VIC Chair's Report

Welcome to 2018 – I hope the Christmas and New Year period allowed you time to take a break and you have started this year feeling refreshed and relaxed.

2018 will be a busy year. The Victorian State election is scheduled for November and this provides Victorian Fellows with a unique opportunity to advocate for the key issues and actions we believe are necessary to ensure safe, effective and accessible surgical care in Victoria.

Regional Committee elections will take place in the coming months and I encourage every Fellow to consider nominating, regardless of whether you have you just achieved your fellowship or are more established in your career. The more diverse the Regional Committee is the better able we are to represent and advocate for Victorian Fellows.

Work continues on the Building Respect program across the College – I remind everyone that has not yet completed the online module that it is a mandatory CPD requirement for 2017 and you should make it a priority to finalise as soon as possible.

Most of all I’d like to ask all of you to make a commitment to engage with the College more in 2018 – this might mean coming to more events, having your say on key issues or joining a committee. Whatever it is you choose to do it will make your relationship with the College more rewarding and ensure the College is better able to reflect what is important to you.

RACS West Wing Re-build Workshop

Invitation to attend

Monday, 19 February 2018 | 6pm - 8pm
RACS, 250-290 Spring Street, East Melbourne.  

This workshop is seeking input from a broad range of Fellows and Trainees on the redevelopment of the west wing part of the RACS building and to ensure that any works reflect the values, needs and vision of the RACS community now, and into the future.

Please feel free to invite colleagues from any public or private appointments that you have.
  
Your input will be invaluable in ensuring that we have a modern educational and working environment that will best cater to the needs of Fellows, Trainees, International Medical Graduates and RACS employees.
 
We look forward to your attendance and input at the workshop.

Please confirm your participation by Wednesday, 14 February 2018 to:
college.vic@surgeons.org
or Katherine Walsh, Victorian Regional Manager on 03 9249 1254.

Operating with Respect

Surgical theatre caps

Clinical Director, Clinical Trials Network ANZ 

Expressions of Interest

Applications close: | Wednesday 28 February 2018

RACS now invites applications from suitably qualified Fellows for the position of Clinical Director, Clinical Trials Network Australia & New Zealand.

The role is remunerated for 7 hours per week (0.2 FTE). Applicants must include a current curriculum vitae and cover letter addressing the essential criteria.

View the full position information and further details.

For more information please contact:
Professor John Windsor at ctanz@surgeons.org or
Dr Tamsin Garrod at Tamsin.garrod@surgeons.org

For further enquiries: phone RACS +61 8 8219 0900.

APPLY NOW via eRecruit 

The Younger Fellows Forum - 2018

All Younger Fellows are invited to nominate for the 2018 Younger Fellows Forum (YFF) in NSW from Friday 4 May - Sunday 6 May 2018.  

The Younger Fellows Forum is held annually prior to the Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

The Forum is a professional retreat of RACS Younger Fellows (a Younger Fellow is a surgeon who has obtained their fellowship within the last 10 years).

The forum offers a unique opportunity for a group of Fellows to share ideas and experiences and debate issues that affect their professional and personal lives.

 
For more information, please refer to 2018 Younger Fellows Forum

Developing a Surgical Career

Resources for Junior Doctors Interested in a Surgical Career

Registrations now open!

 Saturday 30 June | Saturday 6 October 

This is a rewarding one day professional development workshop designed to provide information and knowledge to assist Junior Doctors interested in a Surgical Career. 

REGISTER NOW via the online enrolment form. 

Access to Counselling Services

Medical Graduates and members of their immediate family or household can access the RACS Support Program (RACSSP)?

The program is provided by Converge International, a leading Employee Assistance Program provider, where members can access confidential support via counselling, coaching and advice on workplace, emotional and personal issues.

When you contact the RACSSP you always speak with a qualified mental health professional. Consultants are registered psychologists and counsellors, and have extensive experience in their specialty areas with a deep knowledge of, and experience in providing care to people who work in the healthcare sector.

Converge has also recently launched its EAP Connect app – download this today on your smartphone.  

More information is on the RACS website.
 

Member Benefits Program

Fellows and Trainees of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons can access exclusive discounts on a range of quality lifestyle products and financial services through the RACS Member Advantage Benefits Program.

For further information on the benefits and services available: Call Member Advantage on 1300 853 352 or visit the College website.

Save 12% on any Adrenaline experience or voucher

As a RACS member, access Adrenaline’s awesome and unique experiences. The range includes over 2,500 of the best adventures in Australia, New Zealand and now also across the USA.

Choose between Water, Driving, Flying, or Land experiences or opt for the gift vouchers if you are unsure of a gift for a loved one.