The Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) New-to-Remote Program aims to support and educate Health Professionals (HPs) who are new to remote practice. The program focuses on primary healthcare delivery, as well as providing professional development in emergency and other specialist remote healthcare fields.

We acknowledge that transitioning urban health professionals into remote healthcare is a complex process and requires ongoing support throughout the transition period. 

What is the New-to-Remote Program?

The new-to-remote service offers a comprehensive program for HPs who are new-to-remote practice, including:

  1. Partnered placement assignment: RAHC collaborates with clinics to assign new-to-remote HPs to placements that match their CV and clinical skills list at the N3 level.
  2. Remote Educator support: New-to-remote HPs will be supported by a RAHC Remote Educator for two weeks to orientate them to all aspects of remote care. Our remote educators work with the clinics to understand the specific requirements of the placement to support the HPs comprehensive clinical and cultural orientation.
  3. New-to-Remote N3 transition cycle: Over a period of up to 12-months, RAHCs new-to-remote HPs undertake further placements progressing them through all elements of primary healthcare. Progress and assessment, including self-reflection, are recorded, and new-to-remote HPs will only be recognised to be engaged at N4 status when they have completed all primary healthcare criteria and the standards have been ratified by either a RAHC Remote Educator or the clinic manager.

Remote healthcare is a specialised skill that requires ongoing support and understanding of numerous elements throughout the transition period. The new-to-remote approach will ensure that our HPs are well-prepared and supported in their transition to remote practice.

We are partnering with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHO) to implement our new-to-remote service and ensure we continue supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

To get involved in our new-to-remote program, please reach out to the RAHC team by visiting our website - https://www.rahc.com.au/enquiry-form.