How to become a Training Leader

DEMTs are the principal contact point for trainees at their training site.

As a DEMT you will have a number of important roles including involvement in educational supervision, In-Training Assessments (ITAs) and assisting trainees and coordinating rotations.

All of our Fellows have the opportunity to be a DEMT and we support you undertaking this role by providing training, resources and an online support network. If you wish to apply to become a DEMT, please ensure you have completed all three Cultural Competence Modules on the ACEM website.

How do I apply to become a DEMT?

To apply to become a DEMT, firstly talk to your Director of Emergency Medicine (DEM) who can recommend you to the Regional Censor. The Regional Censor will discuss your suitability for a DEMT role with your colleagues, before making a recommendation to the College to accept and assess your application.

ACEM assess the following qualities and requirements:

• Objectivity
• Fairness and honesty
• Approachability
• Supportiveness
• Ability to form unbiased opinions
• Ability to give constructive feedback
• Three years post-Fellowship (required of at least one DEMT in a co-DEMT model)
• Completion of Cultural Competence Modules

Access the DEMT application form.

Your application will require the support of your DEM and two FACEMs. The outgoing DEMT will also need to use this form to resign from their position.

What are the responsibilities of a DEMT?

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 other posts.

Your duties as a DEMT include:

• 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.

What support will I receive as a DEMT?

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 New Zealand. In addition, ACEM also run DEMT face to face workshops throughout Australia and 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.

Local WBA Coordinators work alongside supervisors at the site to provide support in the completion of EM-WBAs and assessment processes.

How do I apply to become a Local WBA Coordinator?

To apply to become a Local WBA Coordinator, firstly talk to the current Local WBA Coordinator, DEMT and the DEM at the site to gain their endorsement. You can then nominate yourself via the registration form.

The selection criteria for becoming a Local WBA Coordinator also requires:

• Working no less than 0.5FTE in the applicable ED
• Be a certified FACEM or FRACP in a Paediatric ED
• Current understanding of the FACEM Training program

What are the responsibilities of a Local WBA Coordinator?

Local WBA Coordinators lead the administration of WBAs at the site. The responsibilities of this role are:

• Maintaining knowledge of the FACEM Training Program, including Regulation B, ACEM Curriculum Framework and WBA requirements
• Coordinating the completion of EM-WBAs for trainees at the site
• Coordinating EM-WBA calibration and training for supervisors at the site
• Liaising and consulting with the DEMT at the site to facilitate completion of EM-WBAs for trainees and to discuss the progress of all trainees at the site.

What support will I receive as a Local WBA Coordinator?

Local WBA Coordinators 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 Local WBA Coordinators from every other training site in Australia and New Zealand. In addition, ACEM also hold Local WBA Coordinator face to face workshops throughout Australia and New Zealand.