Why work at Medical Panels?
Medical Panels provides an exciting opportunity to develop new skills and enhance capabilities in a collaborative and intellectually challenging environment, while making an active contribution to the community.
Medical Panel work is sessional and provides a unique flexibility to schedule appointments and complete assessments around practitioner availability through face-to-face and online methodologies.
"The flexibility is fantastic." Dr Andrea Bendrups – Rheumatologist
Medical Panels provides an induction program, ongoing mentoring and professional networking opportunities with practitioners across a wide range of specialties. Specialised impairment assessment training can be completed once appointed.
Medical Panellists are supported and encouraged to create lasting relationships, allowing them to continue to reap the rewards of participation well beyond their term of appointment.
What are Medical Panels?
Medical Panels are expert panels of medical practitioners drawn from a wide range of specialty areas statutorily appointed as a List of Eligible Members (the List) by the Victorian Government. From the List, the Convenor of Medical Panels puts together groups of practitioners to form Medical Panels to:
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conduct medical consultations and examinations
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comprehensively analyse the medical information
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apply the facts to medical questions relating to workers' compensation or other personal injury law, and make a final and binding decision.
Medical Panels perform a different function to independent medical examiners or other medico-legal work. Individually convened Medical Panels function as independent tribunals, and Panel Members are accorded the same protection and immunity as a judge of the Supreme Court in performance of his or her duties.
Role of allied health practitioners on Medical Panels
Allied health practitioners play an important role by providing specialist expertise that supplements the medical expertise of the Medical Panellists.
Under the terms of the legislation, allied health practitioners cannot be appointed to the List of Eligible Members (the List) by the Victorian Government. However, they can still be involved and sit on Medical Panels.
Role of consultants on Medical Panels
Consultants who are medical practitioners (but not appointed to the List of Eligible Members) also play an important role on Medical Panels. They're often engaged to work with Medical Panels supplementing the medical expertise of the Medical Panellists.
Key responsibilities for allied health practitioners and consultants
Similar to Medical Panellists, allied health practitioners and consultants are expected to:
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interview claimants and workers respectfully
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work in a collegiate manner with other Panellists
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be objective and remain independent
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avoid bias, and be aware of perceived bias and unconscious bias
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be rigorous and timely in answering medical questions,
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uphold Public Service values of integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership, and respect for human rights.
Individuals are expected to:
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maintain professional development required in their field of expertise
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attend induction, mentoring and training programs
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alert the Convenor to any complaints lodged or conflicts of interest.
Time commitment
The work at Medical Panels can fit into your existing commitments.
Appointment to individually convened Medical Panels is based on the operational needs and referral demands of Medical Panels.
Aside from the consultation appointments, you will need additional time to work with your Medical Panel colleagues to develop and deliver the decision documents.
Benefits of engagement with Medical Panels
Being an allied health practitioner or consultant provides a number of unique benefits for practitioners:
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The work is intellectually and clinically stimulating.
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The work is undertaken in a collegial manner with a broad range of medical specialists.
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There is flexible and family-friendly scheduling available.
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Ongoing professional development is provided.
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The work is appropriately remunerated.
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Onsite parking is available at our La Trobe Street offices.
Transitioning from a consultant to a medical panellist
Medical Panels is committed to ensuring an inclusive and diverse environment that recognises, respects and supports its workforce. It values medical practitioners engaged initially as consultants who may wish to transition to become Medical Panellists.
Recruitment cycle
The next recruitment cycle, open to all suitable medical practitioners from all fields of medicine, will commence in early 2025, for appointment to the List for a period of three years from January 2026.
If you want to be added to the expressions of interest register, please email the recruitment team: recruitment@medicalpanels.vic.gov.au.
More information
For more information about working with Medical Panels, please contact us via email: recruitment@medicalpanels.vic.gov.au.
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