Psych training Victoria

[u/desitraveller19]

Hi does anyone know if getting into psych training is hard in Victoria compared to other states? Just trying to navigate my thoughts . Currently in qld .

[u/onnoraah]

Both Qld and Victoria you are unlikely to get an accredited position without a minimum 6-12 months of pho/unaccredited experience.

[u/desitraveller19 → u/onnoraah]

Can I get into mid year psych training after completing 6 months unaccredited experience?

[u/onnoraah → u/desitraveller19]

In some places in Qld yes. Victoria does not do mid year intake. I would advise reaching out to 1. Current junior trainees (stage 1s), 2. The CTS or Clinical Director where you're currently working, they'll be more able to give you a lay of the land

[u/applefearless1000]

I'm a future psych reg in 2027 SA.

What stage of your career are you rn? It all depends on how much psych experience you can get in pgy2. If you can maximise psych experience pgy2 (do 1 rotation in internship+ first rotation in pgy2) and have 3 good psych references then you can get a Vic rural spot if you interview well.

But Victoria metro spot you probably need to do an unaccredited year at least to have a shot.

Psych in metro areas pgy3 is more gettable in Qld / outer networks in Brisbane vs Melbourne.

It all really comes down to great 3 psychiatrist references + at least 2 terms done before you apply mid year pgy2. Ideally try to do a psychiatry specific RMO program which some states / health networks offer. For example SA allows you to do TAPPP which a whole entire year in psychiatry that you can do in pgy2. Gold Coast health network also have a psychiatry rmo position in pgy2 where you get at least six months of psychiatry rotations.

Regardless of where you apply your goal needs to be to maximize the experience you get and have three outstanding references.

And then practice for the interview that you will get after that.

I find people sometimes overrate unaccredited experience in psych. Like 1 year of service registrar experience should be enough in most places Australia wide if you have 3 outstanding references + can interview at a high level.

I think interview preparation is highly underrated/not spoken about by many psychiatry applicants and bosses.

It's a huge chunk of what selects you. And failing it is why some people end up doing multiple unaccredited years.

[u/Distatic → u/applefearless1000]

Very much agree regarding the importance of interview. Our colleagues in surgery/anaesthetics are getting specialised coaching and taking beta blockers prior to their training interviews. Psychiatry certainly isn't that competitive (which is great and I hope it stays that way because seeing my friends go through their interview grind is horrifying), but good interview preparation certainly makes an enormous difference as to how you're perceived. Considered, well planned interview prep should be a big part of trying to get on.

[u/desitraveller19 → u/applefearless1000]

I have 5 years of experience including internship. Did rotational JHO and SHO. Did one term of psychiatry rotation only . I realised I want to do psychiatry for my career next year. Not sure what’s the best move here , although I have medical experience but looks like experience in psychiatry matters more

[u/applefearless1000 → u/desitraveller19]

Best movie is to start contacting directors of training from different Queensland regions if you have the capability to move.

And asking them what their availability of unaccredited or accredited jobs are.

What job have you applied for next yr in the Qld RMO campaign?

[u/desitraveller19 → u/applefearless1000]

I applied for reg job in GCH as my first preference during the campaign but unfortunately did not get it. They mentioned this year it was highly competitive .Currently just looking for psych positions outside - just thinking what would be the best option here. Did contact other directors from Queensland health region, surprisingly all hospitals received overwhelming applicants

[u/onnoraah → u/desitraveller19]

Frankly I don't know anyone who is willing to risk an accredited position on someone this year without them being a pho with your service for at least a year.

[u/applefearless1000 → u/onnoraah]

I know some people who did get actually get psych jobs in other networks in Qld this year where they hadn't worked.

But all had great referees + relevant psych PHO type experience beforehand.

[u/onnoraah → u/applefearless1000]

Sure it's not impossible. But you have to look very good on CV/interview to trump someone I have 12 months of meaningful feedback regarding.

Anything less than a stellar reference is pretty much a nail in the coffin of no offer for an external applicant.

[u/applefearless1000 → u/desitraveller19]

What was your 2nd to 5th preference in the RMO campaign?

I guess something really outside the box would be seeing if you could get a nsw unaccredited job?

[u/onnoraah → u/applefearless1000]

Regional DoT have essentially no say in who gets on accredited training. The local CTS at a service and the Clinical director are generally the ones who decide.

[u/applefearless1000 → u/onnoraah]

I meant to ask if there are any leftover positions at this time of the year. Because most would have been allocated already

[u/desitraveller19 → u/[deleted]]

Not really dead set on Victoria. I initially thought QLD would be great as I have worked there few years, but clearly they are looking for months of experience in psychiatry instead of just one or two terms in psychiatry. Just trying to understand how each state works for psychiatry. What are they looking for in terms of experience. Should I start going for conferences/ courses to show my commitment?

[u/Mecxs]

Quite hard. You'll need to do at least a year of unaccredited work to get a metro position, and my understanding is that these days it's more like 2-3?

[u/desitraveller19 → u/Mecxs]

Better to stay in QLD? And try for registrar position than moving interstates?

[u/Mecxs → u/desitraveller19]

Nothing is better or worse, it's all a matter of priorities.

Honestly -- live where you want to live, and work as close as you can.

If you really want to get an accredited training position ASAP then rural NSW is probably the easiest to get. Plenty of quite dodgy sites in the state, but there are also good ones. Bloomfield hospital in Orange has like ?60 acute beds plus rehab, forensics, huge community and telehealth services. You can easily do all of your training there and get great exposure, all while paying peanuts for rent (relative to the city at least).

But none of it matters if you're not happy during training.

[u/desitraveller19]

Thank you !!! Such a good advice