Frequently asked questions regarding the Medical Program at Northern

General questions

• I have lost my hospital ID badge – how do I get a replacement?
• How do I notify a change of address?
• How can I obtain a pager?
• How can I obtain a locker?
• If I am ill can I see a doctor at my allocated hospital?

Stage 1

• Where will I attend for my clinical school day in Stage 1?

Stage 2

• Where will I attend for my clinical school day in Stage 2?
• How can I find out information about the Stage 2 Travelling Scholarships to Vietnam, PNG and Fiji?

Stage 3

• What is completed in Stage 3?

Stage 3: Core Blocks

• Can I choose my Core Block attachments?
• When do I choose the Core Block attachments?
• How are the attachments allocated once I have submitted my preferences?
• Can I request special consideration for a particular line?
• How does my Attachment supervisor report on my performance in each Attachment?
• How do I evaluate the Core Blocks?
• I would like to do a rural attachment, where can I go?
• Do I receive reimbursement for travel and accommodation when I am on a rural placement?
• When does the structured teaching for Core Blocks take place?
• Is the Autopsy arranged for me?

Stage 3: Specialty Blocks

• Who co-ordinates the Specialty Blocks at Northern Clinical School?
• I am an overseas student. Can I complete a Specialty Block overseas?
• I am studying for the USMLE and would like to defer a Specialty Block in order to study for the exam. Is this possible?
• Where can I find information on the process for organising my Elective term?
• How do I organise an elective placement at one of the hospitals affiliated to the Northern Clinical School?

General questions

I have lost my hospital ID badge – how do I get a replacement?
You should see the Administrative Assistant or another member of the clinical school staff to obtain a form. This should then be taken to the Security Office (level 3 of Main Block, RNSH), where you can obtain a new card.

How do I notify a change of address?
Complete the Contacts Details Form and submit it to the Administrative Assistant ().

How can I obtain a pager?
You should go to the RNSH hospital cashier and explain that you are a medical student and wish to obtain a pager. You need to pay a $50 deposit and bring the receipt to Gina Dolphin, Administrative Assistant at NCS (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays), who will issue you with a pager. The Administrative Assistant will retain your receipt until you bring the pager back. Once the Administrative Assistant gives you back your receipt you will then be able to collect your deposit from the cashier.

How can I obtain a locker?
The lockers are located in the Student Facilities Room on level 4 of the Kolling Building at RNSH. The lockers are operated by the user entering a 4 digit code. Click here for instructions on how to use the lockers.

For locker details at other hospitals please ask the Student Coordinators at those sites.

If I am ill can I see a doctor at my allocated hospital?
Only in case of emergency. Refer to the Medical Program website (http://www.unihealth.usyd.edu.au/) for GP contact details on campus

Stage 1

Where will I attend for my clinical school day in Stage 1?
Clinical Days are either Monday or Wednesday. Students attending Northern Clinical School will be allocated to one of the following hospitals for their clinical day: Royal North Shore (RNSH), Manly or Hornsby. Students at RNSH will attend on Mondays and students at Hornsby Hospital or Manly Hospital will attend on Wednesdays. In Block 4 (Haematology) all students will attend RNSH for teaching but will remain at their usual hospital for their clinical day.

Stage 2

Where will I attend for my clinical school day in Stage 2?
Clinical Days are either Tuesday or Thursday. Students attending Northern Clinical School will be allocated to one of the following hospitals for their clinical day: Royal North Shore (RNSH) or Hornsby. Students at RNSH will attend on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Students at Hornsby Hospital will attend on Tuesdays. In Block 9 (Oncology) most of the teaching will take place at RNSH.

How can I find out information about the Year 2 Travelling Scholarships to Vietnam, PNG and Fiji?
Refer to the Scholarships section on our website.

Stage 3

What is completed in Stage 3?
In Stage 3 you complete Core Blocks in Medicine, Surgery and Critical Care, as well as Specialty Blocks in Perinatal and Women’s Health, Child and Adolescent Health, Community, and Psychological and Addiction Medicine. You also complete an eight week Elective Term and an eight week Pre-internship term.

Stage 3: Core Blocks

Can I choose my Core Block attachments?
You cannot choose individual attachments, but you can select 3 preferences for a ‘line’ of attachments. Lines are combinations of attachments including Core and Specialty Blocks. Current examples can be viewed here. Please note that these lines are subject to change each year.

Each line has been carefully put together to ensure that you receive the correct balance of medicine and surgery, and Critical Care. School of Rural Health Students may opt to spend a period of time at the School of Rural Health (Dubbo and/or Orange Campus) during Year 3/4. Information regarding this is given in Stage 2, and students are invited to visit the School for a weekend, during Stage 2. For more information go to http://www.dubbo.med.usyd.edu.au/

When do I choose the Core Block attachments?
They will normally be published during the Stage 2 Oncology Block and you choose them during that block. An information session will be held to explain the process to you. You will confirm your preferences via email to the Education Support Officer (Stage 3). Further instructions on the process will be provided by the Education Support Officer (Stage 3) at that time.

How are the attachments allocated once I have submitted my preferences?
An Excel/Solver program will randomly allocate the attachments. This ensures that maximum preferences are given where available.

Can I request special consideration for a particular line?
You may do this by writing to the Education Support Officer (Stage 3) stating your reasons. Special consideration will only be given in exceptional circumstances. Decisions on Special Consideration are made by the Education Support Officer (Stage 3) and Executive Officer, and their decision is final.

How does my Attachment Supervisor report on my performance in each Attachment?
You need to provide your supervisor with an evaluation form, available from here or your Stage 3 handbook. The Core Block Attachment Supervisor Report form can also be downloaded from the Medical Program website.
You need to keep a copy of the completed form for each attachment, for your PPD Portfolio, and submit the original to Gina Dolphin, Administrative Assistant, NCS at the end of each Core Block Clinical Attachment.

How do I evaluate the Core Blocks?
You are required to complete the Core Block Evaluation feedback form, available in PDF format here. This applies to all Sydney and rural placements, except if you are at School of Rural Health, as you will provide feedback to the staff there.

I would like to do a rural attachment, where can I go?
This depends on the line you are allocated. If you are not going to the School of Rural Health, current rural attachments for Core Blocks include Lismore, Murwillumbah, Grafton, Remote NT or Alice Springs. Students have the opportunity to spend longer periods of time (up to 32 weeks) in the Northern Rivers for both Core and Specialty Blocks. If you have a preference for a particular rural attachment you should choose a line with that one included.

Do I receive reimbursement for travel and accommodation when I am on a rural placement?
You should refer to the Medical Program website for further information on Rural issues. To obtain an SO10 form, which is required when you attend a rural placement, you should see Gina Dolphin, Administrative Assistant at NCS.

When does the structured teaching for Core Blocks take place?
This is every Friday and includes PBLs, lectures, SCORPIOS, EBM presentations, as well as occasional Community-Doctor and Personal and Professional Development sessions. Patient-Doctor tutorials take place at other times during the week.


Is the Autopsy arranged for me?
Yes, some time during the two years of Stage 3. You will be notified by the Education Support Officer (Stage 3) of when you have been booked in to attend an Autopsy. This will be at the Coroner’s Court in Glebe.

Stage 3: Specialty Blocks

What are the Specialty Blocks?
The Specialty Blocks are shown in the table below. Visit the Medical Program website Stage 3 section for further information.

You will be contacted by the relevant co-ordinator well before each Specialty Block starts, with details, including information about how clinical attachments are allocated, both urban and rural.


Who co-ordinates the Specialty Blocks at Northern?
Your first point of contact should be:

I am an overseas student. Can I complete a Specialty Block overseas?
Yes. There is an opportunity to apply to do ONE rotation overseas. Please refer to the Medical Program website for further information. It is also helpful to make an appointment with the Executive Officer, NCS to discuss your options.

I am studying for the USMLE and would like to defer a Specialty Block in order to study for the exam. Is this possible?
Yes. There is an opportunity to apply for this. Please refer to the Medical Program website for further information. It is also helpful to make an appointment with the Executive Officer, NCS to discuss your options.


Where can I find information on the process for organising my Elective term?
Refer to the Medical Program website website for further information.

How do I organise an elective placement at one of the hospitals affiliated to the Northern Clinical School?
Refer to the Elective Policy on the NCS website.