APPLICATION AS CLINICAL RESEARCH FELLOW UNDER PROF. DEDEE F.

MURRELL
Prepared by Mae N. Ramirez, MD (updated as at 25 November 2011) Notes:
The circumstances surrounding your application may be different from mine. Hence, I suggest that you read through all the websites thoroughly to verify information found herein as the rules and requirements change every so often. The following is a result of my experience applying as Fellow. My application is currently a work in progess so expect changes to this guide as I learn along the way. I tried to be as thorough as possible to save you a great deal of time, effort, and money and to help you NOT make the mistakes I did I have attached all documents, forms, guidelines that I have used or referred to in my application that I got from the previous fellows, websites, as well as my personal files. For easier reference, I have sent them in separate emails in an attempt to organize them according to the body/institution that you will need it for, labeled accordingly under email Subject. I have also shared with you .doc or .pdf files of my own documents, so you may see how I filled up my application forms and to make your life so much easier figuring out what to put in yours I ask that you keep these documents private as this may reveal some of my personal information Thank you! I suggest that you list the required documents needed for each application so that you wont have to make several trips to get the same document. Keep at least 1 copy of the original at all times. Do not submit original documents. If documents are in a language other than English, secure a translation (read requirements for translation for each application). Keep a folder containing scanned pdf images of your (original and certified) documents. Please note the AMC and AHPRA have different specifications as to certification of true copies. Your e457 visa will necessitate uploading .pdf files of supporting documents and Profs office will occasionally ask you to send documents as well. Keeping scanned copies will save you time and effort of re-scanning/printing/re-certifying. Entries in green are applicable for Filipino MDs.

Here goes:

1. 2.

Email Prof. Murrell re: your intent to pursue fellowship studies under her supervision along with your updated curriculum vitae ([email protected]). Cc all correspondence with Profs PA, Glendi McNab ([email protected]). Take the IELTS (Academic) (http://www.ielts.org/ ).

This may well be the first step, as you need at least a 7.5 on ALL components (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking) to qualify for limited registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Results take 13 working days. Once received, email a copy to Prof. Tip: Prof is very busy and even if she is abroad, emails re: receipt of documents etc. may be confirmed with Glendi. Resend if you dont seem to be getting a reply after a reasonable amount of time.

3. 4.

You will receive a Letter of Offer from Prof. Murrell. Affix your signature and date, then scan back to Prof. (cc: Glendi). Apply to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) (http://www.amc.org.au/).

IMPORTANT: Do this ASAP because this is where the longest wait time is expected, and also because the in-principle letter that you will request from AHPRA (see below) for your 457 visa application is dependent upon the EICS number which the AMC will provide you. Once on the AMC website, click (http://www.amc.org.au/index.php/img/ver ) International Medical Graduates>Verification

Apply online to get your AMC Candidate Number. Read the handbook and files outlining the steps and pathways I have attached to this email to familiarize yourself. You will then be given instructions for the paperwork you need to submit within 6 weeks upon receipt of your Candidate Number. You do not need to sit the MCQs. Remember you are NOT aiming for Specialist recognition, but as an international medical graduate (IMG) in an approved Specialist-in-training position which only requires EICS verification for Medical Board of Australia registration purposes. Accomplish this form: http://www.amc.org.au/images/forms/Application-Form-Specialist-in-Training.pdf o Leave the part asking for credit card details blank in this form if you have already paid online when you got your Candidate Number. JONI: this is a verbatim tip from Liz Intong, our fellow PGH Derm grad: In this form, you write UPCM for primary medical qualification, and PDS as the awarding institution for the highest/specialist qualification (as it is the body that granted your diplomate status), and not UPPGH. I know it's confusing, as we have similar training to the US where they have a separate training institution, and their FAAD status is awarded by the AAD. In Australia, the ACD trains

them and grants their FACD status.

STRICTLY follow the AMCs rules on document certification as outlined here: http://www.amc.org.au/index.php/img/res/cert . At this point I suggest that you find a notary public whose office is accessible, as this notary public will have to be the one to certify/witness ALL your documents, statutory declarations/affidavits relating to the AMC.

AMC REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFYING DOCUMENTATION Each page of the documentary evidence lodged must be certified by the same person witnessing the Declaration on the application form. This person must meet the requirements specified for Statutory Declarations/Affidavit witnessed in Australia and overseas (see website). The certification on each page MUST read: I certify this document to be a true copy of the original sighted by me ........................................................................................... Signature of witness ........................................................................................... Please print title and number of witness (if applicable) ........................................................................................... Date (dd/mm/yyyy) If the certification does not read with the exact wording shown above (i.e., I certify this document to be a true copy of the original sighted by me), the documentation will not be accepted by the AMC.

The following is not in the website but I have been asked this. It will save you time and money so just submit this documentary evidence of name variation with your application, even if you have never been married/changed names:

Sample reminder from AMC Credentialing: DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF NAME VARIATION The AMC requires: You are required to submit a Statutory Declaration to the AMC stating all variations of your given and family name(s) and that (if it is true), you are known by all of these variations to your name(s). The variations of your name are: Mae N. Ramirez Mae Ramirez Mae Nilooban Ramirez

You must also state in your Statutory Declaration, the given and surname(s) you would prefer to use on your AMC records. Candidates need to ensure that in the first section, the name and address and occupation are included. Please ensure the document is witnessed by (Name of your notary public), Notary Public. Statutory Declaration: http://www.amc.org.au/images/forms/stat-deccon.pdf

You will receive an email from AMC Credentialing once AMC receives your application and required documents. It then takes about 6-8 weeks for your papers to be assessed/checked. (see text box below)

From AMC website: http://www.amc.org.au/index.php/img/faqs/apply#psv Q. What will happen once the AMC has assessed my application? A: Once your application has been assessed, the AMC will electronically send your primary medical qualification to the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) in the United States for EICS verification. At that time the appropriate state or territory medical board will be notified of this request and you will be sent a letter and receipt of payment through the post. The AMC will act on your behalf and update the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) & the Western Australian Medical Board on the status of your EICS request changes. When the ECFMG confirms the EICS verification, the AMC will notify the applicant and the medical board in writing. From AMC handbook: The AMC submits EICS verification request within three working days of receiving complete applications. Assignment of EICS numbers by ECFMG may take approximately 10-14 days. Verification is sent to universities/medical schools this is usually where delays are encountered. Contact with your medical school may be required to arrange administrative payments before they finalise the EICS verification.

A A A

You may want to coordinate with your university registrar regularly so that once the forms are in their possession you can pay for courier services yourself or request them to send back the documents to ECFMG in the US ASAP to speed up the process, as what Ayees did. Send your completed application form(s), certified documents and payment to: - For courier (my choice), registered or insured mail: Australian Medical Council, Level 3, 11 Lancaster Place, Majura Park ACT 2609 - For standard national mail: Australian Medical Council, PO Box 4810, Kingston ACT 2604 - For international mail: Australian Medical Council, PO Box 4810, Kingston ACT 2604

5.

Apply to the AHPRA (www.aphra.gov.au).

Accomplish Form ALPS-03 (Application for limited registration postgraduate training or supervised practice as a medical practitioner). See attached .pdf file. Refer to http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process/Proof-of-Identity.aspx for submission of adequate identification documents to fulfill AHPRA Proof of Identity Requirements for overseas applicants. Refer to http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process/Certifying-Documents.aspx re: Certification of Documents as required by AHPRA, which may differ in some aspects to AMC specifications:

Certified documents must: Be initialed on every page by the Authorised Officer.

Annotated on the last page as appropriate e.g., I have sighted the original document and certify this to be a true copy of the original and signed by the Authorised Officer. List the name, date of certification, and contact phone number and position number (if

You need the AMC Candidate Number as well as EICS verification number from the AMC. It is possible to provide the AMC Candidate Number without the EICS number initially and just send the EICS number at a later time. However, a case officer from AHPRA will likely email you upon receipt of your application and supporting documents that you lack an EICS number. AHPRA cannot provide you the in-principle letter you need for your e457 visa without the EICS number from AMC. You will need to request for a Certificate of Good Standing/Certificate of Registration Status from every jurisdiction you have been registered in the last 10 years which should be sent DIRECTLY from the registering body to AHPRA. o For PRC Manila:

request a Certificate of Good Standing (PhP 150 per copy if I remember correctly) which will be available in 5-7 working days. I suggest that you claim the Certificate yourself, buy a PRC envelope under the stairs at the PRC office, go to Information and ask to be referred to the Chief of Registering Division (current chief is Perla Sayana), and she or her assistant will insert the Certificate into the envelope with the AHPRA address and PRC return address. They may or may not seal the envelope, and you will have to take it to the DHL kiosk near the exit gate. Prepare about PhP 1,300 as courier fee.. I sent my documents to AHPRAs P.O. Box so I had to provide DHL with AHPRAs contact number (DHL does not usually deliver to a P.O. Box): Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) +61 3 8708 9001 Postal Address (I used this) o G.P.O. Box 9958 Sydney, NSW 2001 Office Location o Level 51, 680 George Street o Sydney, NSW 2000

For Filipino derms: Im not sure if a Certificate of Good Standing is also needed from the PDS but I provided one just to be sure; I requested for 2 copies a Certificate of Good Standing that also confirms that I have finished a 3-year residency program and have been granted diplomate status --- this certification is also needed by the AMC anyway. I asked Maam Liza to send 1 copy directly to AHPRA via Fedex and I claimed the other copy and sent it along with my AMC application.

Follow AHPRAs Standard format for curriculum vitae: http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registration-Process/Standard-Format-for-CurriculumVitae.aspx . Send the original signed CV, of course Question 59 asks for an accomplished Supervised Practice Plan and Principal Supervisors Agreement, which will need both your and Profs signatures. See attached .pdf file for the form. You may ask Prof/Glendi for your position description if you plan to lodge the AHPRA application yourself. Your limited registration is finalized upon personal appearance at the AHPRA office in Sydney, hence the need for the in-principle letter from AHPRA as evidence submitted to DIAC for your e457 visa application while you are still outside Australian soil.

5a. Apply for the Australasian College of Dermatologists (the specialist college)

Remember that the application form for the Specialist College, Form AAMC-03 (see attached .pdf file), is sent along with the AHPRA application. Documents and payments are required over and above those for AHPRA (Please see attachment for sample letters): o Letter from your association/society/college confirming that you are either a specialist dermatologist or are no more than two years from completing specialist training in your home country.

For PDS diplomates, you may provide the Diplomate Certificate plus a Certificate of Good Standing as described above under #5

o
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Letter from your training institution/authority back home confirming that the 1-year training/experience you are about to undertake in Australia under Prof. Murrell is not available in your home country. State in a letter your intention to return to your home country after the training As of 21 Sept 2011, the application fees are as follows: Application for limited registration (AHPRA) $670.00 Application for assessment by a medical college (Australasian College of Dermatologists) $ 516.60 + GST

Fill in your credit card details, and send the completed forms and supporting documents (beware of documents needed by BOTH AHPRA and the Specialist College --- provide copies for each if required) to Prof for her signature: o PROF. DEDEE F. MURRELL Department of Dermatology Level 0, James Laws House St George Hospital Gray Street Kogarah, NSW 2217 AUSTRALIA Phone: +61 02 9113 2543; Fax: +61 02 9113 2906

6.

Note: I have attached a .pdf file of my own AHPRA and Specialist College application forms. It wasnt completely filled out yet when I scanned it so remember to put in your credit card details and the AMC reference number+EICS number, and attach the Position Description and Supervised Practice Plan. Apply for the Subclass 457 Business (Long Stay) visa online (the fastest and most convenient way) --called e457 visa http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/employer-sponsored.htm . You need at least one of the following from Glendi to commence online application: a. Nomination Saved Application ID (consisting of 11 characters), OR b. Nomination Application Transaction Reference Number (TRN) (10 characters), OR c. Nomination Approval ID

Requirements for e-visa are pretty much the same as with the paper application (Form 1066) so you can refer to the attached .pdf file of this form to prepare the documents needed. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) requirements for certification are less stringent compared to AMC or AHPRA o A lot of people get confused whether scanned Originals or Certified true copies should be sent; I uploaded scanned certified copies (except for police clearance) and didnt have a problem. o You will be asked for certified copies of the pages of your passport which show your name, date of birth, passport number, issue and expiry date, photograph, and signature (Note that the signature line on the Philippine passport is on the inside back cover, not on the bio-data page) Also attached is my own record of responses when I lodged my online application for your reference For Filipino applicants: We do not have a National Identity Card, so I just labeled it N/A You will need to attach a CV which should include a detailed work history, explaining gaps, enumerating specialist skills/procedures (whether competent/observed), etc. There is no required CV format. You need professional indemnity insurance. You may get your health insurance at www.austhealth.com (the lowest plan will suffice) or from your preferred insurance company in Australia or in your home country. Health check is done at centers accredited by DIAC http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/healthrequirements/ . These centers will electronically send DIAC your results if you applied online; by courier if you applied via paper. o Joni: the nearest for you is probably the one in Maria Orosa St., near the Faura side of Robinsons Place. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the system there because I had my health check in Baguio --- no lines!!! I finished within an hour Undergo police checks early in the application, as these may take time.

Joni: NBI takes about a month so do this ahead of time. Lets hope youre the only Johanna Pauline Lazo-Dizon in the country! Just to be sure, I got 2 police clearances: one from NBI, the other from barangay police. You will be required to submit a scanned copy of the original

DIAC employs paperless visa; your passport does not necessarily bear a visa label or sticker. Instead your visa is linked to your passport number. Ive read of Vevo, but have not ventured into it since I am still waiting for my e457.

IMPORTANT CONTACT DETAILS:

3.

Australian Medical Council Limited (AMC) Email: [email protected] Phone: +61 2 6270 7878 (hotline for IMG inquiries) Fax: +61 2 6270 9799 Website: www.amc.org.au Postal address:

4.

For courier, registered or insured mail: Australian Medical Council, Level 3, 11 Lancaster Place, Majura Park ACT 2609 For standard national mail: Australian Medical Council, PO Box 4810, Kingston ACT 2604 For international mail: Australian Medical Council, PO Box 4810, Kingston ACT 2604 Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) +61 3 8708 9001 (customer service hotline for calls coming from outside Australia) Postal Address o G.P.O. Box 9958 Sydney, NSW 2001 Office Location o Level 51, 680 George Street Sydney, NSW 2000 AUSTRALIA

I hope this helps you heaps! Thanks to Ayees for the first version of this guide that she authored! Mae