Why should I become an FGP Advisor?

• Inspire and influence JMOs to pick general practice as their specialty.
• Guide and direct JMOs who have chosen general practice as they make key GP training and career decisions.
• Develop your leadership and mentoring skills.
• Enhance your profile and make key contacts within the GP training sector.

What are the responsibilities of an FGP Advisor?

• Liaise and support FGP Ambassadors within their local hospital region.
• Give honest and useful advice about general practice and GP training (including prerequisites, application and selection processes, training pathway and program options, and future career opportunities) to JMOs.
• Respond to specific enquiries from JMOs about GP training.
• Work closely with GPRA, RTOs, medical colleges (ACRRM & RACGP) and your local FGP Ambassadors to identify, develop and deliver promotional opportunities.
• Attend local events, and where possible, present and act as a spokesperson for the FGP network and general practice.
• Provide content for GPRA communications channels.
• Develop relationships with RTO staff, and hospital staff responsible for JMOs, and investigate opportunities to participate in events or education sessions.
• Take part in planning meetings with GPRA to review and provide feedback on events and activities, and assist with future planning activities.
• Provide regular reports to GPRA on activities and enquiries received.

FGP Advisors are supported by a financial stipend. The role requires up to 10 hours of work each month. It is important to note that this will change from month to month depending on term dates (months closer to key AGPT application dates may require 15–20 hours while others will require minimal hours).

What are the responsibilities of an FGP Ambassador?

An FGP Ambassador is the on-the-ground advocate for general practice within a hospital. It is their role to promote general practice as a specialty of choice to JMOs by:

• Help establish and promote the FGP Network to peers within your hospital
  through word of mouth and the distribution of marketing materials.
• Encourage JMOs interested in general practice to join the FGP Network.
• Provide resources to peers about general practice and GP training and connect them to the FGP Advisor should they have specific questions or need advice.
• Assist GPRA and FGP Advisor to develop events that promote general practice in your hospital. GPRA will do all the event planning and organisation — we just need your help with ideas about what works best in your hospital!
• Attend FGP Network events in your area.
• Be visible and approachable as your hospital’s GP Ambassador.
• Assist with providing feedback and information on events and FGP activities in your hospital.

Why should I become an FGP Ambassador?

• Be involved in leadership and advocacy during your hospital training.
• It is an extracurricular activity that looks great on your CV and can lead to future leadership and advocacy roles within the GP sector.
• Get to know more about general practice and GP training while supporting your peers by helping them choose their specialty.
• You will be supported in your own journey towards general practice through the support of your GP Advisor and GPRA.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is this a voluntary role? Yes, the role of the GP Ambassador is a voluntary one.

What is the time commitment or expectation? There is no set amount of hours that you are expected to volunteer each week or month. Your FGP Advisor will talk to you about the activities and events that they would like to complete in the hospital in which you are based and how you could assist. There are two basic types of events run within the network, promotional events (to talk about the benefits of being a GP) and networking events (to help connect those interested in being a GP). As an FGP Ambassador, it is expected that you to attend these events, where possible, as well as provide some assistance with planning, promoting and delivering these activities. However, your FGP Advisor will do the bulk of the preparation and planning.

What previous experience is necessary? No previous experience is necessary to become an FGP Ambassador. However, we are looking for people with a passion and a commitment to general practice. This role is well-suited to GP Registrars undertaking their Hospital Training Time (HTT) or Core Clinical Training (CCT) time, as well as JMOs with a demonstrated interest in general practice.

Who will support me in my role? The FGP Ambassador will be fully supported by their FGP Advisor and the GPRA Coordinator who will carry out all relevant administration, planning and organisational duties. This allows the FGP Ambassador to focus on networking with their peers and promoting the network and general practice.

If I’m an FGP Ambassador, does this mean I have to apply for the GP training program? GPRA understands that for many JMOs, the decision on a specialty choice is subject to change. We ask that if you no longer want to pursue a career in general practice, you discuss this with your FGP Advisor or GPRA Coordinator as soon as possible and assist in finding a replacement.