Articles and tips to help you advance your medical career

Career

Choosing a medical specialty is an important step in your career as a doctor. 

The experiences you have as a House Officer will influence your medical specialty choice. Some young doctors can choose the future of their career based on these early experiences, but for many, the decision is not so straightforward. 

If you’re choosing a medical specialty for the first time or are making a mid-career change, here are four tips to follow to choose your medical specialty. 

## #1 Start with some desk-based research
There’s a huge range of medical specialties and each specialty can vary depending on where you work if you go into clinical or research-based work and the hospital or location you work in. While you’ll gain experience in some of the main specialties during training, you won’t experience them all. This is why it is important to gather information on the many specialty options and their training pathways.

Get ‘insider’ information by reading [blog posts](https://medrecruit.medworld.com/articles/category/our-doctors) and articles written by individuals in your favoured specialty. Try psychometric testing (like the UK’s Sci59) to see which specialties match your personality. Look at the pros and cons, research salary information and [employment opportunities](https://medrecruit.medworld.com/jobs). 

## #2 Understand your work and lifestyle goals 
Take a holistic approach to think about what you want in your career and life outside of work. Ask yourself: 
-	What do I want to get out of my career in medicine? 
-	What are my values and beliefs? 
-	What kind of environment do I want to work in? 
-	Where do I want to live?
-	What kind of lifestyle do I want to lead in the short and long term? 
-	What do I enjoy doing – both at work and outside of work? 
Look at your answers to these questions and think about what is most important to you. Then go back to your research on your chosen specialties and look at where you’ll have to compromise and what you’ll gain in each specialty. Is there one that stands out, with the fewest compromises and the most gains? 

## #3 Remember you can change your chosen specialty 
Choosing a specialty that you’ll work in for the next three decades can be a daunting task.

When choosing your specialty, try to think about the long and short term. Find a balance between planning for your future and following your passions today. But it’s also important to remember that life changes – and you will change – over time. What suits you today may not suit you in ten years and that’s okay. 

It is not unusual to change specialties later in life. While it is a good idea to do as much research as possible and to choose carefully, don’t worry that you’ll be tied to this choice forever. Many doctors find that their experiences, skills, and education in one specialty can significantly help them in another specialty later in life. [Read Dr Sneha’s story](https://medrecruit.medworld.com/articles/rural-general-practitioners-rule ); she found her experience in general surgery helped her become a great rural GP – a specialty she loves. 

## #4 Gain experience in different medical specialties 
Locuming is a great way to gain experience across different specialties, hospitals, clinics and locations. Medical school can feel like a conveyor belt, and many young doctors feel pushed into choosing a specialty quickly to start further training as soon as possible. Know that you don't have to do that. 

We’ve worked with many doctors who have taken a year off to locum before embarking on a full-time training position in their chosen specialty. Locuming allowed them to discover new locations and ways of working. Some met fantastic mentors, discovered exciting factions of specialties they didn’t know about and great lifestyles they didn’t know were possible in medicine. 


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If you’re choosing a medical specialty for the first time or are making a mid-career change, here are four tips to follow to choose your medical specialty. 

Four tips for choosing your medical specialty | Medrecruit 

Four tips for choosing your medical specialty 

Stories and inspiration from exceptional doctors

Our Doctors

After passing his exams for general surgery, Dr Albert Wu came to a surprising – and life-changing – conclusion:  he didn't want to be a surgeon. 

He wanted to make a difference differently, and Medrecruit were there to help.

## Hitting a career crossroads

"I felt by passing the exam I'd proved something. But if I had the experience again, I probably would have considered getting out of it a bit earlier."

"In my head, there was always the importance of having that balance in terms of lifestyle." 

"I wasn't sure I would find that in the surgical specialty. It takes a special kind of dedication. So, I decided to start again basically."

## Finding a new challenge in General Practice

After talking with a range of doctors in different specialties, Albert settled General Practice as his new specialty.

"There many factors involved, but essentially it was the work/life balance.

"I also have always respected this specialty as one of the most difficult ones. You have very limited time and information to make those judgment calls. And, if you miss something, it can be quite devastating."

## Creating a new career pathway 

With a new direction in mind, Albert needed to get into a GP training programme, and that's when he contacted Medrecruit. 

"I was missing the necessary paediatric and obstetric gynaecological type training to apply to the programme,

"That's when I caught up with Medrecruit, and they got me a role in Waikato,

"I think Medrecruit has that ability to find that kind of thing for you and support you, which is really fantastic."

## More change in the future

Now in his final year of GP training, Albert is also studying an MBA part-time at Auckland University.

"I'm thinking about transitioning out of clinical to do something more on the management side. I'm doing an MBA, so I can hopefully make a difference on a bigger scale. 

"I'm not really sure how big of an impact I can have, but I want to ensure that there is a better clinical practice environment.

"I'd like to work in between clinical and management, and be an advocate the health professionals perspective, and greater collaboration."


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Surgical exams to re-examining life goals |Medrecruit

Surgical exams to re-examining life goals: Dr Albert Wu's story

If you’re new to locuming, or are about to apply for a new medical role, there are a few things that you need to know about the paperwork involved. 

First, it exists. 

Second, you have to do it. 

(Sorry).
	
## Why you’ll need to do some paperwork to apply for medical roles

Essential paperwork requirements for medical roles have been developed over the years, some in reaction to cases like this woman {LINK: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/19/thousands-of-doctors-under-scrutiny-after-fake-qualifications-case }, who practised medicine in the UK for 22 years with fake qualifications. Not cool. 

As a medical recruitment agency {LINK: /articles/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-working-with-a-medical-recruitment-agency}, Medrecruit has a legal, contractual and social obligation to make sure that you are who you say you are. Our guidelines come from governments, DHBs and hospitals. We make sure you have all your essential paperwork completed before you start your new medical role so there’s less hassle for you down the track. 

Medrecruit Placement and Credentialing Team Leader Stacey Elstob says paperwork is an essential part of applying for any medical role. 

“We know paperwork is a pain – we’re not asking for fun! But it is a requirement of all hospitals. You can’t start work without having done the essential paperwork. 

“You do occasionally hear of someone stealing a doctor’s identity or posing as a doctor. You don’t want to be that fake doctor’s patient and you don’t want to be the doctor working with that person either. So, we and the hospitals ask for the essential paperwork to make sure that you are who you say you are – a competent, qualified doctor {LINK: /articles/how-to-write-the-perfect-medical-cv}.” 

Another reason for the paperwork is to protect you. From immunisation checks to indemnity insurance, these documents make sure you and the hospital are pre-prepared for any unexpected events. 

## When you should start your essential paperwork 

Start your paperwork sooner rather than later. Why? Some items might take longer than expected, for example, police checks for medical roles can be returned in two hours, but some take as long as twenty working days. 

“We ask for all the credentialing to be done in advance of placements,” says Stacey. 

“It has to be done regardless and we ask in advance because you really don’t want to be doing your paperwork at the last moment, when you’re preparing to travel. It’s easier for you to get it done early. We’ve also noticed it’s becoming more common for hospitals to ask for all this stuff in advance.

“It is a requirement and in most cases, you can’t walk into the hospital without it. Some of the paperwork and orientation documents (like the eMedical courses) help to orientate you to the hospital’s computer systems, so you can hit the ground running when you start your placement.” 


## A doctor’s essential paperwork checklist 

Whether you use an agency or apply yourself, there’s a checklist of essential paperwork you’ll need to complete before applying for any medical role in Australia or New Zealand. This is true for permanent and locum roles. The checklist varies slightly as some regions and states have different requirements (for example, New South Wales and Queensland). 

The first documents you’ll need to supply are your: 
•	Up-to-date CV
•	References

You’ll then need to supply: 
•	Certified ID 
•	Police check/criminal history check (give yourself plenty of time to apply for this)
•	Medical degree and Fellowship documents 
•	Work visa (if applicable)

Other documents you may need (depending on your role):
•	Practicing Certificate (New Zealand doctors)
•	Working with children check
•	International police check (if you have worked overseas)
•	Medicare documents, like your prescriber number (Australia) 
•	Australian Business Number 

## Medical roles in New South Wales and Queensland

Different areas across Australia and New Zealand have different rules and requirements for medical roles. News South Wales and Queensland have required document lists that may appear eye-popping-ly long at first. Sate-specific documents such as history check consents, clinical skills self-assessment and locum declaration forms will need to be completed before starting work. 

In some states, you may need to complete orientation training. New South Wales requires all doctors to complete eMedical orientation training – this can be done online from home and takes around six hours. 

## The good news about paperwork

We’re here for you. All doctors need to complete this paperwork before starting work at a new hospital, clinic, or region. But when you work with us, you’ve got a specialist team to help you who have been here before with hundreds of other doctors. 

So, if you’re busting out your supporting immunisation documentation the morning after a night shift, you’ve got a team who’ll make sure you’re filling out all the right forms. We can’t do the paperwork for you, but we will supply you with a comprehensive checklist tailored to your grade and speciality, where you want to work and what you want to do {LINK: /articles/thanks-covid-19-what-happens-when-the-bucket-list-goes-bust}. 
	
Ready to get started? 


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The essential paperwork you need to complete to apply for medical roles and why it’s so important.

Paperwork essentials: what you need to know about applying for medical roles | Medrecruit 

Paperwork essentials: what you need to know about applying for medical roles

Good communication skills are some of the most important skills you need to be a doctor. Communication between the doctor and patient can have a significant impact on health outcomes, yet advanced communications training isn’t offered at med school. 

Interpersonal communication, verbal or non-verbal, is integral for the development of a meaningful relationship between the doctor and patient. It’s something that you’ll often learn on the job – but if there’s few examples of exemplary doctor communication skills in your day-to-day work, it’s a hard skill to nurture. 

Research shows that despite the fact that a patient-physician consultation is the most widely performed 'procedure' in a physician's professional lifetime, “effective communication with the patient has been found to be sadly lacking.” {LINK: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20099777/ } 

Why communication skills are important for doctors

Advanced communication skills enable you to gain a clear understanding of a patient’s needs, develop good doctor-patient rapport and instil trust. 

This can help you: 

•	Deliver a positive patient experience 
•	Improve compliance with medication or treatment
•	Better interact with ‘difficult’ patients and reduce conflict
•	Reduce mistakes and misunderstandings, and increase team productivity
•	Increase job satisfaction

Six tips for better communication between doctors and patients

1.	When building up a rapport with a patient, don’t give up if things don’t go well at first – first impressions are important, but you do get a second (or third chance)!

2.	Be realistic with your communications goals. Be patient, yet motivated to create small changes. For example, if a patient needs to lose weight, instead of talking about their stroke risk – ask them how they can incorporate a little more exercise into their day-to-day.   

3.	Remember that communication isn’t just about words – your body language and facial expressions are important too. Share meaningful eye contact, take time to listen and try not to cross your arms as this can appear ‘closed off’. 

4.	Have respect for cultural differences and if you’re in a permanent placement, try to learn more about the cultures in your local community. Approaching a difficult topic with a patient from their perspective can help health outcomes and increase compliance with care and treatment. 

5.	Be mindful of your use of technical medical jargon and acronyms. Good communicators seek to understand and be understood. 

6.	Include your patients on the journey. Explore care options with them and simply describe the steps or thought processes you’re taking to get them the care or treatment they need. 


Communication skills are vitally important to the doctor patient relationship. Good communication is a key part of your role as a doctor, but with continual development and mindfulness on this topic, you’ll find patient outcomes are improved and you and your team are more productive. 


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Good communication skills are some of the most important skills you need to be a doctor. Here’s how you can improve. 

Six tips for better communication between doctors and patients | Medrecruit 

Six tips for better communication between doctors and patients

Writing a medical CV is different to writing a CV for other types of jobs. With over 15 years of experience in the [medical recruitment ](/articles/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-working-with-a-medical-recruitment-agency)business and going through a gazillion CVs, we know what goes into crafting medical CVs that work, both for you the doctor and the hiring manager.
 
We’ve complied this experience and expertise to create a [medical CV template](/doctors/resources). 
 
You may already have a CV, but its style, length and content may be quite different from CVs that hiring managers in hospitals and clinics across Australia and New Zealand are looking for. As Australasia’s largest medical recruitment company, we get sent through hundreds of CVs a month and based on our extensive relationships with hospitals and practices, know what their hiring managers are looking for.
 
## Doctor CV must-dos
When applying for doctor jobs, it’s imperative you list your qualifications, clinical experience and research. A good CV should be clear, concise and it should demonstrate that you have the requisite skills and qualifications for the medical role you’re applying for.
 
**Make sure that you include the following**
- Contact details

- Your medical qualifications

- Dates on qualifications and employment
- Any gaps in work or practice history
 
## CV length
In terms of length, five or six pages is a good rule of thumb but if you have lots of skills and experience specifically relevant to the particular role you’re applying for, it may be longer. The person tasked with shortlisting candidates for a doctor job may spend as little as two minutes reviewing each CV before deciding. You need to make it easy for them to find the information they need to put you in that all-important shortlist. You’ll have the opportunity to elaborate in the interview.

## How to make your medical CV standout
We can all agree that updating your CV can be a pain but the key thing to remember is that you don’t want to miss out on your ideal job just because you don’t provide the paperwork.

[Download our Doctor CV Template](/doctors/resources) to make the job easier and stand out from the crowd. 

The template is the same one we use save our candidates’ time and help them secure the best roles and salaries across Australia and New Zealand. It’s free to download and will be sent straight to your email inbox. 



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Writing a medical CV to apply for doctors jobs is very different to writing a CV for other kind of jobs. Here’s how to write the perfect doctor CV. 

How to write the perfect medical CV | Medrecruit

How to write the perfect medical CV

As a psychiatrist you have never been more in demand. [Health Workforce Australia](http://www.rhwa.org.au/home) has predicted that the nation will face a critical shortage of around 450 psychiatrists by the year 2025. Fewer medical students are choosing to specialise in Psychiatry, and without recruiting overseas doctors, this figure could double. 
 
The word psychiatry invokes thoughts of the early 1900s: Freud and frontal lobotomies. However, alongside its medical counterparts, psychiatry has advanced somewhat in the last 30 years. Psychiatrists incorporate neurological research to treat patients with diagnosable mental disorders. 
 
The demise in medical students choosing psychiatry has been attributed to the public opinion that [psychiatric research](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-roving-psychologist/201109/has-psychiatry-been-corrupted-beyond-repair) is funded by the pharmaceutical industry. However, the reality is, this isn’t the case only for psychiatry. Most medical research is funded by pharmaceutical companies, and this shouldn’t put you off joining a thriving medical field with so many benefits. 
 
## Why Specialise in Psychiatry? 
 
### Money 
Psychiatry is among the best [financially rewarded](/articles/highest-paying-doctor-jobs-in-australia-medrecruit) careers, with salaries of up to $445K. Meaning you will earn more than many of your medical colleagues; and working in one of the top 10 highest-earning jobs in Australasia. 
 
### Travel 
Psychiatrists are in demand all over the world. Specialising in psychiatry will open up a whole world of opportunity to live and train overseas. 
 
New initiatives, such as telepsychiatry, mean that psychiatric services can be provided remotely. Australia and New Zealand have been international leaders in applying this initiative. Therefore you are in a great place to make a difference to the profession. 
 
### Work/life balance 
You will work close to business hours. If you are currently working shifts as a junior doctor and hating every second, General Practice is not your only option. 
 
In the private sector, psychiatrists often dictate their own hours. This means maintaining an [enjoyable work/life balance](/articles/making-a-difference-to-doctors-wellbeing), while still earning an attractive salary. 
 
### Opportunity 
Technology in Psychiatry is advancing every day. While some believe psychiatrists have become ‘pill pushers’, the reality is that we are in a very exciting era of neuroscience. Our understanding of how the brain works is more advanced now than ever before. With the ever-increasing demand from mental health, the RACP (Royal Australasian College of Psychiatrists) believes this will continue to develop. 
 
There is also the opportunity to work with Australian Indigenous, and New Zealand Maori and Pacific Islanders – incorporating traditional models between cultures. 
 
### Increase in mental health issues and awareness 
The modern stressors of today’s society: the economy, threats of terrorism, and the breakdown of families, are causing more and more mental health issues. 
 
Research is emerging which shows mental health is at the core of many medical issues. As a doctor, psychiatry is one of the main areas with a wealth of opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of your patients. 
  
**So, what’s stopping you from working in a profession in which you could practice all over the world, earn up to $445K per year, and make remarkable medical advancements?  **

 
 

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As a psychiatrist you have never been in more demand. But with fewer medical students opting to specialise in psychiatry, is the field in danger of dying out? 

Is psychiatry a dying field? | Medrecruit

Is psychiatry a dying field?

Medrecruit news, events, and other important things happening in the medical world 

News and Events

Healthcare staffing is a challenge. Some hospitals and GP clinics spend months searching for the ideal candidates to fill their vacancies. Is using a medical recruitment agency the answer?
 
MedRecruit’s Business Development Manager, Maxine Monroe says it is.
 
Max says she’s been on the “other side of recruitment agencies” before, when she worked in a different industry and was looking for staff to join her team. She says some businesses in the wider industry give recruitment a bad name, but not all agencies are created equal.
 
“We’re easy to work with and our team are [good quality recruiters](/employers) – they’re not like recruiters I have worked with in the past,” says Max.
 
## Working with a medical recruitment agency
Medrecruit was founded by [Dr Sam Hazledine back in 2006](/about-us), in response to finding that some of his colleagues were leaving the healthcare industry because they were [burnt out](/articles/why-being-a-doctor-is-a-stressful-job) and disillusioned with medicine. We’ve since grown into one of the largest medical recruitment agencies in Australasia. Max says this is down to the Medrecruit team’s dedication to both doctors and clients – the hospitals and clinics across New Zealand and Australia.
 
“One of the issues is that hospitals and clinics are often bombarded with low-calibre presentations,” says Max.
 
“The presentation itself might be unclear – especially if a hospital has a few vacancies at that time. They might have to go back and forth through the CV, the presentations, and to check if the doctor is available for those dates… it can be a bit of a nightmare. Medrecruit doesn’t do that. We want to earn our fee!”
 
“First up, I want to make life easy for you. I appreciate what your day looks like. All the presentations I will send are for work-ready doctors. There’s no delay or need to chase paperwork. They’re work-ready and fully credentialed.
 
“Then – and I know this sounds like a really tiny thing, but I know it makes a difference – every presentation is really clear: the doctors name, what shifts they’re available for, are they a returning doctor… it’s simple, but it’s something we regularly make sure we’re doing because we know it makes a difference for our clients. We want to make it as easy as possible for them.
 
“Throughout the process, there’s usually only one point of contact with us, to make things simpler for our client.”
 
## A preferred panel provider
Medrecruit is a preferred panel provider, where this system is in place, right across Australia. Max says Medrecruit is among the top recruitment agencies in terms of service to its clients.
 
We have a large pool of doctors who have been through a strict credentialing process. A Solutions Specialist works with them to ensure that  each doctor’s CV is up-to-date, their references are ready, and checks the dates they’re available to work.
 
“The difference between us and some of the other agencies? It’s the work our Solutions Specialists do – all that work ready stuff. This is where we make a difference up front.
 
“Before we send a doctor to a client, we’ve done a lot of work. The hospitals pay us so we make sure we earn our fee, we make sure we learn what our clients need and we make sure we’re meeting those expectations.
 
“Our clients trust us and they know that we have credibility. That’s how we have landed our preferred supplier agreements. They choose us because we do what we’re getting paid to do – we do our due diligence and we don’t cut any corners.”
 
## Making medical recruitment easy for hospitals
Another advantage to clinics and hospitals looking for healthcare recruitment support is Medrecruit’s placement specialist team. It’s their job to ensure that the doctor has everything they need to start work and that the process is smooth.
 
“Sometimes we are fighting against that reputation of the recruitment industry. We show that we’re so much better than that. We’re not transactional. It’s not simply: ‘here’s a doctor’. We’re so much more.
 
“We take an enduring look at a relationship, we want to add value wherever we can. We love what we do and we’re here to help.”



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As the hiring manager for a busy hospital or GP clinic, how do you find great doctors, fast? Maxine Monroe explains how Medrecruit does it differently. 

Hospitals and clinics: why work with a recruitment agency? | Medrecruit

Hospitals and clinics: why work with a recruitment agency? 

Some say switching medical specialties is taking a ‘sideways step’, but the truth is that you’ll never lose the skills and experience you’ve developed so far in your [medical career journey](https://medrecruit.medworld.com/articles/four-tips-for-choosing-your-medical-specialty). 

Two and a half years into a radiology training programme, Dr Cham Ariyasinghe decided to switch medical specialties because “I didn’t love it as much as I should and I felt like I was struggling to commit to it”. 

He took up locuming in 2019 to explore the possibilities in different medical specialties. He didn’t expect to end up working on the frontline of a pandemic – but he’s found a lot to be inspired by in his new role. 	

## Using locuming to switch medical specialties 
“Locuming was a means to an end, to explore different options before I decided on what I wanted to do. I was one of those people in med school who generally liked everything but I pigeonholed myself into doing radiology early on during my internship and I didn’t explore other specialities. I think locuming has been a really good opportunity to do that. 

“Plus, it’s been six or seven years of my personal life, to work and not take holidays and put everything on the back burner. I knew I wanted to take some chunks out of my life to do what I wanted to do. So, I took two months out last year to go to Europe and hang out with some friends, see some shows and explore a lot of Eastern Europe. 

“It was nice to have that time and to take that pressure off for a little while.” 

## Finding a new interest in medicine 
With the pressure off, Dr Cham had more time to think about his other interests and he decided to apply for a position with MSF (Doctors Without Borders). 

“MSF only came about because I had that time to think. You can’t really be a radiologist without borders… there’s not a lot of aid work you can do! Locuming was a really good way to explore different areas of medicine without committing to one thing.”  

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit Australia, Dr Cham took up a locum registrar position on the frontline in Wodonga, a Victoria/ New South Wales border town. This cemented his interest in outbreak medicine and helped him realise he’d made the right choice.   

## Making the right specialty choice 
“I think there’s increasing pressure on junior doctors to really have to know what they want to specialise in early on and I think the reality is, we don’t all make the right choice. Sometimes you just need to explore yourself and explore your options. If you aren’t in a rush to get anywhere, [locuming](https://medrecruit.medworld.com/articles/tips-for-locuming-full-time-from-a-doctor-who-s-done-it-medrecruit ) is one of the best deals because you choose your hours, you’re flexible. You choose where and what nature of work you want to do and you learn more about yourself. 

“I don't think people hang around in medicine for a long time if they’re not inspired by medicine in some way and I think they get disillusioned by a career in medicine after some time. I think I was in that boat. Especially when I was leaving radiology, I thought about leaving medicine altogether. 

“The problem was that there were so many areas that I loved. Being a medical registrar and dealing with complex problems like this Covid-19 job has opened things up for me. Locuming is not for everyone but it has been really good for me. It is a really interesting way to mould your career for a time and I think that should be reiterated especially to junior doctors.” 


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Dr Cham Ariyasinghe took up locuming to explore the possibilities in different medical specialties.

Switching medical specialties | Medrecruit

Switching medical specialties

You’ve looked through the doctor jobs listings and you’ve scored an interview for a great RMO or registrar position at a hospital you’d love to work for. Congratulations! The job is (almost) yours. But first, you’ve got to run the gauntlet of the RMO interview questions.  
  
It’s your chance to stand out from the crowd and get your ideal medical job, but RMO job interviews can have tricky questions. It’s up to you to field the strange (“If you were an animal, what would you be?”) and the not-as-simple-as-it-sounds (“What are your weaknesses?”). 
  
Though both [Australia](/doctors/working-in-australia) and [New Zealand](/doctors/working-in-nz) are known for being laid-back, it’d be a mistake to think that doctor job interviews here are a casual affair. As with any interview, it’s important you dress to impress and thoroughly prepare for your interview. Find out what the hospital or clinic is known for, its specialities and any notable facilities. 
  
## Common RMO and registrar job interview questions 
 
- Why do you want to work here?  
- Tell us about your ability to work under pressure 
- What field experience do you have for a Resident Medical Officer/Registrar position?  
- Describe an error you’ve made and what you did to fix it 

A common question is “Why do you want to work here?” – you’ll only be able to answer this question satisfactorily if you know a good deal about the hospital and the surrounding area. Talk about the features that attracted you to the role: perhaps it is the hospital’s state-of-the-art equipment or the clinic’s close-knit community. Avoid being negative – if you hate your current role, keep it to yourself. Negativity is a red flag for interviewers as a miserable attitude doesn’t always disappear with a change of scene. 
  
With weird and whacky questions, the key is to use it as an opportunity to showcase your skillset or tell an anecdote demonstrating your personal attributes. If you’re asked what kind of animal you’d be, liken the animal you choose to your personality. Owls are thoughtful, bees are hard workers and crows have great problem-solving abilities. With questions like these, it’s all about the explanation – you’re not being judged on your zoology knowledge. 
  
Similarly, when you’re asked to describe your responsibilities in your previous role, interviewers don’t want a list of what was on your CV (they’ve read that already). Flesh out your answers with anecdotes and use it as an opportunity to showcase your personal attributes. 
 
## Medical interview top tips 
 
- Dress to impress and be on time  
- Be positive (even if you hate your current role)  
- Do background research on the job, hospital or clinic and location  
- Describe why you’re right for the role and use anecdotes to back-up what’s on your [medical CV](/doctors/resources) 
- Don’t forget to address any key skills or points outlined in the job description 

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You’ve searched the doctor job listings and you’ve scored an interview. Congratulations! But first, you’ve got to run the gauntlet of the interview…  

How to ace interview questions for RMO and registrar jobs | Medrecruit

How to ace interview questions for RMO and registrar jobs

Inspiration and information about moving to Australia or New Zealand as a doctor 

Moving to Australia or New Zealand

Moving to AU/NZ

British and Irish trained GPs are in demand across both Australia and New Zealand – but what’s driving the trend? 
  
Working as a doctor overseas is a lifestyle many physicians never regret. The opportunity to live and work in another country broadens horizons and develops medical skills. For British and Irish doctors, Australia and [New Zealand](/articles/moving-to-new-zealand-after-covid-19) are popular choices – the lifestyle ‘down under’ regularly ranks among the [best in the OECD](http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/#/11111111111) and the health systems are comparative. Another reason many doctors consider working in Australia and New Zealand is that British and Irish doctors are in demand. 
  
## What’s driving the trend? 
Both countries currently have a shortage of doctors, particularly in rural areas. Shortages in a number of specialities fluctuate, but typically, qualified and experienced doctors from health systems like the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and Ireland’s Health Service Executive/Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte (HSE) can find good employment opportunities. This is because the health systems and qualifications between the four countries are broadly similar, so it is easier for governing bodies to ensure training requirements and other essential standards have been met (for a brief explanation of pathways, read this post). 
  
It’s general practitioners who are most in demand. In New Zealand, the Royal College of GPs conducted a general practice workforce study which highlighted that 34% of GPs (excluding registrars) intend to retire within five years and 57% within the next 10 years. More than half of GPs in New Zealand are more than 52 years old. International medical graduates are essential in filling this looming gap, particularly in New Zealand’s scenic rural towns and regions; currently, 46% of rural GPs in New Zealand trained overseas. 
  
In Australia, experts have suggested that general practice has been less popular with medical students and young doctors in recent years. The Australian Medical Association’s president, Dr Tony Bartone expressed concern in a July 2019 media release that GP training places were going unfilled: “Since 2015, we have seen a 20 per cent fall in the number of applications for GP training, and a six per cent drop in the number of first year GP training posts filled,” he said. Again, it’s [rural areas](/articles/dr-henry-kurtze-s-experience-as-a-locum-in-rural-australia) where the shortage is more obvious – some have suggested that outmoded stereotypes of rural GP work linger and that there’s not enough training programmes based in rural areas to help dispel the myths. However, a first-of-its-kind [national-scale study](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ajr.12577) published in October 2019 reported that rural junior doctors were significantly more satisfied with their work-life balance than their metropolitan counterparts. 
  
## Great general practitioners will always be in demand  
Both the Australian and New Zealand governments have announced initiatives to increase the number of locally trained doctors, as well as incentives to encourage new doctors to stay in general practice by improving remuneration and benefits. However, the issue isn’t new and Australia and New Zealand certainly aren’t the only countries to report shortages within their health systems. As population numbers grow and life expectancy increases around the world, good doctors will always be in demand. 
  
Medical recruitment agencies like Medrecruit exist to help match great doctors seeking new experiences with doctor job vacancies. [Better work-life balance](/articles/lifestyle-of-doctors-in-the-uk-vs-nz) and career advancement are just some of the reasons British and Irish doctors we’ve worked with have moved to Australia or New Zealand. 
 

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Find out what is driving the demand for British and Irish GPs in Australia and New Zealand

Why are British and Irish GPs are in demand in Australia and New Zealand? | Medrecruit   

Why are British and Irish GPs are in demand in Australia and New Zealand? 

## Are you making any of the top mistakes doctors make when arranging a reference? 
 
When applying for your next medical permanent or locum role, you’ll need to gather [references from colleagues and supervisors](/articles/how-to-get-great-references-for-doctor-jobs). Medrecruit’s credentialing specialists say that many doctors don’t realise how important references are for placements to go ahead smoothly. 

“Getting your references are not just about ticking a box,” says credentialing specialist Abby Strickland. 

“Hospitals are very strict with references… it’s someone’s life at the end of the day. References are a really important part of getting [presented for a job](/articles/how-to-ace-interview-questions-for-rmo-and-registrar-jobs), so you need to get the best references you can.” 

A [medical recruitment agency](/articles/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-working-with-a-medical-recruitment-agency) like Medrecruit will assist doctors who are applying for doctor jobs in completing the required paperwork; references are a big part of this. Your solutions specialist will work together with your credentialing specialist to make sure that all requirements are met. Whilst they’ll work hard to take the pain out of the paperwork, the specialists say that there’s a few key things many doctors get wrong that can draw out the placement process. 

### Getting medical references: an overview 

– Try to get three references, with at least one from a supervisor and at least two from the past 12 months 

– Ask your chosen referees if they’re happy to be contacted, when they’d like to be contacted and how 

– Provide as many accurate details as possible about yourself and your former placements 

## Provide relevant referees 

There’s different rules across Australia and New Zealand, so our specialists recommend erring on the side of caution when selecting your referees. In many areas, you’ll need three references, ideally from doctors you have worked with within the last 12 months. 

Credentialing Specialist Rachel Gowdy says where you’re applying for work and the kind of placement you’re applying for will also affect who you need to obtain a reference from. 

“If you want to work in Australia, you’re going to need three references. New South Wales is the most strict, they require three references and at least one has to be within the last 12 months… it’s up to the hospital’s discretion as to when the other two are from but ideally, all three references will be from the last 12 months and at least one will be from a supervisor. 

“It also depends on what kind of job you’re applying for. For example, to be presented for a paediatrics role, you’ll need at least one reference from that field.” 

It can vary, but senior doctors generally only need two references and these can be from a colleague (rather than a supervisor or chief). 

Whomever you choose, you’ll need to have worked with that person for a reasonable length of time and ideally, they will have observed you in clinical practice. 

## Make sure you provide accurate information  

Our experts say that one of the most common mistakes doctors make is providing insufficient or inaccurate details. This includes precisely when you worked with your chosen reference and the correct contact details of your referee. 

“References have to be up-to-date and they have to match. We recently got one back where the doctor had said they’d worked mid-August to January, but the referee said it was September to January. We had to go back and forth to ensure they matched – the Medical Council of New Zealand is very strict and they will not accept a discrepancy, even if it’s just two weeks. 

“I recommend that you talk to your referee to ensure your dates are specific – if there’s a lot of back-and-forth it can really make it a long process!” Says Rachel. 

The issue can sometimes arise when a referee has worked with multiple junior doctors, so dates get muddled. This brings us to another, surprisingly common mistake: 

## Don’t forget to tell your chosen referee 

Our specialists say that doctors not informing their supervisors or other chosen referees is a very common mistake that can cause headaches of all shapes and sizes. 

“Definitely make sure that you’re telling your referee that you’re putting them forward,” says Abby. 

“Most don’t! And they should really. If we’re phoning them mid-shift and they’re not expecting a call from us, they’re probably not going to give us a reference, but if they are expecting our call and we organise a time then you’re more likely to get a reference.” 

Abby adds that another good tip is to provide as much detail as you can about your references – their job title and position, and even when and how they’d prefer to be contacted. 

“It’s more professional to be able to phone their reference with all of that information. If the doctor can give us as much information as possible then it helps – it makes it faster too. The referee can just confirm. 

“If the doctor could give us the right contact details for their referee that would give us a quicker turn around as well. Mobile numbers, an email address… some hate phone contact and if you phone them, they get really, really annoyed and ask for email only contact – and that’s fine! It would just help to know so that we could email them instead of annoying them on the phone – or going through the switch to catch them at a bad time mid-shift.” 

## Don’t hide information 

Some doctors try to hide or omit important information thinking that it will improve their chances of getting a placement, when in fact, the opposite is true. If you’ve had an argument with a colleague or something has happened which may affect your ability to work, you should tell your solutions specialist upfront. 

“Sometimes doctors don’t disclose important information to their solutions specialist,” says Rachel. 

“For example, they’ve had an argument with a colleague or they’re going for an eye operation next month. These details always come out in the references. There’s a lot of legal obligations in providing a reference so these things are always going to come out. Things we might be able to manage if we know from the onset. Be as transparent as possible!” 


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Top tips from our credentialling experts on how to get references for your next medical role and why it’s so important.  

Organising references for medical roles: are you doing it right? | Medrecruit 

Organising references for medical roles: are you doing it right?

> It takes somebody special  
Like me, baby  
To make me say, “I do”  
And, baby, you’ve got what it takes

*– Dinah Washington, Baby (You’ve Got What it Takes)* 

Do you have what it takes to become a urologist in Australia or New Zealand? Urology is a highly specialist field, combining a cross-section of skills and attributes. If you’re that special someone who says “I do” to urology, you’ll need to undertake a residency of around five years – this is a little longer than the average residency so it’s important to think about your aptitude for the role before you take on this commitment. 
 
If you’re interested in this specialty, you need to have a keen interest in developing and refining your knowledge and abilities in line with the role of the urologist. 
  
## What it takes to become a urologist in Australia or New Zealand 
 
- **Manual dexterity** – You’ll need to develop manual dexterity and excellent hand-to-eye co-ordination to complete complex operations. 

- **Good eyesight **– Unfortunately, this isn’t a skill you can learn, but urologists do need excellent vision and visuospatial awareness. 

- **Communication skills** – Like any relationship, you will need excellent communication skills. You’ll also need good leadership skills and the ability to deal with people of all ages. 

- **Determination** – Urology is typically a long residency and there’s a lot to learn in this field. You will need to be eager to learn and determined to work on your expertise and technical skills. 

- **Organisational skills** – The ability to manage a busy and demanding role is imperative. 
  
Urology combines medical management knowledge and surgical skills. It’s a complex and demanding role which is rewarding because it is a unique opportunity to learn and use the skills of a physician and a surgeon. It’s this unique challenge, specialist knowledge and mix of duties within a specialist field that many urologists enjoy.  
 
## What do urologists in Australia and New Zealand earn?  
Because this specialty requires extra study, it is typically [well-remunerated](/articles/highest-paying-doctor-jobs-in-australia-medrecruit) and there are good career opportunities for driven doctors. 
 
Depending on your experience and seniority, the average hourly rate for locum urologists is $90 – $130 per hour (AUD). Urologists can earn $350,000 AUD annually – sometimes more depending on hours worked and whether they’re working in private or public hospitals.  
 
Urologists are in demand around the world, and this means there’s interesting and varied opportunities available around the world. Charitable work, [locum opportunities ](/articles/why-i-love-locuming-dr-lesina-nakhid-schuster) and teaching roles are all possibilities if you choose to pursue a career in urology.  
 
Are you that special someone who’s got what it takes to become a urologist?
 

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Urology is a unique challenge. It takes drive, specialist knowledge and specific skills. It’s also very well-paid. But do you have what it takes to become a urologist?

Do you have what it takes to become a urologist? | Medrecruit 

Baby, do you have what it takes to become a urologist? 

Thinking of working abroad? Australia and New Zealand have a lot to offer doctors. Modern medical systems and the great lifestyle are just some of the reasons doctors look for jobs in Australasia. 
 
We have a team dedicated to International Medical Graduates (IMGs), who can help you to determine the opportunities available to you. Typically, this depends on your individual circumstances, such as where you completed your primary medical degree, the countries in which you have clinical experience and if you’re a specialist or junior doctor. Your first port of call is to understand your eligibility for medical registration, as this dictates the type of role we will be looking for. 
 
## Am I eligible to work in New Zealand or Australia? 
 
### <u>Non-specialists  </u>
In order to practice in either [Australia or New Zealand](/articles/how-public-health-care-works-in-australia-and-new-zealand-medrecruit), you must be registered with either AHPRA (AU) or MCNZ (NZ). For IMGs, this is achievable via a number of pathways (or routes), your eligibility for which is determined by your clinical background. 
 
#### Australia 
To gain registration to work in Australia, the most common pathway for non-specialist doctors is the [Competent Authority Pathway](https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/registration/international-medical-graduates/competent-authority-pathway.aspx). To be eligible for this pathway, you must have completed your primary medical degree in the UK or Ireland. Alternatively, you are eligible if you have passed the medical licencing exams in the UK, Canada, USA or NZ and have completed an internship equivalent in one of these countries. 
 
If you did not complete your primary medical degree in the countries listed above, but you do have a medical degree from a country listed in the WHO directory, you are eligible for registration via the [Standard Pathway](https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/registration/international-medical-graduates/standard-pathway.aspx). This route requires you to complete the AMC examinations, which involve an MCQ and clinical examination. After successfully completing these exams you will be eligible for provisional registration, however, you must secure an internship level role for the first 12 months.  
 
Finding work via a [recruitment consultancy](/articles/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-working-with-a-medical-recruitment-agency) is extremely challenging as most employers do not accept agency applications for entry-level supervised positions – in this instance, it’s best to apply directly once you have successfully completed the exams. 
 
#### New Zealand 
Similar to Australia, the most common pathway for non-specialist doctors to gain registration to work in New Zealand is the [Competent Authority Pathway](https://www.mcnz.org.nz/registration/getting-registered/registration-policy/competent-authority-criteria/). Again, to be eligible for this pathway, you must have completed your primary medical degree in the UK or Ireland. 
 
However, unlike Australia, there is an additional pathway in New Zealand for non-specialist doctors to gain registration. The [Comparable Health System Pathway](https://www.mcnz.org.nz/registration/getting-registered/registration-policy/comparable-health-system-criteria/) is open to doctors who meet the following criteria; 
 
- Have a medical degree from a country listed in the WHO directory 

- Have worked for 33 months (for at least 30 hours per week) in the 48 months prior to your application within a comparable health system in the same area of medicine and same level offered in New Zealand 

- Hold full (or general) registration in the comparable health system in which you meet the above active clinical practice requirements. 

If you are not eligible for registration via the pathways above but you have a medical degree from a country listed in the WHO directory, you do have the option of pursuing registration via the [NZREX Clinical Examination](https://www.mcnz.org.nz/registration/getting-registered/registration-exam-nzrex/). This route requires you to complete the NZ Registration examinations which are held three times a year in Auckland. After successfully completing these exams you will be eligible for provisional registration but, like Australia, you must secure an internship level role for the first 12 months. Again, finding work via a recruitment consultancy is extremely challenging, so we suggest that you apply directly after you have successfully completed the exams. 
 
Note that Medrecruit only works with qualified doctors – we cannot work with students, nurses or other healthcare professionals. 
 
### <u>Specialists </u>
If you hold a full specialist qualification you have a larger number of options to pursue registration in Australia and New Zealand. 
  
#### Australia 
As an internationally trained specialist, you are eligible to apply for registration via the [Specialist Pathway](https://www.medicalboard.gov.au/registration/international-medical-graduates/specialist-pathway.aspx). This pathway involves an assessment by the relevant specialist college of your qualifications and experience to see how it compares to that of an Australian-trained Specialist. The outcome of this assessment will determine your comparability and therefore what additional requirements you must adhere to before you can gain full specialist registration (typically supervision and/or further examinations). The outcome of this comparability assessment will dictate the type of job opportunities available to you to achieve this. 
 
For doctors who hold a specialist qualification from the [UK](/articles/why-are-british-and-irish-g-ps-are-in-demand-in-australia-and-new-zealand), Ireland, Canada, the USA or New Zealand we can assist you in securing a role prior to completion of your comparability assessment being completed. If you hold a specialist qualification from a different country, we are only able to assist once you have an assessment outcome. Please note that completing a comparability assessment does not guarantee that you will secure a role. 
  
#### New Zealand 
To work as a specialist in New Zealand, you must hold Vocational Registration. For overseas trained doctors, this can be achieved via the [VOC3 pathway](https://www.mcnz.org.nz/registration/getting-registered/registration-pathways/pathways-to-registration-in-a-vocational-scope/voc3-vocational-specialist-registration/). Like the Australian process, this involves a full assessment of your overseas qualifications, training and experience to see how it compares to a New Zealand doctor of the same level. Again, the outcome of this comparability assessment will determine what steps you need to complete to be eligible for full Vocational Registration and the type of job you require. 
 
Again, if you hold a specialist qualification from the UK, Ireland, Canada, the USA or Australia we are able to assist in securing you a role prior to completion of your comparability assessment being completed. 
 
New Zealand offers an additional route to registration called Locum Tenens. This represents a temporary form of specialist registration but does not preclude you from securing vocational registration to continue practising should you wish. Locum Tenens has strict eligibility criteria and is only applicable to select specialist qualifications, e.g. MRCGP with CCT (UK). [Read more about the qualifications eligible for registration via Locum Tenens](https://www.mcnz.org.nz/assets/Policies/1f8183e705/List-of-approved-qualifications-for-locum-tenens-specialist-appointments.pdf). 
 
All international doctors, specialist and non-specialist, are required to work under supervision for a minimum of six months when they arrive in AU/NZ, during which time you will be practising under either limited (AU) or provisional (NZ) registration. This is put in place to ensure that IMGs have the necessary support available to them to safely integrate into a new medical system. As a result, IMGs are not able to locum when they first arrive – they must secure a fixed term role which satisfies the medical council that supervision is available. 
  
## Supervision? But I’m a Consultant! 
The term ‘supervision’ can be misleading; it is simply a process whereby the hospitals in AU/NZ commit to the Medical Council that they have made adequate provision for your safe integration into the new system and continued development by ensuring a consultant is available to support you in the event of any differences in practice and guide you in accordance with this. It enables you to practice in full capacity with the support of an AU/NZ trained consultant in what could be more accurately described as a collegiate relationship. The location in which you secure a role will nominate a consultant and must provide feedback to the medical council regarding your practice in accordance with AU/NZ regulations. 
  
## What if I have not worked in a comparable health system? 
Doctors who have not completed their degree or worked for more than 33 months in a comparable health system must pursue the Standard Pathway. As a general rule, we can’t assist doctors on this pathway. There is a lot of competition for jobs from Australian and New Zealand medical graduates as well as IMGs from countries like the UK, which has a system that’s similar to that of NZ and Australia. 
 

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Australia and New Zealand have a lot to offer doctors. But first, you’ll need to find out if you’re eligible for medical registration

Can I work as a doctor in Australia and New Zealand? | Medrecruit

Can I work as a doctor in Australia and New Zealand?

Dr Sam Prince has never had a straightforward medical career. While studying medicine, he worked in a Mexican restaurant and his experiences there inspired him to open his own. He opened the first [Zambrero](https://www.zambrero.co.nz/our-story ) restaurant when he was just 21 years old and now has more than 200 restaurants across Australia, New Zealand, America and Ireland. 

## Inspired to do more 
 
Dr Sam Prince’s interest in medicine was inspired in part by his mother. 

Sam’s mother grew up in Sri Lanka in a poor rural village that had very few opportunities for young people. Her brother and sister died because the family could not afford health care. But Sam’s mother managed to overcome poverty and other limitations – she was the only child to pass the U10 and she went on to become the first person in her village to attend university. She eventually gained five degrees and a PhD and was an economist at the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 

“She is the cycle breaker. I’ve been really obsessed with people who break cycles. It’s not too hard to find an accountant, who has a father who is an accountant, who has a mother who is an accountant. These cycles continue; they are good cycles to perpetuate. I am really fascinated with people who are able to break bad cycles,” says Sam. 

He adds that his mother’s ability to set her sights to do something different and break that bad cycle has inspired him (and his sister) to do more with life. 

“I idolize her. She’s a very easy person to look up to; calm, intelligent, kind and a lovely, lovely spirit. So that’s why she’s been our rock.” 

## Starting a business while studying medicine 

While he was studying medicine, Sam worked at a Mexican restaurant to help pay the bills.  

It was here that an idea to do something more struck him. At the age of just 21, he opened his own Mexican restaurant called Zambreros. It quickly grew into a franchise of almost 200 restaurants with a plate-for-plate initiative that has seen more than 14 million meals donated to people in developing countries.  

He says skillsets used in business and medicine have a surprising number of similarities: 

“It is a great place to learn more about skills that are taught in medical schools, like how to lead a team in the right direction, and people management, strategies… all these kind of things you learn in entrepreneurship […] I think that doctors are uniquely skilled; I think almost selected for those kinds of entrepreneurial skills. My definition of entrepreneurship is having an idea, breathing life into that idea and making it real and having it adopted by other people. And I think a systematic way of approaching problems is well suited I think for that, so I got to indulge here.” 

## Applying new technology to medicine 

When Dr Sam Prince was 32, he developed a cough and became very sick. Chest x-rays revealed a mass in his lungs which was, at first, thought to be cancer. He was eventually diagnosed with sarcoidosis, “It was a soul-searching period,” says Sam, “it was also a place where I got up close and personal in the medical system.” 

His experience as a patient led him to believe that the whole world needs to be changed, that the healthcare industry needed a new way of melding medicine and technology to create a better system for patients and doctors. It inspired Sam to found Next Practice – a combination of technology (including an app) and clinics which strips away the things that doctors don’t like about the traditional system, things that often prevent them from practising medicine, like back-breaking paperwork and restricted patient time. 

“[T]he thing that really inspired us was, we can actually just obsess about making the best general practice experience on planet earth, not only for patients but also noting that doctors are exquisitely kind of skilled at being advocates for patients.” 

Next Practice aims to use technology to assist, rather than replace doctors and brings together innovative technology and doctors who are passionate about healthcare. It’s healthcare “re-imagined”. 

“I am not interested in best practice anymore, I’m interested in next practice, what happens next because I think we can elevate ourselves to something beyond that.” 

## The future of healthcare 

Sam is positive about the future of healthcare and is passionate about ensuring the industry is driven towards a forward-thinking future. He illustrates the importance of this with an anecdote from his time in Sri Lanka, where he often does charity work. He was thrilled to be able to give a scholarship to a little girl who’d passed her U10 and had grown up in a village which was similar to the village where his mother had grown up. Sam and his mother asked the girl: 

“We are greatly honoured to be able to offer you a scholarship in school, you can do whatever you want… so what do you want to do?” 

The girl replied that she wanted to be a bus ticket collector and at first, they were surprised that this was what the girl saw as the pinnacle, the thing she wanted to do most. 

“But if you stood from her vantage point and look out from the slum at all you can see, there was this bus that would pass by every once in a while. The bus driver was a man, so she thought she could not do that, but everyone on that bus wore suits (and things like that) and there was this young girl in this beautiful white dress who collected bus tickets. And so {the little girl} thought: ‘that is the absolute pinnacle of what I can attain’.” 

Sam says that although aspiring to pinnacles beyond what you can see is difficult, it’s important to think bigger and better for the future of the medical industry. 

Click [here](https://medworld.nationbuilder.com/sam_prince_podcast) to listen to the full podcast with [Medrecruit founder Dr Sam Hazledine](/about-us) in conversation with Dr Sam Prince. 

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Dr Sam Prince has never had a straightforward medical career. Here’s how he became a revered entrepreneur and changed the world – all while studying medicine.  

The exceptional story of Dr Sam Prince| Medrecruit  

The exceptional story of Dr Sam Prince

How to take care of your health and wellbeing, so that you can be a better doctor

#Career development