Fellowship
Fellowship is the highest level of membership within the College and demonstrates an ongoing commitment to excellence in health service management. Fellowship is a significant professional achievement and should be the aim of all College members. Its standing is recognized both nationally and internationally in the health management arena. The following information is provided to encourage members to consider this unique learning opportunity.
Why undertake the Fellowship Exam?
- Consolidates previous learning and experience in the health sector
- Provides a forum for debate and updating knowledge on current issues, including management, ethics, law and population health
- Demonstrates a high level of commitment as a professional health service manager
- Like other specialty colleges, shows a level of professional achievement
- Is recognised by the College as achieving the highest level in the College
- Provides recognition of accomplishment to prospective employers
- Provides opportunity to participate in College activities such as the Board of Directors
- Is recognised internationally.
The Fellowship Process - What's Involved?
College members joining the program will have the opportunity to review, in a supported group, concepts, issues and current events of relevance to health managers. Recommended readings have been established by the Board.
Assessment is via
- Major oral examination; OR
- Submission of thesis, published papers and/or case studies.
Major oral examinations are held each year in conjunction with the ACHSM National Congress.
Alternatively, candidates wishing to submit a thesis, published papers or case studies for consideration can apply to the Board of Directors for approval of a specific topic. The topic must be relevant to health management practice. The paper is then reviewed by a panel of Fellows for currency and coverage of the topic.
A minor oral examination may also be conducted.
For detail on either approach contact the National Office on 02 9878 5088 or email alison.mccann@achsm.org.au
How can we help - Study Groups for Major Oral Exams.
Being part of a study group means participating in a teleconference once a month, sharing the information and insights you have gained during your self directed study time. The study group provides a structured learning program, set reading material, sharing of tasks, together with group discussions. In essence, oral exam preparation using this approach shares the workload and maintains individual motivation. Candidates use the College Web Page to source information and study material.
There is a range of recommended readings, journals, contemporary articles and web sites which form part of the examinable material.
There has been overwhelming positive support of the study groups from members who have advanced to Fellowship status through this process.
The Value of the Study Group
Apart from enhancing my knowledge and skills development, I met a great group of people with broad and diverse backgrounds that share the same passion for the health care sector. By debating and discussing various topics we developed a comprehensive understanding of the issues and challenges facing the sector and ideas on how they could be addressed. The Study Group time lines helped to pace and motivate us all. The Fellowship Program also improved our ability to source and research information necessary to contribute to the knowledge base of the sector and is also applicable to the workplace. I still maintain contact with members of the study group and we still share information on topical issues.