Medical Officer (Doctor)
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About the role Career progression and training Salary and benefits Entry requirementsNZDF health is tasked with maintaining, improving and restoring the health of the Defence Force in order to maintain the operational effectiveness of the NZDF.
- ServiceNavy
- SpecialisationMedical and Health
- LocationVarious
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Starting salary$203,464
About the role
To achieve the task, the NZDF Medical Officer is expected to provide high quality care to defence personnel at home, on exercise, and on operations.
The NZDF Medical Officer is a generalist with a diverse role that includes aspects of primary care, occupational medicine, sports/musculoskeletal medicine, expeditionary medicine, pre-hospital medicine and acute care. The NZDF Medical Officer will provide this care to NZDF personnel, as required, be it on land, at sea or in the air.
NZDF health is committed to providing opportunities to develop and maintain the skills and experience required to deliver this care. Individual services may provide opportunities to acquire specific occupational knowledge or skills including Dive Medicine and Aviation Medicine, however these are not exclusive to any particular service.
As the role of a Medical Officer is diverse, Medical Officers need to be prepared to work independently and as part of a team, depending on what the mission requires.
If you have referred to the minimum requirements below but would like more information on this role please email specialists@defencecareers.mil.nz
Career progression and training
Basic Training - JOCT
Job Training - Medical Officer
Ongoing Training
Career Progression
Junior Officer Common Training (JOCT)
(21 weeks) Location: Devonport Naval Base
The objective of JOCT is to provide you with the core skills of military, mariner, and leadership to be an effective Officer in the Navy. The course is completed in two phases of training that train key areas of development.
Phase 1 – Introduction
This phase focuses on ‘followership’ and teamwork. Trainees are instructed in basic service knowledge, discipline, parade, and kit preparation. Physical Training will be conducted at all times throughout training to develop a high level of physical and mental fitness that promotes morale, good health, and good habits. This phase will cover various topics including:
- Physical Fitness
- Service Knowledge
- Service Discipline
- Introduction to the Leadership Development Framework
- Damage Control Training
- Weapons Training
- First Aid
- Basic seamanship training
- Moving to advanced application
Phase 2 – Fit for Sea
The second phase of training will focus on attributes of being in the Navy in preparation for operational service at sea. Trainees will be taught about the roles and responsibilities on board an RNZN ship. Trainees will also spend time ashore conducting academic and leadership training to further develop as a Naval Officer. This phase will cover various topics including:
- Sea survival
- Ship familiarisation
- Leadership training
- Communications skills
- Defence and Strategic Studies
Training as a Medical Officer is developed case-by-case in consultation with the NZDF’s Chief Medical Officer and the senior Medical Officer at your local Defence Health Centre.
The training programme may consist of a combination of “on the job” experience, readings, completion of a series of prescribed tasks (a workbook), and discussions with other Defence Health professionals, to ensure you are familiar with Defence Force policies and systems.
After initial employment and training the Defence Force may provide funding and study leave for Medical Officers to complete further professional study. Options may include, but are not limited to:
- Early Management of Severe Trauma Course
- Sports Medicine Course/Diplomas
- Musculo-Skeletal Medicine Course
- Dive Medicine Course
- GPVTP Registrar (RNZCGP Supervised)
- RNZCGP Supervision and oversight post GPVTP part 1
- Tertiary study
As a Medical Officer in the Royal New Zealand Navy, you will be able to take your existing skills to the next level. The comprehensive training you will receive as an Officer will allow you to lead teams of people, in all kinds of situations.
You should be committed to providing high quality care to NZDF personnel at home and overseas, on exercises and on operations. You will sometimes be expected to work in diverse and challenging environments often in small multidisciplinary teams. Solid interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain strong teams will be a key attribute.
You should be adaptable enough in your clinical practise to work with confidence, often in austere environments on land, at sea or in the air. Health provision to defence is complex involving aspects of primary care, occupational medicine and emergency medicine. You should be willing to acquire and continually develop skills across this broad spectrum of experience.
Salary and benefits
Remuneration for Medical Officers is benchmarked against the DHB, with military factor and superannuation contribution (if joining a scheme) in addition. Candidates will be assessed individually for their starting remuneration step based on post graduate qualifications and experience. The figures below are only an indication of salary.
$203,464
Starting salary
$281,498
Future potential earnings
Starting figure provided for vocationally trained General Practitioners, updated on July 1st 2023
Benefits and allowances
Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.
In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:
Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
Opportunities to travel
Free and subsidised medical and dental care
Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
Free and subsidised insurance cover
Help to buy a home and save for retirement
Entry requirements
Basics
Education and Experience
Fitness and medical
Citizenship
Period of Service
- Registration with the NZ Medical Council
- Must have completed postgraduate year 2 (PGY2)
- Meet the citizenship and security requirements to gain SV security clearance for this trade
- Be free of any criminal conviction for the previous two years.
- Pass an Officer Selection Board.
Essential Requirements:
- Registration with the NZ Medical Council
- Must have completed postgraduate year 2 (PGY2)
Desirable qualifications and experiences:
- Experience in the delivery of primary care,
- Vocational qualification and registration in a primary healthcare speciality (general practice, acute care and occupational health),
- Clinical experience in pre-hospital emergency care (PHEC),
- Experience in sports and exercise medicine,
- Experience in occupational health.
Applicants would also benefit from experience in small multidisciplinary teams, austere or expeditionary medicine, and/or previous military service.
- You must be medically fit for service.
- You must meet the minimum entry fitness standards.
- Colour perception restrictions may apply.
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the SV security clearance required for this trade. You must be free of any criminal convictions for the previous two years.
There may be a return of service period for this trade.
Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Experience Facilitator for more information.
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