Trainee Medical Officer FAQ's

Commonly asked questions

Technical and site problems

Registration and logging in

Application dates and processes

Updating my details

Referees

Training program preferences

 

Commonly asked questions

I am a Resident Medical Officer (RMO), is this the same as a Trainee Medical Officer (TMO)?

Yes there are many terms to refer to this cohort. In Victoria a RMO is referred to as an HMO.

Is SA MET still accepting applications for TMO positions in 2013?

No, SA MET only accepts applications for positions commencing in February each year. Any employment outside of this period will need to occur through other means or directly through the hospitals.

How do I apply for a TMO position starting in 2014?

An online application form will be available on the SA MET website in June 2013.

I am a medical graduate from overseas and am looking for an internship or equivalent supervised training, can I apply for an TMO position through SA MET?

International Medical Graduates may only apply through SA MET's process if they will have general registration with the Medical Board of Australia by the February start date. If you are not eligible to apply via SA MET's process, you can register for employment via the SA Health Careers website.

What is the salary of a RMO in South Australia?

Refer to SA Industrial Relations - search under South Australian Medical Officers Award

Where can I find an example of a CV?

See Resources

What training health networks are in South Australia and where are they located?

Central Adelaide Local Health Network

Northern Adelaide Local Health Network

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network

  • Flinders Medical Centre - Flinders Drive, BEDFORD PARK SA 5042 – 12.4km south of Adelaide CBD

  • Noarlunga Health Service - Alexander Kelly Drive, NOARLUNGA CENTRE, SA 5168 – 31.4km south of Adelaide CBD
  • Repatriation General Hospital - 216 Daws Rd, DAW PARK SA 5041 – 8.7km south of Adelaide CBD

Country Health SA Local Health Network

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Technical and site problems

What are the technical requirements to use this application system?

In order to use the TMO application system you need:

  • An Internet connection
  • A valid and unique email address. This is used as your user identification and to communicate with you.

Can I access this application form on my mobile phone?

This site has been designed for use on standard desktop computers, laptops and on mobile devices such as smartphones (eg iPhone, BlackBerry) and tablets (eg iPad). You may find however that some functions of the application process will not work on mobile devices such as the uploading of supporting documentation. This step will need to be completed using a standard desktop, laptop or notebook computer.

Why can’t I access the program or some of its functions?

If you are having trouble accessing this program you should ensure that you:

  • Use a standard desktop, notebook or laptop computer. Some features of the site may not function correctly or completely from smartphones (eg iPhone, BlackBerry etc) or tablets (eg iPad).
  • Have Internet access and ensure it is working correctly.
  • Type the web address correctly. 
  • Enter your email address correctly
  • Enter your password correctly. If you cannot remember your password, you can reset it on the login screen.

If all of above have been checked then please contact the SA MET office for assistance.

Why does it take so long to load?

This site uses commonly available web-based technology to deliver the application system. If pages are taking a long time to load you should:

  • Check your Internet connection and ensure that it is working correctly.
  • Try accessing the page at a different time.
  • Use it at a site with a faster Internet connection speed. This may be your workplace or another location.

If all of above have been checked then please contact the SA MET office for assistance.

My attachments are bigger than 2MB and I can’t upload them

Uploaded documents must be less than 2Mb in size, you can reduce the file size of your documents by:

  • Removing images from the document.
  • Reducing the size or resolution of an image.
  • Converting the file to a 'pdf' format.
  • Scanning documents at low resolution (eg 100 dpi rather than 300 dpi), as a document (not an image or photo) and scan in black and white.

What do I do if I experience problems with the application system?

In the first instance, save your application, close your Internet browser and then log in again. Try using another Internet browser, for example Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome instead of Internet Explorer.

If an error message is produced, please take a screen dump (Alt + Print Screen) of the message and paste it into an email to SA MET at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with an explanation of what you were doing at the time.

For all other queries, please contact the SA MET office on (08) 8226 7231.

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Registration and logging in

What if I don't have an email address?

Every user requires an individual email address in order to use this website. This is used as your user identification and to communicate with you. There are a number of options for email addresses. These include:

  • Use of a personal hospital/health service email address.
  • Use of a personal or private email address.
  • If you do not have either of the above you could obtain a personal or private email address by signing up for one with your Internet service provider, or from one of the web based email providers such as Google, Hotmail, Yahoo or a range of other providers.
  • Utilising an email address that belongs to a family member or friend (eg husband, wife, son, daughter, sister, brother etc). You will need to remember that you will need to obtain copies of all communications and that you will need enter a security code that is emailed to this address before you can complete your application.
  • Many Internet service providers allow multiple email addresses and a family member may be able to utilise this facility for you.

Why do I need to input a security code?

For security reasons you are required to validate your account.

Once you have registered to apply you will receive a confirmation email containing a unique security code, you will need to enter this code in your application before you are able to complete and submit it.

When should I receive the email with my security code?

This should be received within a few minutes of commencing your application. If you have not received one you should:

  1. Check your junk mail folder
  2. Check your email address and ensure you have typed it correctly
  3. Contact SA MET to regenerate your security code

Can I log out and come back in another time?

You can login as many times as you like, your application will not be finalised until you submit it in the final step.

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Application dates and processes

How do I apply for a TMO position commencing in 2014?

Eligible applicants can apply online. Information about the application process, including dates and the allocation process is provided on the SA MET Website please refer to important dates and TMO application process.

When do I need to provide my supporting documents?

You will need to upload all of the required documentation in your on-line application by the closing date.

Do I have to provide certified copies of my supporting documentation?

No, SA MET does not require documents to be certified, however if you are offered a position then original or certified copies may be required by the hospital prior to an employment contract being provided.

I am not able to complete my application by the closing date

Application closing dates apply to all applicants applying for a position in South Australia. In order to be considered for a position you must complete your application by the closing date of applications.

Can the hospitals view a list of those people who have applied for their training program?

Once applications have closed, training program administrators at the hospitals will be granted access to the list of those applicants who have applied to their training programs so that the  short–listing and ranking process can begin. Hospitals will not be made aware of the ordering of your preferences.

What documentation do I need to complete my application?

Please see application process

What should I do if I don’t get an interview?

Some training programs may not offer interviews if they already know you or may rank applications based purely on your on-line application and referee reports. To be sure you should contact the relevant training program contact person.

How will I find out if I have got a position?

SA MET will send correspondence to you via email; you may only have a short time to respond so please monitor your email regularly. Alternatively you may log in to the system to check the status of your application.

What do I do if I do not get matched to a position?

Please do not contact SA MET to get an update on the progress of your application. You will be advised via email if you have not been matched to a position at the end of the process, your name will be provided to the hospitals in a list of unmatched applicants still looking for work. Where possible, hospitals will fill any arising vacancies from this list of applicants.

Can I move into another hospital position (ie preferred position) that becomes available when someone else withdraws after my initial acceptance?

The allocation system and the SA MET are not able to accommodate a reallocation. Once you have been matched to a position, your only options are to accept or decline. SA MET will match you to only one position.

How do I withdraw my application from the allocation process?

Once you have submitted your application you may withdraw at any time. Simply log in to your application using your existing login details and press the withdraw button.

SA MET requests that you withdraw your application in SA if you have accepted a position in an interstate hospital.

Am I able to swap my allocation with another person?

No, swapping is not allowed.

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Updating my details

I want to update my CV or other details. How can I do this?

You may freely change any details in your application with the exceptions of your referees and your email address up until you submit your application or the application closes.

Once you have submitted your application and after the application closing date you may only:

  • Change the order of your preferences, up until the first round of matching see important dates.
  • Change your contact details
  • Withdraw your application

I've entered my email address incorrectly. How can I fix this?

It is important that your email address is entered correctly as this is used for all communications with you. If you have entered it incorrectly you will need to contact the SA MET office and provide the new details.

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Referees

Information about referee reports can be found on the SA MET Website please refer to referee reports.

How many referees do I need to provide?

You must nominate at least two referees but can provide up to three.

How long do my referees have to complete my report?

Please see important dates for the referee report due date. The sooner you nominate your referees the longer they will have to complete the report. It is the applicants’ responsibility to ensure that referee reports are submitted by the due date.

I have entered a wrong email address for a referee. How can I fix this?

You must ensure that the referee's email address is correct. This is used by SA MET to communicate with the referee and to provide instructions for completing your referee report. If the referee’s email address has been entered incorrectly you will need to contact the SA MET office in order for this to be updated.

One of my referees has told me they cannot complete my report. What should I do now?

If one of your nominated referees is not able to complete the referee report you need to contact the SA MET office and request that the referee be deleted from your application.

It is important that you obtain the agreement of your nominated referees before entering their details.

My referee does not want to complete the form on-line. Can they submit it in another format?

Referee reports can only be completed on-line. There are no other options for completing and submitting a referee report. It should only take 10-15 minutes to complete and all referee reports must be received by the due date.

My referee has not completed the report. What should I do?

It is the applicants’ responsibility to ensure that referees complete and submit their reports by the due date. You may track the status of your referee report online. SA MET staff are not able to provide reminders to referees.

My referees have not completed my reports. Will my application be marked as ineligible?

No, however the hospitals will have less information about you during their selection and ranking process. It is to your advantage to follow up your referees so that the hospitals have access to more information about you.

How can I obtain a copy of my referee report?

Referee reports are confidential and SA MET is unable to provide a copy to you. Referee reports will be provided to all your nominated programs to assist with the short listing and selection process. If you need a copy you may be able to negotiate with your referee to obtain a copy from them.

I have been nominated as a referee by an applicant but I am unable to complete the report. What should I do?

If for any reason you are unable to complete the report please contact the applicant directly and let them know. The applicant can then arrange for an alternative referee to be named.

My referee does not have an email address. Does this matter?

All communication with referees is undertaken by email and all referees must have an email address. This may be one of their own (hospital or personal) or it could be a member of the administrative staff in their clinical unit.

My nominated referee has more than one email address. Can I enter all of these?

It is important that you only provide ONE email address for each referee. It is up to you to ensure that this email address is the referee's preferred contact and that it is entered correctly. If you enter multiple email addresses into the email field then that referee will not be able to be contacted.

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Training program preferences

I want to change my preferences

Before you have submitted your application and before the closing date you can:

  • Change any or all of your preferences by logging into your application.

After you have submitted your application and after the closing date you can:

  • Change the order of your preferences, by logging in and then moving them up or down the list.

Once the allocation process has commenced you are no longer able to change your preferences.

Who should I make my cover letters out to?

Cover letters are to be addressed to the relevant training program contact person. Please see hospital contacts.

Can I update or change my cover letter?

You can update or change a cover letter up until you submit your application. You will not be able to edit your attachments after you have submitted your application.

I have applied for a General Practice Training program. Do I need to do anything else?

General Practice trainees are required to be accepted by the relevant Regional Trainer Provider prior to a contract being provided. You may be required to produce evidence of this.

I have applied for a General Practice Training program however have just been notified that I have not been accepted into the College of GPs. What should I do?

Contact SA MET directly. Your GP preferences can be changed to general training preferences at the same hospital eg. FMC General Practice Training would become FMC General Training. SA MET will notify the relevant training program coordinators of the changes.

Can I include both pre-specialist training and general training in my preferences?

You can choose any combination of preferences including both pre-specialist and general training options. The matching system will optimise your highest preference with the hospital ranking. You will be then be offered the highest available preference.

If you choose not to accept this position you will NOT be offered another position. Once a match has been made your application will be removed from the system - whether you accept the position or not.

What training programs are available in SA and can I apply for all of them through SA MET?

Please see Training programs for a list of available programs

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