Unpaid overtime

Throughout 2018, Doctors in Training (DiTs) advised the AMA (WA) that they had been told not to claim unrostered overtime. The AMA (WA) has been disappointed to hear that some of the 2019 Intern cohort were advised even prior to starting their rotations not to claim unrostered overtime. This practice not only breaches employers’ negotiated legal obligations under the WA Health System – Medical Practitioners – AMA Industrial Agreement 2016, it also raises questions over how the WA Health System Employers can ensure a safe working environment where OSH standards are met, as doctors are working undocumented hours.

While authorisation of unrostered overtime is required, authorisation shall not be unreasonably refused. In the WA Health System, where authorisation is refused, the reasons for refusal shall be provided to the practitioner in writing if requested. 

The AMA (WA) encourages members who have been advised not to claim unrostered overtime, to contact the AMA (WA) and confidentially identify the hospitals that are failing to ensure DiTs receive payment for unrostered overtime, or actively discouraging claims for overtime worked.

Have you recently left the WA Health System?

If you have recently finished working with a WA Health System Employer and you are not taking up employment with another WA Health System Health Service Provider* (“WA Health”), then you are legally entitled to receive monies due on the payday following your last day of employment. Anything beyond this is a breach of your former employer’s legal obligations under the Agreement and the AMA (WA) will support you and can commence legal prosecution of your former Employer on your behalf, if the AMA (WA) is unsuccessful in having the issue rectified.

To continue reading, please visit the AMA (WA) website. 

Access to Annual Leave

Accessing Annual Leave continues to be a perennial issue, particularly for Doctors in Training.  The AMA (WA) would like to remind members that, hospitals and health services cannot restrict practitioners’ ability to request annual leave at any time throughout the year, irrespective of internal hospital processes or timeframes implemented to manage access to leave.  If you make a request for accrued annual leave in writing, then WA Health System employers shall confirm in writing when a practitioner’s annual leave entitlement may be taken within two weeks of receipt of the written application for leave.

Please contact the AMA (WA) if you have either: had an application for annual leave rejected due to your request falling outside of hospital imposed timeframes, or you have applied for annual leave in writing and not received written notice when your entitlement may be taken.

Dr Omar Khorshid discusses vaccine hesitancy with 6PR

The World Health Organisation has recently listed vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 threats to global health in 2019. The reluctance or refusal to vaccinate threatens to reverse progress made in tackling vaccine-preventable diseases. AMA (WA) President, Dr Omar Khorshid, joined Oliver Peterson on 6PR to discuss this.

Listen to the radio segment online now.

Interns, you're invited to the 2019 AMA (WA) Intern Sundowner!

The AMA (WA) invites medical interns to the annual Intern Sundowner – the perfect opportunity to catch up with colleagues while enjoying drinks, canapés and entertainment.

Invitations will be sent out in the next few days. If you do not receive your invitation by the end of next week, please contact Skye Connor via email​ or phone 08 9273 3028.

Date: Tuesday 26 February
Time: 6.00pm - 8.30pm 
Venue: Acqua Viva on the Swan
RSVP: Please RSVP by Tuesday 19 February

Please note, the sundowner is an invite only event for medical interns.  

New doctorportal module: Privacy Compliance for Medical Practices

Ensuring compliance with privacy law is not just a matter of respecting patient confidentiality. Legal requirements include mandatory data breach notification, compliance with privacy legislation and penalties for breaches of the Australian Privacy Act 1988, which can include not having a proactive compliance program or the appropriate policies and procedures.

Learn about the above and more via the new Privacy Compliance for Medical Practices module. Visit doctorportal online to find out more.

AMA (WA) are seeking a Practice Support Consultant - Apply now!

In this newly created role, the Practice Support Consultant will be working predominantly within the AMA Recruit division of AMA Services, coordinating and executing temporary and permanent Practice staff recruitment functions for an existing member and client base. This is a part-time position of between 25 to 30 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Initially, we will be offering a 6-month contract, with the opportunity for extension and permanency.

For further information or to apply, please visit the job advertisement on Seek. 

Alternatively, for more information on this or other upcoming work opportunities, please contact Dave Bell at AMA Recruit on 9273 3096 or dave.bell@amawa.com.au. 

General Practitioner Job | Yanchep

AMA Recruit is currently seeking a General Practitioner to join an established practice in Yanchep (DWS location). 

• You’ll take over a patient list in an established, well-organised practice with friendly staff and great patients
• Longest established practice in the area (over 30 years)
• 50 minute drive to Perth CBD

For further information or to apply, please visit the AMA Recruit website.

Alternatively, for more information on this or other upcoming work opportunities, please contact Dave Bell at AMA Recruit on 9273 3096 or dave.bell@amawa.com.au.

Are you a FRACGP qualified GP looking for a change of scenery?

The NHS are seeking Australian GP’s to live and work in England!

AMA Recruit, owned and operated by the AMA (WA), are the Australian representative for the NHS recruitment campaign for Australian GPs.

If you are seeking the chance to gain international vocational experience, then this is a tremendous opportunity to work overseas and use England as the base to explore the world. This also presents a great option for GP returners; those GPs who trained as MRCGP, and have been away from the UK for more than two years.

For further information on the opportunity, please contact Dave Bell at AMA Recruit on 9273 3096 or dave.bell@amawa.com.au.

Immunisation Education Update Day - Perth Children's Hospital

Friday 8 February | 8.30 am - 4.00 pm 

The Immunisation Education Update is suitable for ANY healthcare provider or those involved in immunisation research. Brush up on all things immunisation- from the basics to beyond. Includes two interstate guest speakers, case-based scenarios and a practical vaccine administration workshop.

This update will be presented by expert speakers from interstate and will cover sought after topics such as vaccine hesitancy, No Jab No Play and the latest research.

The practical session at the end of the update offers an opportunity to refine hands on skills and is run by highly experienced immunisation nurses.

Register online now.

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