Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Hospital Jobs
A step-by-step guide to getting
the job you want
- for interns and junior doctors.
made with
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Applying for Hospital Jobs
The JMO recruitment campaign
9. More Resources
Applying for jobs interstate
Introduction
Whether you're applying for your first hospital job or looking for a new
position, this eBook was created to ensure you have the latest
information and resources to support you through the job application
process.
This eBook contains the secrets of applying for hospital jobs, as well as many other
hints and tips to help you get the job you want.
With this eBook, coupled with a bit of luck, we are sure that you will make the most of
the opportunities ahead of you.
Applying for Hospital Jobs
In most states and territories there is an annual Junior Medical Officer (JMO)
recruitment campaign, when the majority of vocational and non-vocational positions
for the following clinical year are advertised.
Outcomes of Learning
"Be strategic about your preferences and where you choose to apply, but
apply for the hospitals that you want to be at, not simply based on
whether they are oversubscribed or undersubscribed.
Dr Mah also recommends finding the right fit for your training needs.
"Find out the hospitals' strengths and weaknesses. Chat to people who
have been there before. Base your first preference on somewhere that
will be a good fit for your training needs. At the end of the day, you want
to be happy with your choice.
Write a CV That Gets Noticed
When it comes to applying for a job, writing a CV is an important part of the process.
It's your chance to make a good impression and securing an interview. Writing a CV
that gets noticed is easy when you know how.
Outcomes of Learning
Layout
Use a standard A4 size white page in portrait layout.
Check the application guidelines for the required length of your CV. If length isn't
specified, limiting your CV to two pages is recommended.
Avoid using loud or mismatched colour schemes and images/graphics.
Line breaks and bullet points are good ways of keeping the flow and layout visually
appealing.
Bullet points should be short rather than long sentences.
Typeface and Font Size
Use a modern typeface - Times New Roman, Mistral, Calibri or Arial are all
acceptable.
Avoid informal looking fonts like Comic Sans or AR Carter.
For the main body of the text try not to go too small. A minimum font size of 11 is
recommended.
Use page numbers.
In the footer of each page, include your full name, the date of your CV and your
signature. This confirms the information on each page is true and correct.
Sample CV
John Doh
18 White Street
Wetland Queensland 6718
0400 221 044
johndoh@gmail.com
Career Intention
Highly motivated, dedicated and clinically competent junior doctor wanting to join a
highly reputable healthcare organisation to enhance and improve skills, abilities and
knowledge.
Education/Qualifications
University of Melbourne 2009 - 2013
Bachelor of Medicine
Distinction course average
Norman Swan Scholarship
Clinical/Procedural Skills
APLS, PIVC, LP, blood culture (peripheral), venepuncture, IV cannulation
Residency/Visa Status
Australian citizen
References
Dr Michelle Bentley
PHHS, General Medicine
mbentley@doctor.com.au
08 9567 7382
Dr Alex Roger
PHHS, General Medicine
alexroger@hospital.com.au
08 9723 3234
References are a critical part of the job application process. They act as a third party
endorsement, validating who you say you are and what you claim you can do. A
strong testimony from a good referee can be a deciding factor in being offered the
job you want.
Outcomes of Learning
Recognise the value and importance of choosing the right people to be referees
Implement strategies to develop your reference list
Ask Permission
Always ask your potential referee for their permission to be contacted.
Some states require your referee to write a report and do it within a specific
timeframe. If this is the case, you might like to give your referee notice.
Calling your referee on the phone will help you personalise the conversation and
make you "real" again.
Be sure to give all referees a copy of your resume, the job description and the
name of the person who will likely call.
After showing your potential referee the position description, ask them will they
be able to give you a good reference. If not, find out what their concerns are. You
may find their feedback useful.
Be Prepared
Keep a list of referees with you when interviewing so that you can be prepared to
present them when the potential employer asks.
Provide clear contact details of your referees, including their names, titles, daytime
phone numbers and email addresses.
Keep your referees informed. The best referees are the ones who know who you
are, what you can accomplish and what you want to do.
Have you asked your referee how they will rate you against the position
description if asked by a potential employer? Make an appointment to discuss this
with them if they are available.
The hardest thing was picking references and getting their details and
making sure they were correct. I wish I was more organised with this
detail.
Dr Campbell also recommends thinking about people who might make good referees
and developing a professional rapport with them ahead of time.
Its never too early to ask a clinician that youre working with to be a
referee for you later on in your career."
Cover Letters That Get
Interviews
A cover letter can be an essential part of your job application. While it's not as long as
your CV, it does require the same attention. A good cover letter ensures your CV
gets read and goes a long way to securing an interview.
Outcomes of Learning
First Impressions
Personalise your cover letter. Dont start out with a generic "Dear Sir/Madam. If
it's not immediately clear who to address your letter to, you may need to do some
investigating to ensure you include their full name, title, hospital or health area.
Calling to find out who your cover letter should be addressed to gives you an
opportunity to find out more about the role. It shows effort on your part.
Often the person you speak to will be on the panel and will recognise you at the
interview. Not only does this give you an advantage over others but it may also
take some of the stress off you in the interview.
Check that youve addressed your cover letter to the right person and hospital. It's
amazing how many applicants get this wrong.
Introduce yourself and state what job you are applying for. Include your ability to
do the job due to your experience and commitment to ongoing learning and
patient-centred care.
List specific reasons why you should be considered for this role. Keep this to no
more than four paragraphs.
Include career highlights/successes/achievements that are relevant to the job.
Call to Action
List your availability and thank the employer/recruiter for their time.
Express your interest in hearing back from them.
Always reread your resume before pressing send. Have a trusted colleague read
over it too. Check for grammar and spelling mistakes, and dont rely on spell
check.
Sample Cover Letter
<Name/Title/Hospital/Email/Phone>
Dear Dr Kaser
I wish to apply for the position of PGY3 Resident Medical Officer as advertised on
<insert detail>. Please find my Curriculum Vitae attached.
Throughout my PGY1 and PYG2 and placements I have attended numerous grand
rounds as well as journal club and educational and multi-disciplinary meetings. I have
demonstrated strong team collaboration, interpersonal skills and effective
communication skills while treating patients and helping other medical students and
junior staff undertake practical skills.
If you require any more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Your sincerely
<signature>
John Doh
Interview Skills That Get Jobs
The interview process allows you to demonstrate that you are the right candidate for
the job. No matter how many job interviews you may have been to, preparation is
essential and gives you the best chance possible of performing at your highest
standard.
Outcomes of Learning
Why have you chosen this hospital as your next potential employer?
Tell us what you know about this hospital, DRGs and the demographics of this area?
Tell us why you are interested in this Internship/Resident Medical Officer position?
How do you cope with pressure situations (breaking bad news, difficult patients, aggressive
behaviour, graded assertiveness)? Please include examples.
Dr Franks also recommends taking copies of your resume, CPD portfolio, recent
assessments/term assessments etc. along to the interview.
Discuss your specific skill sets, not just your CV. For example, are you
competent at US-guided cannulation, or confident in pelvic exams? What
sets you apart? Discuss your CPD portfolio. This shows initative and that
you are committed to your further education. Have you participated in
research, RMO committees, or committees outside of work? They want
to know about this as well."
Documents That Support
Your Job Application
Being able to provide up-to-date details on any training youve completed or courses
youve attended helps employers to get a full picture of you as a candidate and also
provides confirmation of the details listed on your CV.
Outcomes of Learning
Identify original documents that are required during the interview and/or
application process
Construct your own documentation portfolio to manage all your important
documents
Personal Details
Title:
First Name:
Surname:
Address:
Suburb:
State:
Postcode:
Country:
Telephone:
Email Address:
Date of Birth:
Registration Type:
Professional Membership/s:
Professional/Academic Achievements
Undergraduate Qualifications
Postgraduate Qualifications
Awards/Nominations
Year Citation
Research Activities
Quality Activities
Conference Attendance
Year Conference
Short Course/PDL/Training
A career in medicine can be stressful. While you cant change the many hours of work,
the stress caused by staff shortages and the anxiety concerning grades and applying
for jobs, there are many things you can do to change their impact on you.
Outcomes of Learning
Colleges:
These groups exist at most training hospitals. Communication between junior doctors
happens on Facebook, through RMO Facebook groups as well as notice boards in
junior doctor break rooms.
JMO Health
JMO Survival Guide 2017: Written by Junior Doctors for Junior Doctors
Beyond Blue
Lifeline
Employee Assistance Program
Smiling Mind
One in five medical students and one in 10 doctors had suicidal thoughts in the previous year.
3.4% of doctors were experiencing very high psychological distress, much greater than the
wider community figure of 2.6%.
Young doctors work longer hours, were far more psychologically distressed, thought about
suicide more and were more burnt-out than their older colleagues.
Almost half of respondents thought doctors were less likely to appoint doctors with a history
of depression or anxiety.
Doctors were resilient and were often able to limit any negative personal or professional
impact of poor mental health.
More Resources
There are a range of resources available to assist you navigate the job application
process.
Outcomes of Learning
MedVersus
With seemingly limitless medical specialties, the choices can be daunting, particularly
at an undergraduate level. Thats why GPTQ has created MedVersus, a helpful
comparison tool that allows you to compare all Australian medical specialities, the
hours per week, the numbers of trainees in each profession and more in just seconds.
MedQuiz
Personality matters, and we know it can affect parts of our lives, including how we
navigate our career. To give you a greater understanding of your personality traits,
GPTQ has created MedQuiz. Quick and easy to use, this online test will give you an
insight into your personality as well as matching you to the perfect medical speciality.
MedScholar
If you have decided that a career in medicine is for you but you are concerned about
how you are going to afford medical school, applying for a scholarship can lessen the
financial burden. GPTQs MedScholar database allows you to sort through all the
available Australian medical scholarships in one place, quickly and easily. Filter by
timing and financial requirements and find the perfect scholarship for you.
GPoptions
Have you decided to become a GP? Or are you currently in the training program
wondering whether to choose a rural or general pathway? With GPTQs GPoptions,
you can find the answers to your all your GP-related questions. With a focus on
general practice, GPoptions provides a place for you to go to access a range of
articles, interviews and important information to help you on your GP journey.
Interns
Ms Janelle Corey
Operational Director
ACT Health
Phone: 02 6244 2507
Email: Janelle.corey@act.gov.au
Ms Elizabeth Walker
JMO Manager
Tel: 02 6244 2779
Email: elizabeth.walker@act.gov.au
New South Wales
Interns
NSW Medical Graduate Recruitment
Phone: 02 9844 6562
Email: HETI-internship@health.nsw.gov.au
Northern Territory
Interns
Medical Officers Recruitment
Email: InternsNT.DoH@nt.gov.au
Phone: 08 8999 2836
Queensland
Interns
Intern Recruitment
Email: Intern-Recruitment@health.qld.gov.au
Interns
Intern Recruitment
Phone: 08 8226 7231
Tasmania
Interns
Intern Recruitment
Email: stafflink@dhs.tas.gov.au
Victoria
Interns
Postgraduate Medical Council of Victoria
Western Australia
Interns
Intern Recruitment
Don't rely on simply filling out the online application. You must also
contact the appropriate person at the hospital you are applying to. Do
this preferably via a phone call rather than email to ensure that you are
on their radar and demonstrate that you have initiative."
Dr Franks also suggests that if you haven't made contact with the hospital, they may
not even consider you, even if you've listed them as your number one preference.
"Make sure you familiarise yourself with the hospital you are applying to,
and not just the resident rotations. Do they have a code of conduct or
mission statement? Many residents will be caught out by questions like
this!"
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