Pathologists

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 salaries and benefits of some roles are determined by collective agreements between unions and employers.

Employment agreementsexternal link

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 is a range of additional allowances for:

• on-call
• evening, night and weekend work
• call back
• job size
• recruitment and retention
• special contribution.

Leave

Leave entitlements include:

• 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 to 12 months of parental leave, depending on the length of service, including 6 weeks of fully paid parental leave
• 12 paid public holidays and time in lieu or alternative holiday if rostered on
• long service leave and sabbatical opportunities.

Additional benefits

Additional benefits include:

• an annual continuing medical education (CME) allowance of NZD $16,000 (pro-rated for part-time employees)
• membership subscriptions of medical professional bodies are reimbursed by Health NZ
• your professional indemnity insurance is covered by Health NZ
• if eligible, up to a 6% matching superannuation contribution from Health NZ as your employer
• a relocation package for international candidates.

KiwiSaver (superannuation savings scheme)

Leadership and career development opportunities

Health NZ encourages Senior Medical Officers to be involved in the design, implementation and performance of facilities and technology involved in the delivery of healthcare services to ensure an effective, efficient and safe workplace.

Specific opportunities vary by location and service; however, they can include:

• support and encouragement for research and publications
• mentorship opportunities for apprentice Junior Doctors/Registrars
• regional and national networks allowing 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.

Professional registration requirements

To work as a Senior Medical Officer, you must become registered to practice with the Medical Council of New Zealand and hold an Annual Practising Certificate.  

To apply for vocational registration in Pathology with the Medical Council of New Zealand, you need:

• the Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (FRCPA) qualification — to work only in Laboratory Pathology only
• the Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (FRCPA) and the Fellowship of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (FRCPA) qualification — to work in Laboratory Pathology and its associated clinical discipline.

Pathologists are crucial in the healthcare system, contributing to early detection, personalised medicine, and public health initiatives. Their work supports clinicians across all fields of medicine.

Roles and responsibilities

Roles and responsibilities may include:

Diagnosis

Pathologists analyse samples of body tissues, blood, and other fluids to diagnose diseases such as cancer, infections, and autoimmune conditions. They provide detailed reports to guide treatment decisions.

Autopsies and forensic pathology

Pathologists conduct post-mortem examinations to determine the cause of death. Forensic Pathologists assist in criminal investigations, working with law enforcement to provide evidence in legal cases.

Laboratory oversight

They oversee medical laboratories, ensuring the accuracy of tests like blood tests, biopsies, and genetic testing. This ensures high-quality standards in diagnostic processes.

Research and teaching

Many Pathologists are involved in medical research, studying disease mechanisms and contributing to medical advancements. They may also teach medical students and train pathology registrars.

Areas of specialty

Areas of specialty may include:

• anatomical pathology (including histopathology)
• chemical pathology
• forensic pathology
• general pathology (a mix of anatomical and clinical pathology)
• genetic pathology
• haematology
• immunopathology
• and microbiology (including virology).

Alternate titles for Pathologists

• Histopathologist
• Microbiologist
• Clinical Biochemist
• Cellular pathology
• Clinical Pathologist

Registering to work as a Senior Medical Officer in Aotearoa New Zealand

To work as a Senior Medical Officer in Aotearoa New Zealand, you will need to obtain vocational registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).

Pathways to vocational registration

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 (such as Australia, the UK, the USA, Canada and some European countries), you may be eligible to apply directly for vocational registration without needing first to obtain general registration.
• In this pathway, 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.
• 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.

Provisional vocational registration pathway

• If 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 will practice in your specialty under supervision for a period, typically between 6 to 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.

General registration pathway

• If you do not meet the criteria for direct vocational registration, you may need to obtain general registration first if your qualifications and experience are not recognised as equivalent.
• This process to gain vocational registration includes:
  • a period of provisional general registration (with supervised practice) if necessary
  • after obtaining general registration, you can later apply for vocational registration once you have completed any further assessments or additional supervised practice required by the MCNZ.

Self-assessment

The Medical Council of New Zealand have a self-assessment tool to help you easily determine which registration pathway you should take.

Registration self assessment tool — Medical Council of New Zealandexternal link

Find out more about life in New Zealand

We have a page dedicated to providing information to candidates about our recruitment process, what you need to work in Aotearoa New Zealand and key details about moving here.

Visas and settling in New Zealand