Salary

Senior Medical Officers receive a base salary relative to their level of experience. This is agreed upon at the time of the job offer. There is a 15-step pay scale that SMOs continue to progress through on a yearly basis.

In New Zealand, the salary and benefits of some roles are determined by collective agreements between unions and employers. The full Senior Medical Officers collective agreement can be found on the Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora website here.

Additional allowances are paid on top of base salary and vary due to location and service and are often not specified in the collective agreement.

Allowances:

There are a range of additional allowances for:

• on-call

• evening, night and weekend work

• call back

• job size

• recruitment and retention

• special contribution

Leave:

• 6 weeks of paid annual leave

• A minimum of 10 days of sick leave per year

• 10 days of paid Continuing Medical Education Leave (CME), plus the ability to use annual leave tacked onto the end of your CME travel

• 6-12 months of parental leave depending on the length of service, including 6 weeks of fully paid parental leave

• 12 paid public holidays + time in lieu/alternative holiday if rostered on

• Long service leave + sabbatical opportunities

Additional benefits include: 

• Reimbursement of your registration and practising certificate fees.

• Your professional indemnity insurance is covered by Health NZ.

• A paid continuing professional development allowance.

• An annual Continuing Medical Education (CME) allowance of NZD $16,000 (pro-rated for part-time employees)

• If eligible, up to a 6% matching superannuation contribution from Health New Zealand as your employer.

• A relocation package for international candidates.

• Access to the latest technologies and diagnostic tools, enabling Radiologists to provide a high level of quality care. 

• Great balance: New Zealand is known for our work-life balance, and Radiologists can enjoy flexible hours to make the most of all the country has to offer.

Leadership and career development opportunities:

Radiologists at Health New Zealand are actively involved in the design, implementation and performance of cancer facilities and technology involved in the delivery of healthcare services to ensure an effective, efficient and safe workplace. 

Opportunities can include:  

• Support and encouragement for research and publications.
  

• Mentorship opportunities for apprentice Junior Doctors/Registrars.
  

• Regional and National networks allow for subspeciality research and practice. 
  

• Ongoing development and support for career growth with on-the-job coaching and a variety of in-house training programmes. 

In New Zealand, Radiologists primarily specialise in Diagnostic Radiology, with some Interventional Radiologists as well.

Diagnostic Radiologists

Primarily focussed on imaging interpretation and patient assessment to support accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, their primary responsibilities include:

Diagnostic Imaging

• Interpret various medical images, including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and PET scans, to diagnose diseases, injuries, and other conditions.

• Accurate image reading is crucial for guiding treatment decisions and informing clinical care.

Patient Assessment

• Review patient history and consult with other medical professionals to determine appropriate imaging studies.

• Ensure that each imaging procedure is safe and suitable for the patient’s specific condition.

Collaborative Consultation

• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, providing expert opinions on imaging results to aid in diagnosis and treatment.

• Participate in case discussions, offering insights that help inform complex medical decisions.

Quality Assurance and Safety

• Ensure high standards for imaging quality and safety. This includes calibrating equipment, implementing radiation protection protocols, and following best practices to minimise patient risk.

Education and Mentorship

• Contribute to the training of radiology residents, medical students, and healthcare professionals by delivering lectures, overseeing clinical training, and mentoring junior staff.

Research and Continuing Education

• Participate in clinical research to advance diagnostic imaging practices and improve patient care.

• Engage in continuous learning to stay updated on the latest imaging technologies and protocols.

Interventional Radiologists

Specialising in minimally invasive procedures guided by imaging technology, and providing therapeutic interventions often as alternatives to open surgery, their primary responsibilities include:

Interventional Procedures

• Perform image-guided procedures, such as biopsies, drainages, and the insertion of catheters, stents, or other medical devices. These minimally invasive treatments provide therapeutic options for patients and often reduce recovery time compared to traditional surgeries.

Patient Care and Procedure Preparation

• Review patient histories and assess whether interventional radiology is the best option. Explain procedures to patients, address their concerns, and obtain informed consent.

Collaborative Consultation

• Consult with referring doctors to determine the best approach for each case.

• Work closely with surgeons, oncologists, and other specialists to integrate interventional procedures into comprehensive care plans.

Safety and Quality Standards

• Maintain stringent safety protocols for interventional procedures. This includes ensuring equipment is correctly calibrated, minimising radiation exposure, and following sterile techniques to prevent infection.

Training and Mentoring

• Educate and train healthcare professionals, radiology residents, and students in interventional radiology techniques.

• Provide hands-on training and guidance in procedural and patient management skills.

Research and Development

• Engage in clinical research to advance interventional radiology practices, improve procedural techniques, and enhance patient outcomes.

• Stay informed on emerging interventional methods and innovations.

Both Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologists need to partake in:

Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

• All Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora employees are expected to have an understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) and be committed to implementing the principles within professional practice 

Administrative Duties

• Including managing radiology departments, developing policies, and implementing new technologies. Both diagnostic and interventional radiologists share a commitment to maintaining high standards in patient safety, quality of care, and continuous professional development.

Medical Qualification:

• You must hold a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB); or

• an overseas qualification that is assessed as equivalent to New Zealand standards by the MCNZ.

Registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ):

To apply for Vocational Registration in Radiology, you need either:

• the Fellowship with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (FRANZCR) qualification; or

• an international postgraduate medical qualification in Radiology, where your combination of qualifications, training and experience will be assessed against the standard of the FRANZCR.

  • More information on international medical graduates' registration pathways can be found in the 'Information for international candidates' section.

Annual Practising Certificate (APC):

• To practice as a Radiologist you must hold a valid Annual Practising Certificate (APC) with the MCNZ which is renewed annually.

• To maintain the APC, you must:

  • Provide evidence of ongoing competence.

  • Demonstrate participation in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities.

Desired experience:

• Solid experience of general and emergency imaging is preferable, but not essential.

• A subspecialist area of Nuclear Medicine is also welcomed.

To become a Diagnostic Radiologist, you will need to: 

• complete the Health Sciences First Year programme at the University of Otago or the first year of either the Bachelor of Health Sciences or Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science at the University of Auckland; and then

• complete a five-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree at Otago or Auckland University; and then

• work for two years as a house officer (supervised junior doctor) in a hospital; and then

• complete another six years as a registrar with specialist training and examinations to become a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.

Registering to work as a Radiologist in New Zealand:

To work as a Radiologist in New Zealand you will need to obtain Vocational Registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).

Pathways to Vocational Registration include:

1. Direct Pathway to Vocational Registration:

• If you are an International Medical Graduate (IMG) with specialist qualifications from countries with medical systems deemed equivalent to New Zealand’s (e.g., Australia, the UK, the USA, Canada, or some European countries), you may be eligible to apply directly for vocational registration without needing to first obtain general registration.

• In this pathway, the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) will assess your specialist qualifications, clinical experience, and the medical system where you trained. If these are deemed equivalent, you can apply directly for vocational registration in your specialty (such as Radiology).

• This pathway allows experienced specialists to bypass general registration and the provisional general phase, which is typically required for doctors without a recognised specialist qualification.

2. Provisional Vocational Registration Pathway

• If the MCNZ determines that your qualifications and experience are largely equivalent but that you need some orientation or assessment within the New Zealand healthcare system, you may be granted provisional vocational registration.

• This means you’ll practice in your specialty under supervision for a period, typically between 6-12 months, before being granted full vocational registration.

• During this provisional Vocational Registration period, a specialist who practises in the same area of medicine as you will supervise you. 

3. General Registration Pathway

• Some IMGs who do not meet the criteria for direct vocational registration may first need to obtain general registration if their qualifications and experience are not recognized as equivalent.

• This process to gain Vocational Registration includes:

  • A period of Provisional General Registration (with supervised practice) if necessary.

  • After obtaining General Registration, they can later apply for Vocational Registration once they have completed any further assessments or additional supervised practice required by the MCNZ.

Internationally qualified candidates

Titles may vary depending on the specific role, responsibilities, and the country in which the Radiologist is practising, however some alternative titles internationally could include

• Consultant Radiologist

• Interventional Radiologist

• Medical Imaging Specialist

• Radiology Consultant

• Diagnostic Imaging Consultant

• Diagnostic Radiologist

• Radiology Physician

• Imaging Consultant

• Radiology Specialist

• Clinical Radiologist