How to become a Training Leader

• Be currently undertaking clinical work (0.5 FTE or greater) at the relevant ACEM-accredited emergency department.
• Be at least three years post attaining Fellowship (unless a site has co-DEMTs and the other DEMT is at least three years post attaining Fellowship).
• Be in good standing with the College (i.e. financial and CPD compliant).
• Not be applying to be the sole DEM at the site, as well as the local WBA Coordinator or sole Coordinator of a local mentoring program.
• Have completed the three Assessing Cultural Competence Modules:
  • Foundations of Assessing Cultural Competence Module.
  • Assessing Cultural Self-Awareness & Cultural Adaptability Module.
  • Assessing Cultural Literacy & Cultural Bridging Module.

Please note: a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College for Physicians (FRACP) can also apply to be a DEMT in a dedicated Paediatric Emergency Medicine site.

Before applying to become a DEMT, firstly talk to your Director of Emergency Medicine (DEM) who will need to support your nomination to the role. The Regional Censor will discuss your suitability for a DEMT role with you via a phone call, before making a recommendation to the College to accept your application.

• An understanding of the requirements of the FACEM Training Program.
• Engagement in education activities within the emergency department in which they work.
• Experience in the delivery of clinical education programs at postgraduate level.
• Capacity to meet all required ACEM assessment and feedback deadlines.
• Prior experience with mentoring, supervising and/or assessing junior doctors, including the provision of honest, appropriate and timely feedback.

As a DEMT you are responsible for all trainees at your training site, regardless of whether they are working in the emergency department (ED) or rotated to non-ED posts.

• Ensuring an appropriate institution-based training program is in place for emergency medicine trainees.
• ​Acting as the contact person for emergency medicine (EM) trainees and providing information on training programs, examination regulations and opportunities for internal rotations within the institution.
• Providing regular feedback, guidance and support to trainees as they progress through their training.
• Interviewing and counselling new trainees on career choice and training in emergency medicine.
• Encouraging trainees to attend regional faculty courses or conferences.
• Facilitating the rotation of advanced trainees to other units appropriate to their needs.
• Supporting trainees to develop in all domains of the ACEM Curriculum Framework including research skills (scholarship and teaching), effective communication and ethical behaviour (professionalism).

The key facts about conducting In-Training Assessments:

• DEMTs assess and provide structured feedback on overall performance during the training placement.
• ​The assessment usually takes approximately 20 minutes, with five to 10 minutes of feedback.
• DEMTs may select the format of feedback they believe is most appropriate.

DEMTs have access to an online support network through eLearning, which also includes a number of useful resources.

The online support network allows you to discuss the role and responsibilities with your fellow DEMTs from every other training site in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. In addition, ACEM also run DEMT face-to-face workshops throughout Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Face-to-face workshops are held throughout the year and provide valuable information on DEMT feedback principles and ACEM training policies and processes. They are also an opportunity to discuss issues and best practices with your fellow DEMTs.

The ACEM training team also officer an optional orientation phone call a few weeks after an appointment have come into effect for any follow up on processes, IT navigation etc.

• Be currently undertaking clinical work (0.25 FTE or greater) at the relevant ACEM-accredited emergency department.
• Be a currently certified FACEM, or, if appointed as Local WBA Coordinator in a Paediatric Emergency Department, a current certified FRACP or Fellow as defined by the FACEM Training Program Accreditation Requirements.
• Not also be a Director of Emergency Medicine Training (DEMT), Director of Emergency Medicine (DEM) or coordinator of a local mentoring program, or able to relinquish that role if appointed as Local WBA Coordinator.
• Be in good standing with the College (i.e. Financial and CPD compliant).
• Have completed the three (3) Assessing Cultural Competency Modules:
  • Foundations of Assessing Cultural Competence Module;
  • Assessing Cultural Self-Awareness & Cultural Adaptability Module;
  • Assessing Cultural Literacy & Cultural Bridging Module.

Before applying to become a Local WBA Coordinator, firstly talk to your Director of Emergency Medicine (DEM), and one of (if multiple) the Directors of Emergency Medical Training (DEMT) at your site who will need to support your nomination to the role. The Regional Censor or Regional Deputy Censor may also discuss your suitability for a Local WBA Coordinator role with you via a phone call, before making a recommendation to the College to accept your application.

• Active engagement in workplace-based assessment within the emergency department(s) in which they work.
• An understanding of the requirements of the FACEM Training Program, particularly regarding the EM-WBA requirements and trainee progression.
• Engagement in education activities within the emergency department in which they work.
• Experience in the delivery of medical education programs.

As a Local WBA Coordinator, your responsibilities include:

• Ensuring EM-WBAs are being regularly completed by trainees.
• Holding assessor development workshops.
• Facilitating consultant engagement in the WBA process.
• Supporting trainees in difficulty.

• Coordination and completion of EM-WBAs for ACEM trainees.
• Coordination of EM-WBA calibration and training sessions for consultants.
• Meet all College assessment, training, administration and feedback timelines as required.
• Engage with trainees to plan individual learning.
• Regularly consult with your site DEMT to discuss progress of trainees at your site.
• Actively engage in ACEM EM-WBA evaluation processes as required.

Local WBA Coordinators have access to an online support network through eLearning, which also includes a number of useful resources including the Local WBA Coordinator Handbook.

The online support network allows you to discuss the role and responsibilities with your fellow Local WBA Coordinators from every other training site in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Face-to-face and online workshops are held throughout the year and provide valuable information about the latest ACEM training policies and processes, as well as giving you an opportunity to take part in a range of activities and exercises that can help you perform the role successfully. They are also an opportunity to discuss relevant issues and best practices with fellow Local WBA Coordinators.

The ACEM WBA Team offer new Local WBA Coordinators an optional orientation phone call for a detailed look at processes, IT navigation etc. The team are also available for support via phone and email throughout your tenure in the role.