Accredited Training Networks Project

By participating in an ATN, trainees receive tailored, flexible, and high-quality training across a variety of settings, equipping them for a diverse range of EM careers and ensuring they are prepared for independent practice.

High-quality training across multiple sites: ATNs offer trainees access to diverse, high-quality training across urban, regional, and rural settings. This provides exposure to a wide variety of clinical environments and patient cases, ensuring comprehensive education. In some cases, this will be multi-jurisdictional, which will give trainees the opportunity to experience training across interlinked government, industry, and individual sectors.

Consistency and equity in training standards: ATNs will have an ATN DEMT (or co-DEMTs) who works with Site DEMTs to ensure all trainees receive uniform and quality education no matter where they are placed. All sites will work together to maintain consistent training quality across the ATN.

Hybrid and flexible learning models: ATNs integrate virtual masterclasses and tutorials with local face-to-face sessions, ensuring trainees can access expert content while maintaining locally relevant training. The hybrid model allows flexibility in learning, catering to different schedules and formats.

Tailored career support, flexible career pathways and mentorship: Trainees benefit from both structured pathways and the flexibility to tailor their career trajectory. ATNs provide bespoke support that aligns with individual trainee needs, facilitating career progression and enhancing readiness for independent practice. Personalised career planning and mentorship through programs, like ACEM’s Mentor Connect, provide guidance on career development and maximise opportunities for professional growth across all ATN sites. The ATN DEMT (or co-DEMTs) and Site DEMTs work together to ensure all trainee needs are considered. For trainees, this can mean reduced need for relocation, and a clear and accessible pathway to Fellowship.

Equitable resource allocation: Teaching resources, supervisors, and learning opportunities are distributed fairly across all ATN sites. This ensures trainees at all sites receive the same level of support and opportunity.

Opportunities for professional development, training and growth: Protected teaching time is an ATN-level agreed priority, and an accreditation requirement, with additional supports at ATN-level for ongoing mentoring, peer supports and professional mentors. Trainees are supported to lead, teach, and contribute in a way that both meets curriculum outcomes and personal and professional development.

Valued regional, rural and remote placements: Regional, rural and remote (RRR) placements are promoted as integral parts of the training journey. Rotations across RRR locations offer unique opportunities for trainees to gain hands-on experience in all aspects of emergency care, manage continuity of care and broaden their exposure to conditions which may not be seen in metropolitan hospitals. Critical care and specialised terms in rural posts can also provide early access to anaesthetics training that is particularly suited to EM trainees, without competition from other training pathways.

Workforce and placement support: Clinical placements are considered wholistically throughout the ATN to align with training needs. Rural placements are actively supported, ensuring trainees have access to specialised rotations and necessary workforce resources which are vital for sustainable training environments in regional areas. This creates professional agility, improving career pathways and opportunities for trainees.

As with all ACEM Trainees, ATN trainees are required to comply with the FACEM Training Program – Trainee Agreement and Regulation G FACEM Training Program Regulations for FACEM Trainees Enrolled from 2022 or Regulation B FACEM Training Program Regulations for FACEM Trainees Enrolled prior to 2022. In addition to these requirements, ATN Pilot Trainees have the obligation to:

• Actively participate in the ATN pilot project, demonstrating a commitment to the principles and ethos of the pilot program.
• Engage in regular check-ins with the ATN pilot project ATN DEMT (or co-DEMTs) to ensure alignment with training progress, program requirements and ATN pilot project objectives.
• Attend scheduled ATN orientations to gain insight into ATN-specific expectations and protocols.
• Participate fully in ATN network-led education sessions, ensuring consistent attendance to support the collective learning ethos of the ATN Pilot Program and maximise the value of group-based training initiatives.
• Participate fully in the ATN pilot project evaluation process, comprising commencement, mid and end assessments.
• Actively be engaged during virtual ATN sessions by keeping cameras on and being attentive to the session speaker or task.

Please note, that although the ATN promotes and encourages rotations between sites, trainees who sign up to the ATN are not obligated to rotate to any of the ATN sites. See the eligibility criteria below.

The pilot invites any ACEM trainees who are interested or have an intention to undertake a training rotation to any ATN sites over the next 24 months to join the ATN. All trainees must be currently undertaking ACEM training or applying to join.

Selection into fellowship training: Individuals currently in the process of applying or have recently applied for ACEM training can be considered for the ATN Pilot. To commence on rotation in the ATN Pilot they must have accepted their offer of training and submitted their application to enrol.

Incoming TS1 Trainees: Site representatives at Network sites are encouraged to invite incoming TS1 trainees to join the ATN Pilot.

Existing TS1-TS4 Trainees: Trainees currently undertaking ACEM training between TS1-TS4 are welcome to join the ATN Pilot, given remaining training requirements match the available rotations at Network Sites.

Trainees outside of Pilot Sites: The ATN Pilot welcomes trainees planning on moving to, returning to, or undertaking a rotation to the ATN sites in both NSW and VIC. Trainees rotating from metropolitan or urban settings to an ATN site in NSW or VIC can be considered for a pilot rotation.

Trainees working below 1 FTE: The ATN Pilot welcomes trainees working both part time and full time at the Pilot sites. This means trainees are not required to be 1.0 FTE to join the ATN Pilot.