The aim of the AMA Victoria Doctors in Training (DiT) mentoring program is to provide a supportive and safe format for DiTs to consider and discuss career and professional development opportunities and challenges by engaging with a more experienced doctor who has skills in mentoring.
The program will also provide opportunities for the DiT mentees and their mentors to participate in small group events on topics relevant to their personal and professional development. AMA Victoria will assist junior doctors to develop the skills which will enable them to become the future leaders of the medical profession.
AMA Victoria's DiT mentoring program is for DiTs who are two to five years after graduation (HMO2 to HMO5). You must be a member of AMA Victoria, working in Victoria as a medical practitioner and have full registration as a medical practitioner with AHPRA.
The AMA Victoria mentors are all senior doctors and AMA Victoria members who have expressed their desire to give back to the profession by volunteering their time to mentor DiTs. These experienced doctors have a passion for helping junior doctors to achieve their aims with the aim of developing future leaders of the medical profession.
Mentors are experienced doctors from Senior Registrar level upwards who are fully registered with AHPRA and currently practising in their chosen field of practice. Mentors are expected to be familiar with the current training pathway of their specialty. AMA Victoria mentors may have been involved in other mentoring programs or have worked recently with junior doctors. All senior doctors volunteering as mentors will be provided with guidance about their role and training as necessary.
Mentor contact with the mentee after matching is expected to be monthly. Mentees are expected to prepare for each meeting with their mentor by providing a short list of topics they wish to discuss. Mentors need to commit to participate in the program for a 12 month period.
Both the mentee application form and the mentor application form provides mentees and mentors with the opportunity to specify their own preferences in relation to the criteria for matching. This, plus the availability of doctors meeting these criteria, form the basis of the match. Many matches will be based on craft group but other criteria may be chosen.
The AMA Victoria DiT mentoring program has a reference group comprising doctors and AMA Victoria staff with a special interest and expertise in mentoring programs. All matches are approved by this group.