One of the essential professions in the world is based on saving people’s lives. Did you well guess the topic of today’s article? It’s time to cover the job that requires ongoing research and studies, dedication, flexibility, and improvement of general health and wellbeing. What revolves around doctors' careers in New Zealand? What are the requirements for foreigners to practice this job? Let’s find out.

General Practitioner’s Careers in New Zealand:

A general practitioner is one of the medical careers that have a promising future in New Zealand. These practitioners are doctors who operate in preliminary tests. They examine or establish a diagnosis, study examinations and prescribe the necessary medical treatment. In New Zealand, some general practitioners and doctors are specialized in pathologies.

Dealing with various health problems, doctors must make a diagnosis based on interviewing the patients about their symptoms. They can also use multiple tools for the clinical examination such as taking blood pressure, temperature, requiring x-rays imageries, etc.… Then, depending on the results, doctors will describe the treatment and the recovery process. They are also active in making updated findings for scientific research and the current pandemic disease.

In private clinics, doctors can work as practitioners or specialists with a different hourly wage. In many cases, practitioners work in both medical sectors, dividing their days into two various hospitals. Doctors can also take vacations with social services. They can work in many sectors of activity: pharmaceutical industry, humanitarian medicine, school medicine, labs, public health, occupational medicine, etc...take a look at; What Does a Caregiver Do in New Zealand ?

In additions, physicians, whether general practitioners or specialists (cardiologist, radiologist, ophthalmologist, pediatrician, etc.), must be registered with the New Zealand Medical Council to be able to practice

-Military doctors operate periodically during military training and admission in the field or army hospitals.

-School doctors work in primary schools and high schools. Their missions are multiple since they are operating to check up on students and determine the kind of health care they need. They can also determine if the student can perform sports activities or not.

Studies and Internship to Become a Doctor in New Zealand

For becoming a doctor, a medicine degree is compulsory. In New Zealand, medical studies last 6 years for a general practitioner, adding 2 or 3 years for a specialist.

The exams in the 5th year are a crucial step, which validates the achievements of 5 years. The 6th year is more focused on clinical training and internship. The medical student can also apply for a specialty, as there are many medical and surgical specialties in New Zealand. Take a look at; MBBS in New Zealand: Colleges, Fees, Scholarship, Scope

Hospital internship lasts two years for general practitioners, 3 years for specialists, and 3 years for surgeon-trainees.

At the end of the educational year, medical interns obtain a degree that enables them to get hired. They also obtain the state of a doctor of medicine after the thesis defense.

Career Development:

A general doctor can elevate in career and choose to either operate in the medical field or the academic field as a Doctor Professor teaching medical students. After a few years of practice, experienced doctors can move towards emergency services and public health to more specialized sectors such as school health, occupational medicine, military doctors, forensic doctors, etc.) Why not turn to research? Many organizations are funding medical research and especially the labs working on the manufacturing of Covid vaccines.

1.Applying for a specialization :

Doctors can orient themselves towards other practices such as acupuncture, gynecology, or osteopathy provided that they have a specific degree and completed training in the target specialty.

2. Supervising trainees :

Experienced doctors can operate in the academic fulfillment of medical students. They interfere in the admission of the delegates to study for a specialized medical degree or to start their career in the medical field.

3. Reviewing check-ups and setting appointments for surgeries and sensitive procedures:

Doctors also have some administrative tasks to maintain the patients’ files for follow-ups or for undergoing surgical procedures. These tasks also include sending patients to joint hospitals and departments in case of a shortage of specialists.

4. Conferencing:

One of the tasks that over-skilled doctors do is conferencing. Doctors are operating in a flexible field requiring intensive studies and research. Conferencing includes:

• Highlighting the major studies
• Exhibiting findings
• Summing up the research journey and defending a thesis.

Foreign Doctors Careers in New Zealand:

Foreign doctors have the exact terms of reference as local doctors have. Whether they are general practitioners or specialists, they should be registered with the council. They should also undergo a period of supervisory follow-up. It should be noted that the New Zealand fellowship in any discipline is affiliated with Australia’s Royal Colleges

Foreign doctors’ registration is classified under three categories:

1.General scope of practice: this type is for general practitioners. It is mandatory to have an equivalent degree or complete postgraduate medical education. It should also be preceded by another registration named Provisional general scope of practice.

2. Vocational scope of practice: the Provisional vocational scope of practice should precede foreign specialists who have postgraduate degrees from any other country.

3. Special purpose scope of practice: The practice of medicine under limited or defined reasons, for example, getting a sabbatical leave or being sent by a specific organization in a voluntary humanitarian mission. Looking for a paramedical job? Let’s consider How can I Become a Health Care Assistant in NZ?

This was all about medical careers in New Zealand. It is a rich field with a promising future that grants career development and success.