About the GPs in Schools Pilot:

Spinifex State College is seeking a GP who is interested in
establishing and operating a school-based clinic one day per week at a Queensland state school, as part of the GPs in Schools Pilot.

The GPs in Schools Pilot is part of the Queensland Government’s $100 million Student Wellbeing Package.

The Pilot:

• supports the establishment of fit-for-purpose school-based GP clinics at 50 selected Queensland state schools; and

• provides secondary students (i.e. students in Years 7 to 12 and generally 12-18 years of age) free access to a GP for timely and appropriate primary healthcare.

GPs working in a school as part of the Pilot will:

• provide a service to secondary students one day per week during school terms;

• have a strong interest in adolescent and mental health; and

• be required to bulk-bill student appointments through

Medicare – students and their families will not bear any consultation costs for students accessing the GP service.

Role of the school GP:

• The school-based GP clinic should be able to provide students with the majority of services that would be provided by a GP in the community, including management of physical health, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health issues.

• When required, students may be referred by the school GP to other health services. As such, GPs working in Pilot schools should have established referral pathways with a range of health and mental health services in the local community.

• Given that many students who access the GP service at Pilot schools will face barriers to accessing healthcare outside of the school setting, with student consent, GPs may be required to work with other school staff and the students’ family to support their referral to, and engagement with external services.

• Preferably, the school GP will employ a clinic nurse to work with them to manage students’ medical records and perform other key functions, enabling the efficient provision of a high-quality service to students.

Qualifications and Experience:

• This opportunity would suit a self-reliant GP who is very interested in adolescent and mental health.

• Accredited by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA); and

• hold a fellowship with either the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) or the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).

Time and Location:

Spinifex State College school-based GP clinic will operate one day per week during school terms in a fit-for-purpose GP clinic on school grounds.

Remuneration and Support:

The Department of Education will provide financial support to the successful GP (funding for the Pilot will end on the 30 June 2024), including, $1,000 per day to:

• cover the costs of a clinic nurse to work in the school with the GP one day per week to assist with the operation of the school-based clinic; and

• support the running of the clinic by the GP.

Contribute to travel expenses for GPs who live outside of the community where they are delivering a school-based service.

The school will support the GP to deliver the service by appointing a Program Lead within the school, whose functions with regard to the clinic are to:

• provide onboarding to the school context;

• facilitate the relationship between the school and the school GP; and

• promote the GP service within the wider school community.

GP Support:

All GPs working in a school as part of the Pilot will be required to participate in an onboarding session facilitated by the Department of Education that is aimed at orientating GPs participating in the Pilot to working in a school context.

The Department of Education will also work with RACGP to establish a community of practice with the 50 GPs working in schools as part of the Pilot. This community of practice will provide a point of support and professional knowledge sharing for GPs.

Clinic Resources:

Where possible, GPs will be required to employ a clinic nurse to work with them at the pilot school. The nurse will manage students’ medical records and perform other key functions, allowing the school-based clinic to run efficiently and deliver a high-quality service to students.

The GP or their base clinic will be responsible for:

• fitting out the school clinic with necessary equipment;

• ongoing supply of consumables;

• providing reliable remote management and billing (including technical support); and

• infection control.

How to apply:

If you are interested in participating in the GPs in School Pilot, please send your expression of interest to the Student Wellbeing Team at GPsinSchools@qed.qld.gov.au and a member of our team will be in contact.

Please contact the Student Wellbeing Team if you have any questions or would like further information about the Pilot.

EOIs close 24 August 2022.