About the program
The Western Sydney Surgical Skills Training Network offers a comprehensive surgical education and training program for:
- Surgical Senior Resident Medical Officers (SRMOs ) and unaccredited trainees
- PGY1–2 doctors interested in pursuing surgical careers.
The Surgical Education and Training program managed by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS).
You can qualify as a surgical skills trainee if you are interested in a career in surgery and are one of the following:
- an intern or Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY1) doctor
- a resident or PGY2 doctor
- a PGY3 or above doctor who has not yet been accepted into a Surgical Education and Training (SET) program.
The program:
- Provides mentoring, supervision, human resources support and career guidance from Network Directors of Training, the Network Manager or Education Support Officer (ESO), Supervisors of Training, and senior and junior clinicians.
- Supports the development of prevocational trainees (PGY1–2).
- Offers PGY3+ training positions that include exposure to surgical terms, giving participants the opportunity to develop skills and competencies before entering a SET program.
- Supports SET trainees in the Surgical Education programs of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) and General Surgeons Australia (GSA). These trainees rotate through most placements and provide valuable guidance to unaccredited trainees preparing for SET entry.
- Offers a variety of training opportunities, including workshops, professional development sessions, weekly lectures and surgical skills labs.
All surgical trainees in the Western Sydney rotation must take part in the Surgical Education Program.
This program provides a continuous series of educational activities for trainees at all levels. It covers a broad range of topics to help trainees build a wide and balanced knowledge base.
Attendance is mandatory for all trainees in the Surgical Education Program. A strict roll call will be taken at each session.
Surgical junior medical officers (JMOs) and trainees from other centres are also strongly encouraged to attend.
If you cannot attend a session, you must inform the Surgical Trainee Representative in advance so your apology can be recorded.
NSW Health coordinates an annual Junior Medical Officer (JMO) recruitment campaign. The campaign advertises both vocational and non-vocational positions for the following clinical year.
You can learn more about the Surgical Skills Training Networks on the NSW Health JMO website.
All recruitment is completed online through the NSW Health JMO Recruitment Online Base (ROB).
JMO recruitment campaign
Each year, NSW Health runs the Junior Medical Officer (JMO) recruitment campaign for the next clinical year.
Applications are made online through the NSW Health JMO ROB portal.
Positions for the 2026 clinical year
The 2026 JMO recruitment campaign dates are now available on the NSW Health website.
Surgical Skills position information
Apply online for the Surgical Skills 2026 SRMO position at NSW Health Careers – Senior Resident Medical Officer (Surgical Skills).
Surgical Skills Training Network SRMO rotations
The Surgical Skills Training Network provides structured Senior Resident Medical Officer (SRMO) rotations designed to develop surgical knowledge, skills and clinical experience.
These rotations give SRMOs exposure to a broad range of surgical specialties and ensure a balance of clinical, operative and academic learning opportunities.
Rotations are coordinated across hospitals in the Western Sydney Surgical Skills Training Network, allowing trainees to experience different surgical settings and teams.
SRMO rotations are offered at the following Network hospitals:
Each site provides exposure to various surgical terms and subspecialties, with access to supervision, mentoring and formal education sessions.
Rotations are usually organised in 3- to 6-month terms, covering core surgical areas such as:
- general surgery
- vascular surgery
- upper gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary surgery
- colorectal surgery
- plastic and reconstructive surgery
- orthopaedic surgery
- urology
- ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgery.
SRMOs also have the opportunity to participate in specialised surgical clinics, simulation sessions and multidisciplinary team meetings.
| Surgical department | Hospital | Trainees allocated each term | Term in weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper GI | Westmead | 1 | 13 weeks |
| ENT/Ortho | Auburn | 1 | 13 weeks |
| Trauma and critical care | Westmead | 4 | 13 weeks |
| Breast | Westmead | 1 | 13 weeks |
| Vascular | Westmead | 1 | 13 weeks |
| Urology | Westmead | 1 | 13 weeks |
| Surgical oncology | Westmead | 1 | 13 weeks |
| Cardiothoracic | Westmead | 2 | 26 weeks |
| General | Mount Druitt | 1 | 13 weeks |
| Acute surgical unit | Westmead | 4 | 13 weeks |
| Plastic | Westmead | 1 | 13 weeks |
| Relief | SMRO Network and SET Network | 6 | 13 weeks |
| Colorectal | Westmead | 1 | 13 weeks |
| Emergency surgery team | Blacktown | 1 | 13 weeks |
| Paediatric | Children’s Hospital Network | 1 | 13 weeks |
| General | Broken Hill | 1 | 26 weeks |
| ICU | Westmead | 2 pending approval | 13 weeks |
SRMOs receive ongoing supervision and mentoring from:
- Network Directors of Training.
- Supervisors of Training.
- Senior clinicians and registrars.
- The Network Manager and Education Support Officer (ESO).
Career development support is provided throughout each term to help SRMOs prepare for SET (Surgical Education and Training) program applications.
Research
Research is strongly encouraged and supported within the Western Sydney Surgical Skills Training Network.
The Network maintains close partnerships with the University of Sydney and the Westmead Clinical School to promote research, innovation and academic collaboration.
Two of our senior team members, Professor Henry Pleass and Associate Professor Vincent Lam, have developed a range of potential research project topics. These will be available soon on the University of Sydney website
Surgical trainees, students and staff interested in research are invited to attendWestmead SREC meetings, held every six weeks at the Westmead Education and Conference Centre (WECC), Theatre 4.
These meetings aim to:
- foster a strong culture of surgical research
- increase the number of publications and presentations produced by the Westmead surgical community
- encourage collaboration between trainees, researchers and specialists.
Many surgical trainees are currently completing a Master of Surgery (MS), while others choose to undertake a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) during their training.
The Westmead SREC aims to inspire trainees interested in surgical careers and transform research ideas into active learning and academic success.
Meeting coordinator: Professor Henry Pleass
Guest speakers: Invited at each session
Location:
Westmead Education and Conference Centre (WECC), Westmead Hospital
The Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has an extensive research and teaching program with a strong national and international reputation.
The Research and Education Network (REN) provides governance and support for research and teaching across WSLHD. Its goal is to create an environment that promotes innovation, collaboration and excellence.
The REN team assists research and teaching staff by:
- supporting the development and management of projects and programs
- helping secure appropriate space and facilities
- guiding staff through required research governance processes
- providing IT, human resources and financial support for research growth.
WSLHD’s research and teaching programs continue to thrive thanks to the dedication of researchers, teachers and support staff.