ATF Scheme Information
- Introduction
- How does the scheme work?
- What does the ATF Scheme offer advanced trainees?
- How will ATF Scheme trainees be selected?
- What will be required of the trainee?
- Making an application
1. Introduction
The ATF Scheme is a Health Workforce New Zealand initiative aimed at assisting exceptional advanced medical trainees to train or study overseas in a shortage specialty area.
The aim is to ensure that trainees with excellent potential have the opportunity to benefit from overseas experience, while the New Zealand health sector has the opportunity to benefit from that experience when the trainee returns to New Zealand to work.
Up to 25 trainees may benefit from the ATF Scheme each year.
2. How does the ATF Scheme work?
The ATF Scheme will assist doctors to undertake further training overseas or in New Zealand though financial assistance which can be applied to cover the costs of travel, accommodation and training. The training or study experience should contribute useful expertise to the trainee to prepare them for work in New Zealand and may include management or leadership training. The trainee will be bonded to work for a minimum of two years in New Zealand on their return.
In some cases, ATF Scheme funds may be applied as a contribution to salary where a post is unsupported or to cover course expenses. This is only where such expenses are not already covered by other HWNZ funding, other agreements, scholarships or grants and is assessed on a case by case basis. Alternatively, in some circumstances ATF Scheme funds can be applied to contribute to the cost of studying in New Zealand, where the period of study will represent a loss or drop in wages. In both these cases the trainee would still be bonded to work in a confirmed job for a minimum of two years in New Zealand at the completion of their study.
3. What does the ATF Scheme offer advanced trainees?
The scheme is flexible and will be based on the specific needs of the trainee after advice from the future employer and the relevant Specialist College.
ATF Scheme candidates will receive assistance of up to $20,000 to cover real and actual expenses of initial accommodation, airfares, and course costs overseas. The ATF Scheme is designed to cover costs over and above those that would in any case be incurred if studying in New Zealand.
In the majority of cases, it is expected that the placement organisation will cover the salary of the trainee or that an exchange programme may be arranged. If the trainee is in an unsupported position, HWNZ may contribute to salary costs.
4. How will ATF Scheme trainees be selected?
Successful candidates will be high calibre trainees showing excellent potential and will be selected on merit with advice from an ATF Scheme Selection Panel.
Trainees will be expected to be an ambassador for the ATF Scheme and for New Zealand. They must be registered in New Zealand and be a New Zealand citizen or resident.
Trainees must be committed to training and working in an identified specialist shortage area and/or in a hard to staff post and be willing to undertake directed training and collaborate with the employer and medical College to ensure the training meets the individual’s needs and the demands of the specialty in New Zealand.
To be eligible, trainees will require a career plan; a commitment from the relevant medical College and DHB; and a specified guaranteed job on return. Both the employer and ATF Scheme candidate will be bonded to ongoing employment on completion of the training or study.
On entry to the ATF Scheme, the trainee will usually be in their third year in post graduate specialist training and not in the Voluntary Bonding Scheme.
5. What will be required of the trainee?
All ATF Scheme trainees will be committed to return to New Zealand on completion of the ATF Scheme to work in an appropriate medical specialist position and /or a hard to staff post for a minimum period of two years.
The trainee will be expected to meet College course requirements each year of their speciality training and be eligible to gain a specialist qualification and vocational registration during or at the end of the ATF Scheme period.
The trainee will be required to report six monthly to the employer and HWNZ on the training and progress being made in terms of achieving the training intentions set out in the career plan.
6. Making an application
Trainees interested in applying to the ATF Scheme will need to submit:
- A full CV, which should detail education and employment history; specialty training, professional interests, and achievements to date, including publications and awards.
- A Medical Council registration number and a Certificate of Good Standing from the Medical Council.
- Letters of reference from two professional referees.
- A career plan (Word, 352KB) detailing planned training and courses, which must lead to a postgraduate qualification and eligibility for vocational registration. Course details should cover the length, location, cost of courses, and their benefit to you and to the wider New Zealand workforce.
- A letter of confirmation from the relevant Specialist College that the planned training and career plan will be accepted by the College and lead to vocational registration.
- A letter of support from the potential employer that they support the career plan and will guarantee an offer of employment in a Senior Medical Officer position on return of the trainee to New Zealand.
- A letter from a Senior Medical Officer (or Clinical Director) confirming that they support your career plan.
- A budget for planned travel and accommodation.
Visit the ATF Scheme Applications page for further information about applying for the Advanced Trainee Fellowship Scheme.