Pathology

Pathology services are delivered in both public hospital laboratories and private laboratories in New Zealand. The workforce groups involved are pathologists, medical laboratory technologists (MLTs), and laboratory assistants.

In New Zealand there are several sub branches of pathology: anatomical pathology (including histopathology, cytopathology and forensic pathology), chemical pathology, general pathology (a mix of anatomical pathology and clinical pathology), genetics, haematology, immunology, and microbiology (including virology).

The pathology training programme can be undertaken solely in laboratory pathology, leading to Fellowship of the RCPA, or in both laboratory pathology and its associated clinical discipline, leading to dual Fellowships of RCPA and Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). To be registered within a vocational scope of pathology in New Zealand it is expected you would have training, qualifications and experience equivalent to or as satisfactory as a New Zealand trained pathologist. To enable you to assess this answer the following questions.

Checklist

	Tick if you have completed these requirements	Pathology Training in New Zealand
	Have you completed at least five years specialist training?	In the five year training programme, training must be undertaken in at least two laboratories. Part time training may be acceptable in certain instances.
	Have you the equivalent of a qualification in pathological sciences after at least three years training?	Training in laboratory pathology may be either in general pathology or in one of the following pathology sub branches: anatomical pathology; chemical pathology, genetics, haematology, immunology and microbiology. Milestones in training include the examination in pathological sciences taken by all registrars in the first three years of training. The Part I examination in the chosen sub branch is taken usually in the third year of training.
	Have you completed a specialist exit examination?	The Part II examination is taken in the fifth year of training.
		Candidates must pass the Final Fellowship examination at the end of their training. This exam may comprise written, multiple choice, short answer papers, practical and viva examinations.
	Do you participate in a continuing medical education programme to ensure your knowledge and skills are current?	In New Zealand pathologists registered in a vocational scope will be required to participate in an approved recertification programme, such as the Continuing Professional Development Programme of the RCPA, which will include self audit and peer review.

Self assessment

If you cannot answer 'yes' to all the above questions and demonstrate that your training, qualifications and experience are equivalent to or as satisfactory as that of a New Zealand trained pathologist it is unlikely you will be eligible for registration within a vocational scope in New Zealand.

To see if you meet the requirements for another pathway to registration, return to the registration self assessment checklist and complete the checklist answering no to the question “are you a qualified specialist or do you have a postgraduate qualification“.

If you have been able to answer yes to the above questions, please click here for the application form and for more information on the application process.

For more information about pathology training in New Zealand go to the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia website.

Pathology

Checklist

Self assessment

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