Information for applicants

An endo-arterial/venous intervention performed in vasculature external to the heart, in the following regions: extra cranial, thoracic, abdominal or the four limbs.
Excludes:

• central venous or percutaneous catheters such as PICC Lines/CVC
• tunnelled and port lines using venous access devices such as Hickmans or Portacaths
• jugular/subclavian venous lines
• endovenous ablative therapies

The Conjoint Committee recognises experience in peripheral endovascular therapy, carotid stenting, and fenestrated or branched endografting.

Applicants must indicate on the application form the procedure category or categories for which they are seeking recognition.

Applicants must demonstrate, via the prescribed logbook template (DOC 145.5KB), the completion of the following minimum procedural requirements:

(The committee recognises that diagnostic peripheral angiography is very rarely performed in the modern era; as a result, control or planning angiograms, performed as part of interventional procedures, may be submitted by candidates to make up the numbers).

Peripheral endovascular therapy

• Completion of a minimum of 100 diagnostic angiograms where at least 50 per cent have been performed by the applicant as primary proceduralist (unassisted but under supervision).
• Completion of a minimum of 50 peripheral vascular interventions where at least 50 per cent have been performed by the applicant as primary proceduralist (unassisted but under supervision).
• Provision of a supervisor's report for peripheral vascular intervention (basic endovascular skills).

 Carotid stenting

• Completion and recognition of peripheral endovascular therapy requirements as described above.
• Completion of a minimum of 25 carotid stent procedures as primary proceduralist
• Provision of a supervisor's report.

Fenestrated or branched endografting

• Completion and recognition of peripheral endovascular therapy requirements as described above.
• Completion of a minimum of 50 standard aortic endografts as primary proceduralist.
• Participation in five cases as an observer.
• Completion of five mentored cases.

Those who have undertaken training in peripheral endovascular therapy in either Australia or New Zealand at one of the following Colleges in the preceeding two years:

• Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
• Royal Australasian College of Physicians
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists

The Committee will recognise training upon completion of the Fellowship from the relevant College.

Logbook

Details of all cases attempted, including assisted and unassisted procedures, and those not successfully completed, must be recorded in the prescribed log book template.

All details must be completed, including region treated, procedure name, procedure outcome, level of assistance and name of proceduralist.

All documents that contain patient information must be de-identified prior to submission. The log book must be signed by the supervisor to verify the procedures.

Supervisor's report

The Supervisor's report should attest that the applicant:

• is competent to perform the endovascular procedure safely and expeditiously
• competently integrates indications for other procedures and therapy into patient management
• recognises and manages complications
• understands risk factors and is able to recognise personal and procedural limits.

The supervisor should:

• be a senior person in an active unit
• be experienced in the form of peripheral endovascular therapy for which the application is being made
• be recognised by the Conjoint Committee in the particular type of peripheral endovascular therapy, or be known to be of equivalent standard
• have personally supervised part of the applicant's training.

Radiation licence

Applications must include a certified copy of a radiation certificate (for South Australian applicants) or radiation licence (for all other applicants except Tasmanian applicants). 

Training Completed more than two years ago. In this case, an applicant must:

• be a Fellow of one of the three Australasian Colleges
• provide two written references
• hold a current radiation licence or certificate (except Tasmanian applicants) - a certified copy must be submitted
• provide a log book showing that the minimum procedural requirements have been met. Please note that the written references must be from within the last twelve months, and be from referees who are acceptable to the Conjoint Committee. The referees must be accredited specialists in the relevant discipline, as recognised by the Health Insurance Commission (HIC) or Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).

• Applicants who have been trained internationally (and completed equivalent training within the last two years) but who now reside in either Australia or New Zealand may also apply for recognition. These applicants must provide one written reference (supervisor's report) from the training site plus one written reference from a local consultant in Australia or New Zealand. References must be from within the last twelve months. They must also provide a log book and a certified current radiation licence or certificate.
• Overseas-trained applicants, who are applying as experienced proceduralists (obtained Fellowship qualification more than two years ago) must satisfy the same criteria as experienced Australasian-trained applicants. In this case, at least one of the two referees must be from Australia or New Zealand. Written reports from one overseas referee and one local referee will be acceptable in the case of a senior medical practitioner who has recently relocated to Australia or New Zealand.
• Recognition of training is not applicable to overseas trained applicants who are not a Fellow of one of the three participating Colleges. 

Download the application form (PDF 105.97KB). Applications must include:

• a completed logbook on the prescribed logbook template (DOC 145.5KB)
• a supervisor's report (where applicable)
• two written references (where applicable)
• a certified copy of a radiation certificate (for South Australian applicants) or radiation licence (for all other applicants except Tasmanian applicants)
• evidence confirming that they are a Fellow or a trainee of one of the three participating Colleges, eg correspondence on the relevant College letterhead.
• payment of the application fee.

The applicant will be notified of the results of the assessment in writing.

Requests for a review of a decision should be made in writing to the Secretariat, Conjoint Committee for the Recognition of Training in Peripheral Endovascular Therapy at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

For details, see the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons' appeals mechanism policy.

The Conjoint Committee has determined that the following fees are payable when applying for recognition of training:

Non-refundable application fee: A$445 (including GST)
Re-assessment or re-application fee: A$155 (including GST)

All fees are non-refundable.