10.2 Conditions of Appointment under Civil Aviation Safety Regulations Part 67

CASR 67.060 states the appointment of a DAME is subject to the following conditions:

1. that he or she complies with any requirement of the Designated Aviation Medical Examiner’s Handbook that is applicable to him or her;
2. that he or she observes the Code of Ethics of the Australian Medical Association, as that Code is in effect from time to time;
3. that he or she undertakes continuing training in aviation medicine according to a course or system specified, or referred to, on the CASA website or otherwise approved by CASA;
4. that, if he or she is convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment for 12 months or longer (whether or not such a sentence is actually imposed), he or she tells CASA of the conviction in writing as soon as practicable.

The instrument of appointment of a DAME is also expressed to be subject to conditions imposed in accordance with regulation 11.056 of the CASR, namely:

1. the privileges of the appointment may only be exercised at the business address(es) specified above;
2. the DAME must comply with all the conditions of appointment in the attachment to the DAME or DAO Appointment or Reappointment form;
3. the DAME must comply with any requirement in CASA’s DAME Handbook expressed as a mandatory obligation on a DAME.

For paragraph numbered 3, the following are mandatory obligations on a DAME. A breach of any of these conditions is a criminal offence and may also be grounds for CASA to terminate a person’s appointment as a DAME:

1. The DAME is required:

   1. to be satisfied as to the identity of each applicant;
   2. to examine personally each application presenting for examination;
   3. to devote such time and skill to the examination of applicants as is necessary to elicit a careful history and to conduct a full and thorough examination;
   4. at the conclusion of each medical examination to forward the report to CASA as soon as practicable;
   5. if the holder of a medical certificate tells the DAME about a medical condition that is relevant to aviation safety, the DAME must inform CASA of the condition within 5 working days;
   6. keep themselves informed of, and follow the relevant standards, techniques and administrative procedures associated with medical examinations detailed in the DAME Handbook and in the DAME Newsletter published by CASA on its website;
   7. to notify CASA if absent from active practice for more than 4 weeks;
   8. to notify CASA of any change of address, of contact details, or of cessation of practice;
   9. to acknowledge CASA's right to terminate Designation should the DAME conduct himself/herself in a manner that is detrimental to the interests of CASA or breach any of these conditions of appointment;
   10. to authorise CASA to publish in the DAME Newsletter and the CASA website the DAME's cessation of practice, resignation of appointment as a DAME or termination of appointment as a DAME by CASA;
   11. to authorise, on request, the regulatory authority of any ICAO Contracting State that designated or designates the DAME to disclose to CASA information about the DAME's performance and competence as a medical examiner;
   12. to authorise, on request, CASA to disclose to the regulatory authority of another ICAO Contracting State that designates medical examiners for that State that has designated the DAME or to which the DAME has applied to be designated, information about the DAME's performance as a medical examiner;
   13. make their premises available and documentation available for inspection by CASA.

2. A DAME is required to provide the following facilities and equipment:

   1. a suitable examination room and general diagnostic equipment, including an accurate sphygmomanometer;
   2. simple urine testing facilities;
   3. Ishihara pseudoisochromatic chart (24 plate) for colour vision testing;
   4. visual acuity charts(s) for use at 6 metres;
   5. N series test types for near vision testing;
   6. Ophthalmoscope;
   7. a height measuring scale (cm);
   8. weighing scales (kg);
   9. an electrocardiograph machine which complies with the Australian Standard, or a reliable local source for obtaining ECGs when required (a specimen tracing on a normal subject from this machine may be required);
   10. a suitable computer, document scanner, modem, and software package for communication with CASA. (Details will be notified from time to time).

DAMEs should also be aware that their designation as a DAME does not extend to their DAME's partners, assistants or locums. However, under CASR 67.055 of CASR, CASA may declare, in writing, that the person holding or occupying a particular office or position from time to time, or performing the duties of a particular office or position from time to time, is, taken to be a DAME. CASA may also declare, in writing, that a medical practitioner specified in the declaration is, for the purposes of doing a particular act or thing specified in the declaration, taken to be a DAME.