanding of the melanoma patient’s journey (from detection through to late-stage disease).

The structure of the Program will depend on the candidate’s experience, goals and expectations. A schedule of activities will be provided for each accepted applicant prior to their commencement. The structure will be tailored accordingly, allowing each Observer to gain maximum exposure to different disciplines and clinicians throughout their program. It is expected that some time will be spent with all or most of the specialities represented at MIA.

• English language: As the program will be delivered in English, MIA will only select candidates who have a proficient understanding of the English language. Candidates must also be presentable.
• Clinical Practice responsibilities: Observers are unable to participate in any patient care responsibilities such as patient history taking or examination, undertaking patient management or clinical procedures and they cannot document in the clinical record.
• Fellowship Program: The time spent completing the Observership Program is separate to, and does not form any part of. the duration of a Fellowship Program.

Applications for this program can be presented throughout the year to MIA but must be received at least 12 weeks prior to the proposed starting date. The application will be reviewed by the Education Committee Chair or his/her delegated authority. If successful, the applicant will be invited to undertake a video conference interview with the HR Manager.

The application will then be formally reviewed by the Chair of the Education Committee at MIA. If the applicant is successful, an acceptance letter is sent to the applicant, together with a list of mandatory documents that the applicant needs to provide to MIA.

The mandatory documents include:

• Cover letter of application (current medical specialty, purpose of observership, expectations & anticipated achievements)
• Scanned colour copy of medical registration and training (in English)
• Proof of immune/vaccination status for chickenpox, measles/mumps/rubella, polio, pertussis/tetanus (in English)
• Scanned colour copy of passport photo page
• Copy of relevant public liability insurance or indemnity insurance (if you don’t have this, you may need to purchase this yourself if you are a successful candidate)
• Copy of criminal record check documentation and working with children check (if you don’t have this, you may need to purchase this yourself if you are a successful candidate)
• Your resume

The candidate will meet with relevant and/or supervising staff from MIA on a regular basis to assess the objectives as outlined prior to commencement. Feedback from the candidate will also be obtained at the conclusion of the Observership to help improve the Observership Program.