New Zealand
Working In New Zealand |
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RMOs | Registrars | Senior Medical Officers | General (Family) Practitioners | Consultants
Registered Medical Officers – RMOs
The New Zealand training is similar to the UK’s Foundation Programme. The year is usually divided into four to five terms, with each term dedicated to a particular discipline. As an example, a typical year of rotating terms in emergency medicine, O&G, Orthopaedics, general medicine and internal (or rural) relieving is quite common. Most of the hospitals will do their best to accommodate requests for specific terms.
Although the majority of RMOs commence at this time, there is considerable flexibility to allow start times throughout the year, and the majority of New Zealand hospitals are quite accustomed to “fitting in” with the UK year, with a considerable number of UK doctors starting later in February and at other odd times throughout the year. At this level, they do prefer that you start work at the beginning of a term rather than in the middle.
Although New Zealand trainees are often given preference when allocating terms, there is always excellent opportunities for rotations in some of the more hard to get disciplines such as ICU/CCU, paediatrics, surgical specialties and more.
Working in New Zealand at this level can be a fantastic experience that will contribute positively to acquiring a broad range of skills.
Registrars
Following the Senior House Officer (SHO) year, registrar level positions are readily available at the majority of hospitals in New Zealand. However, not all the positions at this level are necessarily accredited through a collegiate training program, although the duties performed are the same.
The level of position is basically the same as it is in the UK, usually with supervision of a consultant, and in most cases this level of position will be the last in line for advice and action before a consultant is called.
Accredited positions are in high demand from New Zealand graduates, however there is every possibility that the experience gained will be accepted by colleges based overseas. It is advisable to check this out before committing to a position at this level.
Some international medical graduates are welcome to join some training programmes in Australasia. These include general medical, paediatric and emergency medicine training.
If you are wanting training from overseas to be accredited by an Australasian College, the majority will recognise basic training conducted in recognised overseas centres. Again the best advice here is to check and ask the questions before your accept the position. A list of the colleges can be found here.
Senior Medical Officers
Senior Medical Officer positions are similar to the UK Staff Grade. Most commonly these positions require medical practitioners with considerable post-graduate experience in areas such as general practice, emergency medicine obstetric & gynaecology and/or anaesthetics.
Senior Medical Officers are required to work unsupervised so they need to have extensive experience. They are also responsible for the supervision of Registrars and other Resident Medical Officers.
General Practitioners
A general practitioner (family physician) is commonly referred to as a GP in New Zealand. A GP is a doctor who works in family medicine or primary healthcare. Most GPs work in small private practices (nearly 65%) and are usually the first point of contact for someone seeking general healthcare services. They may be self-employed or contracted to a practice. Roughly 25% of GPs work in hospitals. Rural GPs tend to work in both private practice and in public and private hospital settings.
General Practice is considered a specialty in Australasia, and considerable information about working in general practice in New Zealand can be found by visit the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners web site.
Consultant Specialists
If you are an overseas trained specialist, your qualifications will not necessarily grant you automatic recognition as a specialist in New Zealand. To be see how your qualifications will be assessed, please visit the New Zealand Medical Council, or ask your Latitudes Consultant.
Further Information
Job Levels
Specialist Colleges
Indemnity Insurance
Taxation
Living in New Zealand
