Cardiothoracic Surgeons

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.

Diagnosis and treatment

Cardiothoracic Surgeons diagnose and manage diseases affecting the:

• heart
• lungs
• esophagus
• trachea
• diaphragm
• chest wall
• associated vascular structures.

This includes both operative and non-operative treatments.

Surgical procedures

Cardiothoracic Surgeons perform complex surgeries such as:

• heart valve repairs
• coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
• lung resections
• surgeries for congenital heart defects.

Training through RACS prepares surgeons for these procedures, including advanced techniques like minimally invasive surgery.

Trauma care

Cardiothoracic Surgeons manage chest trauma, addressing injuries to vital organs and structures within the thoracic cavity.

Postoperative care

Cardiothoracic Surgeons monitor and manage patient recovery following surgery, working with intensive care units to address complications and ensure optimal recovery outcomes.

Teaching and mentoring

Many surgeons contribute to the training of junior doctors and surgical trainees as part of their role, in alignment with RACS training programs. This includes supervision and mentorship during clinical rotations.

Research and professional development

Cardiothoracic Surgeons must participate in ongoing professional development through RACS continuing professional development programmes. They are also encouraged to contribute to clinical research to advance the field and improve surgical outcomes.

Quality assurance and patient safety

Cardiothoracic Surgeons adhere to the standards and guidelines established by MCNZ and RACS, ensuring that all surgical interventions meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy.

Medical degree

Cardiothoracic Surgeons must first obtain a medical degree (MBChB or equivalent) from a recognised medical school. This typically involves a 5 to 6-year undergraduate medical programme.

General medical registration

Graduates must complete a one-year internship (house officer year) and obtain general registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ). International medical graduates may need to pass additional exams or assessments to gain registration.

Specialist training in cardiothoracic surgery

After gaining general medical registration, doctors must complete a total of six years of specialised training through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). This includes:

• 1 year of basic training
• 5 years of advanced training in cardiothoracic surgery
• at least 12 rotations during training.

Trainees must pass several key examinations and complete essential courses during their training:

• Generic Surgical Science Examination (GSSE) prior to starting Surgical Education and Training (SET)
• Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient (CCrISP) by the end of SET1
• Australian and New Zealand Surgical Skills Education and Training (ASSET) by the end of SET1
• Early Management of Severe Trauma (EMST) by the end of SET2
• cardiothoracic surgical science and clinical examinations before starting the third year of training.

Fellowship with RACS

Upon successful completion of all training requirements, including the Fellowship examination, doctors are awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in Cardiothoracic Surgery. This is required to practice independently in New Zealand.

Experience in cardiothoracic surgery

Relevant clinical experience is gained during training and must include:

• working in an intensive care unit before starting the third year of training
• completing a thesis by the end of SET4
• publishing at least 2 articles in peer-reviewed journals
• attending annual cardiothoracic courses and Australasian Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ASCTS) meetings during training.

Continued professional development

Cardiothoracic surgeons are expected to engage in continuing professional development through the RACS continuing professional development programme to maintain their skills and registration.

English language proficiency

Proficiency in English is mandatory. International medical graduates may need to provide proof of English language proficiency through exams like IELTS or OET unless they have completed their primary medical qualifications in an English-speaking country.

Registration with professional bodies

In addition to registration with the MCNZ, cardiothoracic surgeons must adhere to the standards and codes of conduct established by RACS and other relevant professional bodies.

Registering to work as a Senior Medical Officer in New Zealand

To work as a Senior Medical Officer in 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

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