The Rural Practice Management Scholarship aims to support staff employed in rural general practices to gain a nationally recognised qualification in order to enhance the delivery of health services across rural Western Australia.
The scholarship is supported by Rural Health West and the Australian Medical Association (WA).
The scholarships will enable rural practice staff to undertake a HLT57715 Diploma in Practice Management via the Australian Medical Association’s Assisted Study Program at a significantly subsidised price of $1400 per scholar (usual cost $6400).
Two scholarships for rural Western Australia will be available per financial year for three years, with the first two scholarships commencing in July 2019.
Applications for 2019 are now closed. All applicants will receive advice on the outcome of their applications by 1 July 2019.
Applicants must be employed within a health practice located in rural Western Australia. Rural is defined as any location within a MM 2-7 area. You can check whether your location is an eligible area at the Doctor Connect website. Applicants do not need to be employed as a practice manager, however the Diploma is most relevant to people working, or seeking to work, in a supervisory or management role within a health practice.
As this scholarship aims to support rural health practices, scholarship recipients are expected to remain working in a rural location for two years following the commencement of their study. Applicants who demonstrate a strong commitment or links to rural communities will be considered favourably.
Successful applicants will ideally be available to commence their studies (via flexible learning) at 22 July 2019 rolling intake of the HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management. Alternative commencement dates can be discussed.
The HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management is suited for people working in, or seeking to progress their career in the administration and management of a health practice. Students will develop skills in providing leadership and guidance, in taking responsibility for effective functioning, viability and performance of the team and its workplace outcomes.
The course is conducted via the Assisted Study Program, which provides a mix of interactive, live online classes, seminars and assisted self-directed learning.
The course typically takes 15-18 months to complete.
You can access more detailed information about the Diploma here.
All applications received by the closing date will be assessed by a panel comprising a representative of Rural Health West, Australian Medical Association and an existing practice manager.
All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications within three weeks of the closing date for applications.
- All applicants are requested to review the current HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management information regarding the required units of study, costs and anticipated time commitments.
- Submission of a scholarship application will indicate to Rural Health West and Australian Medical Association that the applicant is confident they can meet the study requirements and time commitments of the course.
- Only one scholarship application can be made per applicant.
- Rural Health West will provide a scholarship to the value of $2500 per successful recipient. Rural Health West will make payments directly to AMA Training in line with the delivery of the course.
- Australian Medical Association will provide in-kind sponsorship to the value of $2500 per successful recipient.
- The successful recipients will be required to contribute $1400 towards the cost of their Diploma over the duration of their study. This can be made in five three-monthly instalments of $280 each.
- No correspondence will be entered into in relation to the decisions of the selection panel.
- Scholarship benefits can only be claimed by the successful applicants.
- The names, locations and photos of successful scholarship recipients will be used by Rural Health West and Australian Medical Association to promote the program via mainstream media, social media and each organisation’s respective publications.
- Successful scholarship recipients must enrol in the nominated qualification and pay the required enrolment fee no later than 22 July 2019.
- Recognition of Prior Learning is available. Applications for RPL assessment must be made to Australian Medical Association.
- Rural Health West may seek to recover relevant monies paid if the recipient does not complete the return of service period.