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Fact Sheet for Mentors

About the program

The John Flynn Placement Program (JFPP) is an important part of the Australian government’s strategy to attract more doctors to rural and remote communities. Funded through the Department of Health and Ageing, the program is managed by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

Each year, the JFPP selects 300 medical students from 20 universities to take up unique rural and remote placements. Each student is matched with a medical practitioner as mentor and a community contact who provides support and hospitality. The placements are for a minimum of two weeks per year, usually over a four year period.

The program enables students to form long term relationships with their communities. This strategy is based on the understanding that students who develop bonds and friendships within a community will be more likely to return to that or a similar rural or remote community, as future qualified medical practitioners.

Mentor eligibility

To participate in the JFPP mentors must be qualified medical practitioners, currently registered with their relevant state medical board.

Eligible RRMAs 4 - 7 settings for the JFPP include:

• General practices
• Hospitals
• Aboriginal medical services
• Other medical facilities providing primary health care

Mentor skills

Mentoring is a relationship in which one person shares his/her professional knowledge, skills, attitudes and experiences, to assist the learning and career development of another. The mentoring process provides opportunities for both the student and the mentor to grow and develop. The following attributes contribute to an effective mentoring relationship:

• Willingness to learn and share
• Active listening
• Empathy
• Reliability
• Flexibility

Placement requirements

• Usually students complete four annual placements of two weeks duration in the same community. Subject to approval by ACRRM and the mentor, students may complete eight weeks of placements over a three year period
• Students must stay a minimum of 14 nights in their placement community
• Students must live in the placement community, unless local accommodation is unavailable
• Eight placement weeks must have been completed by the February following the student's final academic year

Placement arrangements

• In July each year new JFPP students and their allocated mentors and community contacts receive an information kit including confirmation of their program inclusion, guidelines, orientation and support materials, and relevant contact details
• Students are advised to make initial contact with their mentor and community contact as soon as possible following notification, to begin the placement planning process
• For second and subsequent placements, students are required to make timely contact with their mentor and community contact, to arrange mutually suitable placement dates
• In the event that a mentor is unable to complete eight placement weeks with his/her student, the mentor should contact the JFPP team at the earliest possible time, to discuss alternative arrangements for the student's placement

Unique placement features

• Responsibility is shared between the mentor and a community contact, who supports the student socially and culturally during placements
• The program is focused on student enjoyment of your community and the opportunity to develop a bond with its people
• Placements are not designed to provide the same level of clinical training as university accredited clinical attachments
• Generally students spend weekdays in the clinical setting and weekends enjoying social activities in the wider community. These arrangements are flexible and responsive to local factors
• In the event that a community contact and/or accommodation is/are not available in a placement location, the mentor may accept additional roles and payments as a community contact and/or community host (contact the JFPP team for further details)

Mentor rewards 

• Satisfaction of passing on your expertise and understanding of rural/remote medicine 
• Increased ability to share your skills and experience
• Opportunity to play a vital role in addressing the rural medical crisis
• ACRRM PDP and RACGP QA and CPD points, for teaching medical students

Payments

• JFPP mentors are paid $300 per week (+ GST)
• Complete and return the bank details section on your JFPP application form to expedite an efficient payment system
• On receipt of your invoice immediately following each placement the JFPP will make prompt payment to your selected bank account

Reporting

Mentors, students and community contacts are asked to provide a brief evaluation to ACRRM within six (6) weeks of each placement completion for quality assurance purposes. A link to an internet-based survey is distributed prior to each placement or a PDF version, below, can be filled out by those with restricted internet access.

Evaluation Survey – Mentor

Insurance

Students are responsible for making their own insurance and indemnity arrangements. Mentors are welcome to ask students to provide a copy of a current indemnity insurance cover note.

Contact the John Flynn Placement Program Team at ACRRM

Phone Freecall: 1800 231 231
Email: jfppacrrm [dot] org [dot] au

Australian college of rural and remote medicine
Gpo box 2507
Brisbane QLD 4001