Paediatric surgery
Paediatric surgery is the diagnosis and treatment (operative and non operative) of children (usually up to 15 years of age) who may require surgery. It includes non-cardiac thoracic surgery, general paediatric surgery, oncological surgery, urology in children and the management of congenital abnormalities both ante-natally and in the neonatal period. Also included is the management of major trauma in children.
Vocational training in paediatric 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 paediatric surgery.
Am I able to apply to work as a recognised specialist in New Zealand?
To apply for vocational registration in paediatric surgery, you would need to hold:
- 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 paediatric surgery.
What standard will I be compared against?
To obtain the FRACS in paediatric surgery, the trainee completes at least 7 years of advanced training (after obtaining general medical and surgical experience):
- 3 years of initial paediatric surgery training:
- 12 months of training in specialty paediatric surgical training posts accredited by the RACS
- 24 months of operative surgery in general posts. The most useful specialty rotations are general surgery, urology, vascular, cardiothoracic and plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Direct Observation of Procedures (DOPS), Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises (Mini-CEX) and 360 degree evaluation surveys must be undertaken during first 3 years of training
- completion of the Early Management of Severe Trauma (EMST), Australian and New Zealand Surgical Skills Education and Training (ASSET), Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient (CCrISP) and Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) courses required before entry into fourth year of training
- passes in the generic surgical science and clinical examinations required before entry into fourth year of training
- 4 years of advanced paediatric surgery training:
- further training in specialty paediatric surgery training posts accredited by the RACS
- measure of understanding and surgical expertise (MOUSE) forms must be completed at regular intervals during advanced training
- completion of the Emergency Management of Severe Burns (EMSB) course required during advanced training
- Critical Appraisal Tasks (CATs), Directed Online Group Studies (DOGs) and 360 degree evaluation surveys must be undertaken during advanced training
- passes in the paediatric anatomy and paediatric pathophysiology examinations required before the Fellowship examination can be taken
- logbooks must be maintained and submitted to supervisor at regular intervals during training
- a pass in the Fellowship examination required in final year of advanced training
- FRACS in paediatric surgery awarded on satisfactory completion of examination and training requirements
- participation required in the RACS continuing professional development programme
I want to make a vocational registration application
If you wish 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