Vascular surgery

Vascular surgery is the diagnosis and treatment (operative and non operative, including endoluminal techniques and interventional procedures) of patients with disorder of the blood vessels (arteries and veins outside the heart and brain) and the lymphatic system. It also includes the management of trauma and surgical access to the vascular system.

Vocational training in New Zealand

Vocational training in vascular 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 vascular surgery.

Am I able to apply to work as a recognised specialist in New Zealand?

To apply for vocational registration in vascular 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 vascular surgery.

What standard will my training, qualifications and experience be compared against?

Recognised specialists in New Zealand must complete at least 5 years of advanced training (after obtaining general medical and surgical experience) and satisfy the requirements below:

  • 12 months of operative surgery in general
  • 4 years of specialty vascular surgical training in posts accredited by the RACS
  • carry out Direct Observation of Procedures (DOPS), Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises (Mini-CEX) and in-training assessments during their first year of training
  • before beginning their second year of training:
    • complete the Australian and New Zealand Surgical Skills Education and Training (ASSET) course
    • pass the generic surgical sciences and clinical examinations
  • complete Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient (CCrISP) and Early Management of Severe Trauma (EMST) courses before beginning their third year of training
  • pass the vascular anatomy and pathology examination before beginning their fifth year of training
  • attend the Trainee Skills Course every year during training
  • make one oral presentation and one poster presentation to the Australian and New Zealand Society of Vascular Surgeons or the RACS Annual Surgical Conference during training
  • publish one paper in a refereed medical journal
  • complete 100 hours of ultrasound scanning covering a variety of ultrasound examinations during training
  • perform at least 50 peripheral and 50 aortic endovascular procedures during training
  • complete a research project before sitting the Fellowship examination
  • maintain and regularly submit logbooks to their supervisor
  • pass the Fellowship examination when training is completed
  • participate in the RACS continuing professional development programme.

Once a trainee has successfully completed the examinations and training requirements they will be awarded the FRACS in vascular 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.

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.

  • Registration self assessment tool

    19 December 2023

    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.