PREEMPLOYMENTSTRUCTUREDCLINICALINTERVIEWS(PESCI)

RULESANDREGULATIONSFORINTERVIEWSTOBEHELDVIAVIDEOCONFERENCING

Introduction

For candidates applying for registration in Queensland, the Australian College of Rural and Remote
Medicine(ACRRM) prefers to conduct face toface interviews in a location in Queensland. Candidates
wishingtoundertakethePESCIbyvideoconferencingfromalocationoutsideAustralia,ACRRMrequires
thatthefollowingfourconditionsaremet:

1. ThecandidatemustsupplyACRRMwithacertifiedphotopassportasproofofidentitybeforethe
interviewdate;
2. AninvigilatorapprovedbyACRRMwillbepresentatthecommencementandconclusionofthe
interviewtoverifythattheapplicantisthesubjectoftheinterview;
3. Thecandidatemustarrangeboththeinterviewvenueandinvigilator,andhavetheseapproved
byACRRMpriortothescheduledinterviewdate;
4. CandidatesmeetALLcostsofthevideoconference,includingpayingtheinvigilator.

Thisdocumentsetsouttheconditionsandrequirementsregardingaspectssuchastheselectionofthe
invigilatorandthequalityofvideoconferencingtechnologythatmustbemetbeforetheinterviewcan
beconducted.

RoleandResponsibilitiesoftheCandidate

Each candidate undertaking the PESCI via video conference is personally responsible for each of the
following:

Readingthisdocumentcarefullyandabidingbytherulesasstatedtherein;

Sourcingandbookingasuitablevideoconferencingvenuefortheassessment;

Ensuringthevideoconferencingunittobeusedfortheassessmentattheproposedvenuemeets
theminimumITrequirements;

Sourcingasuitableinvigilatorfortheassessment;

ObtainingcontactinformationfrominvigilatorstofacilitatecompletingthePESCINominatedVenue
andInvigilatorsforminfull;and

Completing and returning the PESCI Nominated Venue and Invigilators form to the ACRRM IMG
AssessmentManager14dayspriortothescheduledinterview.

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Paperworkrequired:

PESCINominationofVenueandInvigilatorsform
Candidates are reminded that there are strict timelines in place for submission of paperwork to the
ACRRMIMGAssessmentManager.Thefinaldateforsubmissionofallpaperworkisby5pmAEST14
daysbeforetheassessmentdate.Failuretosubmitallrequiredpaperworkwillresultinthecandidate
beingdeniedassessmentandnorefundofassessmentfees.Extensionswillonlybeconsideredincases
of extenuating circumstances and when an application has been submitted to the ACRRM IMG
AssessmentManagerinwritinginatimelyfashion.

ArrangementsfortheExaminationVenue
It is the responsibility of each candidate to identify and book a suitable venue to undertake the
examination.VenuesdeemedsuitabletoACRRMinclude:

University;

Hospitaleducationoradministrationdepartments(offices);

Schoolfacility;

PoliceStation;

CourtHouse;or

AustralianEmbassy,ConsulateorInternationalTradeOffice

Pleasenotethatprivateresidences,medicalpractices(privateorgovernmentowned),hospitalclinical
areas(privateorgovernmentowned),andretailbusinessesarenotdeemedsuitable.

OthervenuesmaybesuitableuponapprovalbyACRRM.

Whenidentifyingavenue,candidateswillneedtoconsiderandascertainthefollowing:

After hoursarrangements (access to the building/assessment room, requirements for institutional

logontothevideoconferencemachine).Pleasenotethattheinvigilatormaynothaveauthorityto
accesstheseandthepresenceofarepresentativeoftheorganisationprovidingthevenuemayalso
needtobepresentduringtheassessmentperiod;

Specificationsoftheassessmentroom(goodlighting,quietlocation,goodventilation,etc);

Adequatevideoconferencingfacilities;and

Anyassociatedcostsfortheuseofthevenue.Thiscostisatthecandidatesexpense.

InformationTechnologyRequirements
It is the candidates responsibility to ensure that the assessment venue is equipped with a video
conferencing machine that meets the minimum IT specifications required for completing the
assessment.

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Theminimumspecificationis:

H320ITUstandardsvideoconferencingsystemwith128kpbsISDNcapacity

NominationofInvigilator
A person who holds an appropriate position of authority or responsibility is suitable to act as an
invigilatorforthePESCIassessment.Thosepersonsdeemedsuitableinclude:

Schoolteacher/principal;

Librarian;

Memberoftheclergy;

Lawenforcementofficer;

Justiceofthepeace;

Clerkofthecourt;or

AustralianEmbassy,ConsulateorInternationalTradeOfficeofficialstaffmember

Relatives of candidates, work colleagues or educators involved in preparing the candidate for the
assessmentarenoteligibletoactasaninvigilator.Theabovelistisnotexhaustiveandothersmaybe
considered, subject to consent by ACRRM, who has the sole discretionary authority to approve or
disapproveeachnominatedinvigilator.IfACRRMdeemsthatachoseninvigilatorisnotsuitableforany
reason,thecandidatewillbenotifiedandrequiredtonominateanotherinvigilator.

Undernocircumstancescaninvigilatorsbeoncallorbeavailableforanyconcurrentdutiesoractivities
duringtheprecommencement/commencementorconclusionstagesoftheassessment.

RoleandResponsibilitiesofInvigilators

Themajorresponsibilitiesofeachassessmentinvigilatoraretoprovidecandidateswiththeopportunity
todemonstratetheirmedicalcompetenceunderfairanduniformtestingconditions,andtoensurethe
integrity of the assessment process. This includes ensuring that the assessment is administered
according to the rules and regulations specified in this document, whereby each candidate is
appropriatelysupervisedandremainsundisturbedduringtheassessment.

EachinvigilatorsupervisingacandidateinthePESCIassessmentispersonallyresponsiblefor:

Readingthisdocumentcarefullyandabidingbytherulesasstatedtherein

ProvidingthecandidatewiththeirdetailstoforwardtoACRRMincluding:
-

JobTitle

PlaceofWork

Mobilenumber(whichtheinvigilatorcanbecontactedonifnecessaryduringtheassessmentfor
directcommunicationwiththeassessmentcentreduringtheassessment)

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Emailaddress(whichisaccessedregularlybytheinvigilator,asACRRMwillusethisaddressto
emailimportantinformation)

Ensuringthattheywillbeavailabletoattendatthetimeanddateoftheassessment

Ensuringthattherearenoconflictsofinterestininvigilatingthecandidate,includingbeingarelative
ofthecandidate,closeworkcolleagueoreducatorwhopreparedthecandidatefortheassessment

InvigilatorPaymentforServicesRendered
The invigilators time will be funded by the candidate according to the agreement between the
invigilatorandcandidate.Paymentshouldbepaidtotheinvigilatorbythecandidateinatimelyfashion.

RulesfortheConductoftheExamination

Mandatoryarrivaltimesbeforethescheduledassessmentstarttimeare:

Invigilators:atleast15minutes
Candidates:atleast15minutes

ItemsNotPermittedintheAssessmentRoom
The candidate is not permitted to access any material or communication devices in the assessment
room.Inparticular,thefollowingitemsareNOTpermittedduringtheassessment.

Printedorhandwrittendocumentsornotes;

Medicalnotesortextbooksincludingmedicaldictionaries,PDAs,pagers,recordingdevices,radios,
calculators,walkmans,ipods,MP3players;or

Mobilephonesorotherelectroniccommunicationdevices.

Invigilator is not permitted to bring any personal material into the examination room such as MP3
players,radios,cameras,orcomputers.

InvigilatorsArrivalProcedure
Invigilatorsshouldadheretothefollowingprocedurewhenarrivingattheexaminationvenue:

Turnonthevideoconferencemachineandensurethatitisinworkingorder;

Ensure that the table, seat, airconditioning/heating, and lighting for both the candidate and the
invigilatorsareinreasonableworkingorder;

Ensurethataccesstothebathroomisoperationalincasethiswillberequired,andthatthereareno
hiddenmaterialsinthebathroomthatmayassistthecandidate;

Ensure that no unauthorised person enters the examination room at any time during the
assessment;and

Ensure that the candidates photographic identification is viewed for verification before the
examinationcommences.

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CandidatesArrivalProcedure
Candidatesshouldadheretothefollowingprocedurewhenarrivingattheassessmentvenue:

Submitvalidphotographicidentificationi.e.passporttotheinvigilatorsforverification,toensurethe
invigilatorsaresureofthecandidatesidentity;

Switchoffandsurrendertotheinvigilatorsmobilephonesandanyotherelectronicdevicesforthe
durationoftheexamination;and

HandtotheinvigilatoranyitemintheirpossessionasspecifiedaboveinItemsNotPermittedinthe
AssessmentRoom

ProcedureforLoggingontotheAssessment
Theassessmentcentrewilldialintothecandidatesvideoconferencemachine.Oncethecallarrives,
theinvigilatorwillacceptthecall.Pleasewaitforinstructionsfromtheassessmentcentre.Ifyouare
not advised of any technical problems, the invigilators will confirm that candidates ID with the panel.
The panel will advise the invigilator when it is ready to commence the interview. The invigilator will
handtothecandidateandleavetheroomforaperiodof90minutes.Pleasenotetheinvigilatormust
beclosebyincasethereisatechnicaldisruptiontothevideoconferenceorthecandidaterequiresto
leavetheroomurgently.

UnforseenTechnicalProblems:VideoconferenceDisconnectDuringtheAssessment
The ACRRM technical staff will be monitoring all videoconference connections throughout the
assessment and will be immediately aware if the line drops out. If that occurs, please wait for the
assessmentcentretodialintothevideoconferenceagain.

MisconductandIrregularities

Invigilators or candidates concerned about the management of the conduct of the assessment are
requestedtocompletetheAssessmentIncidentReportwhichisavailablefromACRRM.

Examplesofmisconductorotherincidentsmayinclude:

Uncooperativeinvigilatororcandidate(e.g.notfollowingassessmentprocedure);

Candidatewithunauthorisedmaterialsintheirpossessionafterbeingadvisedonarrivaltosurrender
anymaterial;

Disturbances(e.g.noisyinvigilator,candidate,orenvironment);and

Disruptions(e.g.lossofpowerorcomputermalfunction)

Invigilatorsare not expected to deal with candidates who wish to enter into an argument and should
endeavourtoavoidageneraldisturbance.Invigilatorsshould:

Allowthecandidatetocontinuetheassessmentunlessthereisaclearcaseofsignificantincidentor
misconduct.Iftheinvigilatorisuncertainofthecourseofaction,theyshouldasktheassessoron
screen;

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Confiscateanyunauthorisedmaterialundernocircumstancesisittobereturnedtothecandidate;
and

Reportallformsofmisconductordisturbances,etcusingtheExaminationIncidentReport.

Emergencies
Intheeventofanincidentthatinterfereswiththeadministrationoftheexamination(e.g.powerfailure,
orexternalnoisethataffectstheconcentrationandperformanceofthecandidate),theinvigilatorwill:

Instructthecandidatetostopworking;

Fixthesituation,ifpossible;

Seek advice from the ACRRM panel on screen, or contact assessment centre for the appropriate
courseofactionifnecessary;and

CompleteanAssessmentIncidentReport

ChecklistforCandidates

ReadthePESCIRulesandRegulationsdocument;

Sourceasuitableexaminationvenue;

Sourceasuitableinvigilator;and

CompleteandreturnthePESCINominatedVenueandInvigilatorsform14dayspriortoassessment.
PleasenotethatitisthecandidatesresponsibilitytoprovideACRRMwiththecontactinformation
forboththevenueandtheinvigilators.

ChecklistforInvigilators

ReadthePESCIRulesandRegulationsdocument;and

Providethecandidatewithanemailaddressthatisaccessedregularly,andamobilephonenumber
on which the invigilator can be contacted on the day of the assessment. Please note that the
candidatewillprovideACRRMwiththisinformation.

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