Advanced Trainee Fellowship Scheme (ATF Scheme)

The ATF Scheme is an initiative available to assist health professionals to undertake advanced training, a specialist qualification or study overseas in a priority specialty area.

The aim is to ensure that health, or health-related professionals with excellent potential to contribute leadership and expertise to the New Zealand health system have the opportunity to pursue extended training, while the New Zealand health sector has the opportunity to benefit from that experience.

The ATF Scheme offers support for up to 25 new trainees annually. Five of these will be funding assistance for a Doctor of Philosophy.

To be eligible, trainees will require a career plan, support from the relevant regulatory authority or medical college, a commitment from a DHB or other employer with a specified guaranteed job on return. Both the employer and ATF Scheme candidate will be bonded to on-going employment on completion of training or study. Dr Jerry Gathercole - COHD Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Northland DHB) has said of the HWNZ Advanced Trainee Fellowship (trialled at Northland DHB):

"I am absolutely delighted with this arrangement and he will be very welcome "Home" to Northland. The outline of his career plan is also perfect and I will be happy to act as a mentor as are all the members of our department. I note the emphasis on Otology in his career plan which will also be a great asset for NDHB.

I have to congratulate Health Workforce New Zealand for its foresight. It took me nearly 5 years to attract an Otolaryngologist consultant many years ago and about 3 to get a second Otolaryngologist to join us, so a seamless addition to the department will be fantastic."

• Further information about the fellowship is available under the ATF Scheme information page.
• If you are a trainee and would like to apply you will find all the information you need on the ATF Scheme applications page.

Updated April 2013