University of Queensland Medical Society Inc.

Position  Description   Year  1  Academic  Representative  2017  

About  the  UQMS   The   University   of   Queensland   Medical   Society,   established   in   1936,   represents   over   2200   medical   students   and   is   one   of   the   largest   and   most   successful   student   organisations   in   Australia.   The   UQMS   is   a   student-­‐run,   not   for   profit,   incorporated   association   that   operates   independently  of  the  UQ  Union,  administered  by  a  Management  Committee.    Each  member  of   the  Management  Committee  is  elected  for  one  calendar  year  and  oversees  the  administration   of   the   Society,   receiving   crucial   support   from   dozens   of   volunteer   social   and   community   convenors,  academic  representatives,  subcommittee  members,  and  overseeing  officers.      

About  the  UQMS  Management  Committee   The  Management  Committee  is  the  core  operational  body  of  the  UQMS.  It  facilitates  the  day-­‐ to-­‐day   functioning   of   all   aspects   of   the   society,   including   the   running   of   academic   and   social   events,   communication,   sponsorship,   subgroup   support   and   advocacy.   It   is   comprised   of   ten   appointed   members   as   well   as   the   five   elected   members   of   the   Executive   Committee.   All   members   serve   a   one-­‐year   term,   and   share   responsibility   for   the   ongoing   operation   of   the   society.      

Year  1  Academic  Representative  

The   Year   1   Academic   Representative   is   the   most   senior   UQMS   official   in   Year   1   and   has   significant  responsibilities.  Given  that  no  management  committee  members  are  in  Year  1,  the   Academic  Representative  has  been  the  “public  face”  and  “go-­‐to”  for  the  550+  Year  1  students.   The  Academic  Representative  is  the  crucial  link  between  the  student  body,  the  UQMS  and  the   Faculty  of  Medicine.    

The   representative   is   very   important.   The   Advocacy   Chair   relies   heavily   on   the   Academic   Representatives  to  bring  year  level  specific  issues  to  his/her  attention  as  well  as  in  formulating   policy   and   action   plans   to   resolve   issues.   Moreover,   the   UQMS   relies   on   the   Year   1   Representative  to  communicate  information  from  other  representatives,  outside  of  Year  1,  to   students.    

Responsibilities   1. Year  1  Focus  Group:  The  Year  1  Academic  Representative  runs  the  Year  1  focus  group.   These  groups  consist  of  select  Year  1  students  who  represent  the  demographics  of  the   cohort.   This   group   will   meet   at   least   4   times   throughout   the   year   to   discuss   student   concerns   in   the   course   and   brainstorm   solutions   to   bring   to   the   relevant   Course   Coordinator(s).   Focus   Groups   are   relatively   new   initiatives   that   have   been   highly  

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Medical Society successful.     2. Regular   Meetings   with   the   Advocacy   Chair:   The   year   level   representatives   work   closely   and   communicate   frequently   with   the   Advocacy   Chair.   Communication   is   a   key   component  in  successful  student  advocacy.     3. Advocacy   and   Support   for   Year   1   Students:   The   representative   should   be   readily   contactable  and  available  to  the  Year  1  cohort.  In  conjunction  with  the  Advocacy  Chair,   the  representative  should  make  enquiries  and  work  on  issues  that  affect  the  student   body   as   well   as   relaying   important   information,   where   appropriate,   to   staff   and   students.  This  aspect  forms  the  primary  bulk  of  the  role.     4. Assisting   on   occasion   with   Academic   events:   Events   run   by   the   Academic   Events   Coordinator   may   require   hands   on   assistance   to   run   on   occasion.   If   the   event   links   with  a  particular  cohort  (i.e.  a  Year  1  specific  event),  assistance  is  expected.       5. Administration  of  relevant  class  Facebook  page  and  group  drives:  maintenance  and   moderation  of  the  relevant  class  Facebook  page,  as  well  as  set  up  and  management  of   the  relevant  cohort  group  drive.      

Desirable  candidate  attributes   The  prospective  candidate  should  consider  the  following  desirable  candidate  attributes:    

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Interest,  Knowledge  and  Vision:  The  representative  will  be  the  key  UQMS  person  that   identifies   and   facilitates   the   resolution   of   Year   1   academic   problems.   The   representative   should  seek  to  learn  as  much  as  possible  about  the  issues  affecting  the  Year  1  cohort.  A   strong   desire   to   improve   the   academic   experience   and   course   for   current   and   future   Medical  Students  is  essential.   Time:   In   this   role,   you   should   expect   to   do   1-­‐2   hours   per   week   of   work.   Some   weeks   may  require  additional  hours.  Time  management  is  essential  in  this  role.   Professionalism:   At   the   core   of   every   success   of   the   UQMS   is   the   professionalism   of   the   Academic  Representatives.  Our  credibility  within  the  School  of  Medicine  depends  on  the   thoughtful,   timely,   insightful,   diplomatic   and   professional   approach   we   take   to   solving   problems.   Communication   skills,   including   prompt   and   appropriate   responses   to   staff   and   student   emails   and   calls,   are   essential.   The   year   level   representative   is   also   commonly   viewed   as   a   role   model   to   other   students:   exceptional   behaviour   is   expected.   Adherence  to  the  rules  and  guidelines  of  the  UQMS  is  also  required.  

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Previous  Leadership  experience:  Experience  is  always  helpful,  but  not  essential.  In  fact,   many   successful   representatives   have   not   previously   been   involved   in   high-­‐level   leadership  or  UQMS  positions.   Involvement   in   the   UQMS:   All   representatives   act   within   their   portfolio,   but   also   represent  the  UQMS  at  large.  Attendance  and  involvement  in  events,  large-­‐scale  issues   and  other  UQMS  initiatives  is  expected.  The  year  level  representative  will  often  have  to   work  in  conjunction  with  several  other  representatives  or  subcommittees  to  achieve  the   desired  outcomes.  

 

Process  for  Nomination   Please  refer  to  the  “Elections  Information  Guide”  found  on  the  Elections  Website   (www.uqms.org/elections).   This  position  will  require  you  to  fill  out  Form  2  (or  3)  found  on  the  website.   Potential  candidates  are  strongly  advised  to  contact  the  following  people:   1. Contact  the  2017  Advocacy  Chair  to  discuss  the  role  –  Anna  Leikvold   ([email protected]).     Please  be  reminded  that  nominations  open  on  Tuesday  14th  of  February,  and  close  on  Sunday   26th  of  February  6:30pm.  

  Enquiries   For  more  information,  please  contact  UQMS  Secretary  Claire  Barnes  at  [email protected].     Potential  candidates  are  strongly  advised  to  do  the  following:   1. Contact  the  2017  Advocacy  Chair  to  discuss  the  role  –  Anna  Leikvold   ([email protected]).     For  general  enquiries:   University  of  Queensland  Medical  Society   Level  3,  Health  Sciences  Building   RBWH  Herston  QLD   Australia  4006     Office  Hours:  Mon  and  Thurs  9am-­‐  5:30  pm   Telephone:    (+61)  7  3365  5261   Fax:       (+61)  7  3365  5595  

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