Pain Medicine Specialists

Salary

Senior Medical Officers receive a base salary relative to their level of experience. This is agreed upon at the time of the job offer. There is a 15-step pay scale that SMOs continue to progress through on a yearly basis.

In New Zealand, the salaries and benefits of some roles are determined by collective agreements between unions and employers.

Employment agreementsexternal link

Additional allowances are paid on top of base salary and vary due to location and service, and are often not specified in the collective agreement.

Allowances

There is a range of additional allowances for:

• on-call
• evening, night and weekend work
• call back
• job size
• recruitment and retention
• special contribution.

Leave

Leave entitlements include:

• 6 weeks of paid annual leave
• a minimum of 10 days of sick leave per year
• 10 days of paid continuing medical education leave (CME), plus the ability to use annual leave tacked onto the end of your CME travel
• 6 to 12 months of parental leave, depending on the length of service, including 6 weeks of fully paid parental leave
• 12 paid public holidays and time in lieu or alternative holiday if rostered on
• long service leave and sabbatical opportunities.

Additional benefits

Additional benefits include:

• an annual continuing medical education (CME) allowance of NZD $16,000 (pro-rated for part-time employees)
• membership subscriptions of medical professional bodies are reimbursed by Health NZ
• your professional indemnity insurance is covered by Health NZ
• if eligible, up to a 6% matching superannuation contribution from Health NZ as your employer
• a relocation package for international candidates.

KiwiSaver (superannuation savings scheme)

Leadership and career development opportunities

Health NZ encourages Senior Medical Officers to be involved in the design, implementation and performance of facilities and technology involved in the delivery of healthcare services to ensure an effective, efficient and safe workplace.

Specific opportunities vary by location and service; however, they can include:

• support and encouragement for research and publications
• mentorship opportunities for apprentice Junior Doctors/Registrars
• regional and national networks allowing for subspeciality research and practice.
• ongoing development and support for career growth with on-the-job coaching and a variety of in-house training programmes.

The work of Pain Specialists in New Zealand may vary based on location and service, some key roles and responsibilities may include:

Comprehensive pain assessment

• Conduct thorough biopsychosocial evaluations of patients experiencing acute pain.
• Develop individualised management plans addressing the medical, psychological, and social aspects of pain.
• Work closely with patients, families, and referring agencies to ensure comprehensive care.

Interdisciplinary collaboration

• Participate in multidisciplinary teams that include physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and other medical specialists.
• Collaborate with services such as palliative care and alcohol and drug services to provide integrated care for patients with complex needs.

Clinical management

• Provide inpatient assessments for acute pain and acute-on-chronic pain cases.
• Assist in pain education programmes to equip patients with self-management tools and strategies.

Pain interventions

• Perform minimally invasive pain procedures, such as nerve blocks and other interventional techniques, depending on expertise and practice scope.

Education and mentorship

• Teach and mentor registrars, house officers, and other healthcare professionals.
• Contribute to the education of patients through group sessions and individual consultations.

Service development

• Engage in quality improvement initiatives, clinical audits, and research to advance pain management practices.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of clinical pathways to enhance patient care.

Medical qualification

You must hold a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) or an equivalent overseas qualification recognised by the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).

Registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ)

You must obtain vocational registration in pain medicine with the MCNZ.

This typically requires:

• completion of a primary specialist qualification relevant to pain medicine
• completion of the Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM) training program, which includes:
  • a minimum of 2 years full-time equivalent of approved clinical experience directly related to pain medicine
  • regular workplace-based and in-training assessments
  • long case assessments
  • successful completion of the FPM Fellowship examination
  • completion of a clinical case study
• award of the Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine (FFPMANZCA) upon successful completion of the above requirements.

Annual Practising Certificate (APC)

You must maintain a valid APC issued by the MCNZ, which must be renewed annually.

To retain your APC, you must:

• provide evidence of ongoing competence in your field
• participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities.

Registering to work as a Senior Medical Officer in Aotearoa New Zealand

To work as a Senior Medical Officer in Aotearoa New Zealand, you will need to obtain vocational registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).

Pathways to vocational registration

Direct pathway to vocational registration

• If you are an international medical graduate (IMG) with specialist qualifications from countries with medical systems deemed equivalent to New Zealand's (such as Australia, the UK, the USA, Canada and some European countries), you may be eligible to apply directly for vocational registration without needing first to obtain general registration.
• In this pathway, MCNZ will assess your specialist qualifications, clinical experience, and the medical system where you trained. If these are deemed equivalent, you can apply directly for vocational registration in your specialty.
• This pathway allows experienced specialists to bypass general registration and the provisional general phase, which is typically required for doctors without a recognised specialist qualification.

Provisional vocational registration pathway

• If MCNZ determines that your qualifications and experience are largely equivalent but that you need some orientation or assessment within the New Zealand healthcare system, you may be granted provisional vocational registration.
• This means you will practice in your specialty under supervision for a period, typically between 6 to 12 months, before being granted full vocational registration.
• During this provisional vocational registration period, a specialist who practises in the same area of medicine as you will supervise you.

General registration pathway

• If you do not meet the criteria for direct vocational registration, you may need to obtain general registration first if your qualifications and experience are not recognised as equivalent.
• This process to gain vocational registration includes:
  • a period of provisional general registration (with supervised practice) if necessary
  • after obtaining general registration, you can later apply for vocational registration once you have completed any further assessments or additional supervised practice required by the MCNZ.

Self-assessment

The Medical Council of New Zealand have a self-assessment tool to help you easily determine which registration pathway you should take.

Registration self assessment tool — Medical Council of New Zealandexternal link

Find out more about life in New Zealand

We have a page dedicated to providing information to candidates about our recruitment process, what you need to work in Aotearoa New Zealand and key details about moving here.

Visas and settling in New Zealand