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:
- 3 years of initial paediatric surgery training, including:
- 12 months of training in specialty paediatric surgical training posts accredited by the RACS
- 24 months of operative surgery in general posts. The most useful specialty rotations are general surgery, urology, vascular, cardiothoracic and plastic and reconstructive surgery
- during the first 3 years of training the trainee must carry out Direct Observation of Procedures (DOPS), Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises (Mini-CEX) and 360 degree evaluation surveys
- before beginning the fourth year of training the trainee must:
- complete the Early Management of Severe Trauma (EMST), Australian and New Zealand Surgical Skills Education and Training (ASSET), Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient (CCrISP), and Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) courses
- pass the generic surgical science and clinical examinations
- 4 years of advanced paediatric surgery training, which includes further training in specialty paediatric surgery training posts accredited by the RACS
- regularly complete Measure Of Understanding and Surgical Expertise (MOUSE) forms
- complete the Emergency Management of Severe Burns (EMSB) course
- undertake Critical Appraisal Tasks (CATs), Directed Online Group Studies (DOGs) and 360 degree evaluation surveys
- maintain and regularly submit logbooks to their supervisor
- pass the Fellowship examination in their final year of advanced training
- before sitting the Fellowship examination the trainee must pass the paediatric anatomy and paediatric pathophysiology examinations
- 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 New Zealand) you might be eligible for. Note: we do not cover student electives.