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Prior specialist training pathway

If you have completed your training in another speciality or country, you can apply for the Prior Specialist Pathway. This is an accelerated course of study for doctors who want to gain Fellowship of the Division of Rural Hospital Medicine.

Key application dates

Prior Specialist Pathway applications are open throughout the year with two cut-off dates, one in February and another in August.

The next cut-off date is 1 August 2024.


Apply to study

To apply to study through the Prior Specialist Training Pathway you need to:

  1. check you are eligible
  2. prepare your documentation
  3. complete your application form
  4. pay the $600 + GST application fee.

Before you complete your application form, please read the Prior Specialist Training application process for details on the documentation that you need to prepare.

Apply for the Prior Specialist Training Pathway

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Fees

Prior specialist training pathway application fee

$600.00 + GST

Fee for entry using a prior training pathway

Prior Specialist Pathway interview fee

$2060.00 + GST

Prior Specialist Pathway programme fee

$690.00 + GST

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Prior Specialist Pathway you must have:

  • general registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand, and
  • Fellowship in primary care, emergency medicine, or internal medicine, and
  • a qualification from either New Zealand, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, or United States of America, and
  • held your qualification for two or more years.

Application process

  • Step one: Check you are eligible

    You need to meet certain criteria before you can apply for the Prior Specialist Training Pathway. Read the eligibility criteria above.

  • Step two: Prepare your documentation

    You will need to provide the following documentation with your application form:

    • confirmation of New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency status
    • confirmation of your current MCNZ Practising Certificate confirmation of your
    • current New Zealand employment details a certified copy of your Fellowship (certificates can be certified either by a Justice of the Peace, the issuing organisation/education provider or by a Fellow of the Division)
    • any additional requirement as part of Prior Specialist Pathway application form.

  • Step three: Fill in your application form

    Prior Specialist Pathway applications are open throughout the year with two cut-off dates, one in February and another in August. Apply for the Prior Specialist Training Pathway

  • Step four: Pay your application fee

    You will need to pay a non-refundable application fee of $600 + GST.

  • Step five: Applications are reviewed

    An evaluator will assess your previous clinical and education experience against the entry requirements of the Rural Hospital Medicine Training Programme. This is to demonstrate that the study you have completed meets our standards. A summary of this evaluation will be sent to you.

  • Step six: Pay your interview fee

    If your application is successful, you will need to pay the non-refundable $2,000 + GST interview fee.

  • Step seven: Selection interview

    Successful applicants will be invited to a selection interview. The panel for the interview is usually made up of two clinical leads from the programme as well as a College employee, e.g., an education advisor. Interviews are usually done through a tool like Zoom. We aim to keep the interviews between 45-50 minutes. Successful applicants will be invited to a selection interview. The panel for the interview is usually made up of two clinical leads from the programme as well as a College employee, e.g., an education advisor. Interviews are usually done through a tool like Zoom. We aim to keep the interviews between 45-50 minutes.

  • Step eight: Begin your study

    If your application is successful, you will receive a formal letter of offer for a personalised pathway to Fellowship. This will outline individualised components required to be eligible to apply for Fellowship, and a time limit for completion. If you accept this offer, you can begin your pathway once the DRHM membership form is completed, and fee paid.

    See the DRHM Fellowship Pathway Regulations (section 6.2) for more information

Get in touch

If you have any questions about the application process, please email drhmnz@rnzcgp.org.nz