Paediatric surgery
Paediatric surgery is the diagnosis and treatment (operative and non operative) of children (usually up to 15 years of age) who may require surgery. It includes non-cardiac thoracic surgery, general paediatric surgery, oncological surgery, urology in children and the management of congenital abnormalities both ante-natally and in the neonatal period. Also included is the management of major trauma in children.
Vocational training in New Zealand
Vocational training in paediatric surgery is undertaken through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). Once RACS training is completed the doctor is awarded the Fellowship of the RACS (FRACS) in paediatric surgery.
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The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), formed in 1927, is a non-profit organisation training surgeons and maintaining surgical standards in Australia and New Zealand.
Am I able to apply to work as a recognised specialist in New Zealand?
To apply for vocational registration in paediatric surgery you need either:
- the FRACS qualification; or
- an international postgraduate medical qualification, where your combination of qualifications, training and experience will then be assessed against the standard of FRACS in paediatric surgery.
What standard will my training, qualifications and experience be compared against?
Recognised specialists in New Zealand must complete at least 7 years of advanced training (after obtaining general medical and surgical experience) and meet the requirements below:
- pass the generic surgical science (GSSE) prior to starting SET
- during the first year of training complete a presentation
- during the first 2 years of training the trainee must carry out Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises (Mini-CEX) and 360 degree evaluation surveys.
- before beginning the third year of training the trainee must complete the:
- Early Management of Severe Trauma (EMST), Emergency Management of Severe Burns (EMSB), Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient (CCrISP), and Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) courses.
- before beginning the fifth year of training the trainee must complete the Training in Professional Skills (TiPS) Course.
- regularly complete Measure Of Understanding and Surgical Expertise (MOUSE) forms
- in years two to four undertake Critical Appraisal Tasks (CATs), and Directed Online Group Studies (DOGs).
- maintain and regularly submit logbooks to their supervisor.
- attend annual Registrar Training Seminar.
- before beginning the third year of training pass the Paediatric Anatomy and Embryology Examination.
- before beginning the fifth year of training pass the Paediatric Pathophysiology Examination.
- before beginning the fifth year of training complete the research requirement.
- pass the Fellowship examination in their final year of advanced training
- participate in the RACS continuing professional development programme.
Once a trainee has successfully completed all the examination and training requirements they will be awarded the FRACS in paediatric surgery.
I want to make a vocational registration application
To make a vocational registration application, please refer to the Vocational Registration Homepage and select the option appropriate for you.
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Vocational registration is a form of permanent, specialist registration which allows you to work independently in New Zealand.
Am I able to apply for other types of registration?
You may be able to apply for more than one type of registration. To find out which is the best fit for you, please use our self assessment tool.
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Use our registration self assessment tool to determine which pathway to registration (as a medical practitioner in Aotearoa New Zealand) you might be eligible for. Note: we do not cover student electives.