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DiT Member Update

Friday 6 January 2012

Happy New Year to all our DiT members!

In this edition:

 

AMA Victoria membership renewal for 2012 is now due. Renew online now to continue receiving access to member services and benefits.

If you have already renewed for 2012, thank you, and we look forward to continuing to support you in your career for 2012.


 

Classifications and Contracts

AMA has received a high volume of enquiries concerning classifications, rates of pay and contracts.  Through our service to members and our weekly Resident Society hospital lunch meetings across 2011 we have become increasingly concerned that hospitals have misconceived the classification structure under the AMA Agreement. 

With a view to resolve the more controversial classification issues, AMA is currently before the Federal Workplace Tribunal (Fair Work Australia), under member instruction. We are in negotiation with several hospitals on behalf of members who dispute their classification and AMA has initiated negotiations with the professional association representing hospitals (VHIA) and the Department of Health in an effort to reach a consistent, agreed approach to DiT classifications so that all Victorian public hospitals know what they must do. Read the most recent letter here.

While relatively low level advocacy by AMA fixes most issues quickly, the more controversial disputes are not so easily resolved.  Particularly, there is controversy regarding:

  • PGY-4 DiTs being classified HMO,
  • DiTs employed to the hospital system for the first time in 2011 or 2012 being wrongly held to "translation" rules,
  • DiTs not being classified as Registrar despite having the necessary qualities under the AMA Agreement definition and,
  • MO classification not being properly applied to non Registrar, "senior resident" DiTs.

If you have concerns about your contract or classification contact the Workplace & Advocacy Unit on (03) 9280 8722.

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Intern Orientation

AMA Victoria has been invited to speak at all health service intern orientation programs across Victoria for the next two weeks. Interns will learn about the practical distinctions between being a hospital employee for the first time, compared to being a registered medical practitioner, and the importance of enterprise bargaining, which kicks off again in 2012. We will also explain the institutional and public health roles AMA performs, as well as the importance of our lobbying and advocacy on behalf of members.

The 2012 Intern Reception will be held on Friday 13 January at the Royal Melbourne Hotel. Please let anyone you know who is commencing their internship this year about this event and encourage them to register. More information and the registration form can be found on the website.

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DiT member resources: Wage Calculator, AMA DiT Agreement and 2012 DiT Guide.

There are member services and benefits specially tailored to DiT members and their needs. Make sure you take advantage of these to assist you throughout your career.

The Wage Calculator is a resource enabling you to check that you are being paid according to the AMA DiT Agreement 2008-2012. Visit the Wage Calculator now and make sure you are receiving all your entitlements.

The AMA DiT Agreement 2008-2012 is your guide on DiT entitlements. Make sure you refer to the guide to ensure you are receiving all your entitlements. You can view the hyperlinked web based version and download the pdf document here.

The 2012 DiT Guide has just been released. Find out how you can save on products and services provided by AMA Victoria’s preferred providers. The guide is also a way of informing you about how AMA Victoria will be support you and DiT members through advocacy and lobbying.The guide is available for all members to download here.

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Nominations for 2012 DiT Subdivision Committee

AMA Victoria DiT committee nominations for 2012 will open on Wednesday 8 February. Interested in influencing government health policy? Want to ensure that DiTs get the best possible working conditions in the up-coming EBA re-negotiation? Got a great public health or global health idea you want to see come to fruition? You can have an influence. Come along to the February meeting of the AMA Victoria DiT subdivision to nominate for a 2012 DiT Subdivision Committee position. The next meeting will be on Wednesday 8 February 2012 from 7pm (Dinner is provided!). To register your attendance contact David at davidk@amavic.com.au or by calling (03) 9280 8722.

You can find out about the DiT Subdivision Committee here.

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Supporting our older doctors

AMA Victoria now has funding for a new visitor program for elderly doctors, especially those who are isolated or living in residential care facilities. The program aims to create connections between AMA Victoria members and older doctors, through this volunteer program, the Peer Visitor Program.

If you are interested in volunteering or know an elderly doctor who would like to have a regular visitor, please contact Kay Dunkley at AMA Victoria on (03) 9280 8722 (Wednesdays only) or email kayd@amavic.com.au  Training and guidelines will be provided to all volunteers who wish to become a visitor.

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Participate in a research study to help better educate novice doctors about CPR practice

International studies have shown that participating in CPR is one of the activities that cause most concern to graduating doctors.

Dr Peter Barton, Senior Lecturer in the Department of General Practice at Monash University, is about to embark on a research study to explore these issues in an effort to understand how medical students can be better prepared for CPR beyond graduation. This study has Monash University ethics consent.

Dr Barton would like to hear from junior doctors within two years of graduating from medical school who have recently participated in CPR.  An interview will be conducted at time and location of your choice. Your voluntary contribution of valuable experience could make a big difference to future trainees.

For more information and to assist please contact Dr Barton at peter.barton@monash.edu or 0430 375 752.

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The Water Well Project Website Launched

A website has recently been launched as a resource for those interested in The Water Well Project; you can take a look by going to www.thewaterwellproject.org.

The mission of the project is to ‘improve the health and wellbeing of all migrants and refugees in Victoria through education and community empowerment’ You can read more about the project here.

For more information you can contact Dr Linny Kimly Phuong at linny@thewaterwellproject.org.

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Women in Medicine: Raising funds for ovarian cancer research

SPECIAL EARLY BIRD OFFER: All guests who secure their ticket before 27 January 2012 will go into the prize draw to win a beautiful necklace donated by Coussinet Designer Accessories.

To all inspiring women working in medicine, you are invited to attend the next Women in Medicine event. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF). Be inspired by representatives from the OCRF, doctors who work with ovarian cancer patients, as well as an ovarian cancer survivor who is brave enough to share her story. Your emcee for the evening will be Channel Ten personality, Helen Kapalos.

There will be a raffle draw with some great prizes up for grabs. All proceeds from raffle ticket sales will also go to the OCRF. Plus, all attendees receive a complimentary gift bag filled with lovely items donated by our generous supporters.

Help us raise funds for ovarian cancer research by coming along to this very special event. Purchase your tickets here and enjoy a lovely evening whilst helping us raise funds for a worthy cause. Hurry, places are limited.

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Leading in Medical Care: AMA National Conference 2012

The 2012 AMA National Conference will be held at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne on the 25 - 27 May 2012. Registrations will be open soon. Visit the AMA Federal webpage for more information.

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2012 DiT Ball coming soon!

The DiT Ball is one of the must-attend events on the social calendar for DiTs. The previous years have been extremely successful. Watch this space for more details coming soon.  

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Upcoming events

Friday 13 January: 2012 Intern Reception
Monday 27 February: Women in Medcine

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Australian Medical Association (Victoria) Ltd
293 Royal Parade, Parkville Vic 3052
(03) 9280 8722
amavic@amavic.com.au
www.amavic.com.au
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