Advanced Trainee Fellowship Scheme Terms and Conditions

1. Application for a place on the ATF Scheme

1.1 Please note that an application is not an acceptance of a place on the Advanced Trainee Fellowship (ATF) Scheme.

1.2 The Advisory Panel will meet as required to consider applications. You will be notified ofthe outcome of your application as soon as possible.

2. Scheme confirmation

2.1 To apply to the ATF Scheme, you must:

  • be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
  • not also be on the Voluntary Bonding Scheme
  • be able to demonstrate a commitment to contribute leadership and expertise to the New Zealand health sector upon completion of period of study funded by the ATF
  • be registered or able to be registered with the appropriate responsible authority in New Zealand, or be acknowledged as a qualified health, or health related professional by a recognised professional body
  • for medicine, be in post-graduate vocational training in a Government health priority specialty and preferably in at least their third year of post graduate specialist training
  • be prepared and available to work in New Zealand for a minimum of two years on completion of study.

2.2 You understand that there are limited places on the ATF Scheme.

2.3 The ATF Scheme is a voluntary process and Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ) and the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) take no responsibility for any employment decisions you may make based on the hard-to-staff areas defined by the ATF Scheme.

2.4 You are responsible for notifying the employer supporting you and HWNZ of any change of address or other contact details.

2.5 You will be required to report six monthly to your employer and HWNZ on the training and progress being made in terms of the career plan. This will be able to be lodged electronically.

3. Commencement date

3.1 The commencement date of the Fellowship for each trainee is the date on which the trainee signs the agreement with the designated DHB or other employer.

3.2 The end date of the binding agreement is detailed in the contract with the DHB.

4. Payments

4.1 The DHB or employer will reimburse you on production of receipts or other satisfactory evidence of reasonable expenditure on the agreed training, travel to the country in which you will study and initial accommodation up to $20,000 or as set out in the agreed career plan and in the contract with the DHB or employer.

4.2 You may be eligible to receive support towards a salary for up to 12 months but ONLY if you are in an unsupported post.

4.3 No payments will be made until the trainee has signed the contract with the DHB/ employer confirming the terms and conditions of the ATF Scheme and bonding agreements.

4.4 In consideration of receiving assistance via the ATF Scheme you will agree to provide satisfactory service to the DHB/ employer in your clinical area for a minimum of two years or you will be required to repay the DHB/employer.

5. Definitions

5.1 Registration requirements

You must have qualifications acceptable for registration by the appropriate responsible authority under Section 15 of the HPCA Act 2003 and be eligible for registration in New Zealand, or acknowledgement as a qualified health, or health-related professional by a recognised professional body.

5.2 Citizen and residency requirements

You must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident. Evidence of New Zealand citizenship is a New Zealand passport or a foreign passport endorsed with a New Zealand visa or permit.

5.3 Priority specialties

Primary consideration will be given to applications that undertake advanced training, a specialist qualification or study overseas that address government priorities or are in the following specialty areas:

  • Medicine
  • Dentistry
  • Allied Health
  • Midwifery
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacy

Primary consideration will be given to Government health priorities and the following specialty areas:

  • Health Leadership
  • Maori Workforce Development
  • Pacific Workforce Development
  • Aged Care
  • Mental Health and Addiction
  • Primary Care
  • Rehabilitation

Medicine sub specialties:

  • Urgent Care Physician (formerly Accident and Medical Practice)
  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Child and adolescent psychiatry
  • Clinical genetics
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Family Planning and Reproductive Health
  • General Practice
  • General Surgery
  • Obstetrics & Gynaecology
  • Paediatric oncology
  • Paediatric pathology
  • Palliative Medicine
  • Psychiatry
  • Rural Hospital Medicine
  • Sexual Health Medicine
  • Urology
  • Vascular Surgery

6. Pauses and breaks in the term of service

6.1 An absence of up to 14 weeks in a 12 month period will not affect the time period a trainee needs to complete bonding requirements. Such an absence is known as a break. This means that you can take up to 14 weeks’ absence in a 12 month period from your position without it affecting your eligibility for ATF Scheme payments.

6.2 Any additional absences greater than 14 weeks can be taken with the agreement of your employer and in accordance with your DHB/employer contract and that the time must be added to the term necessary to complete the bonding period.

7. Privacy statement

7.1 Our application form requires you to give us personal information such as your email address, employment and general professional details. The Privacy Act 1993 requires us to tell you that we are collecting and using your personal information.

7.2 All of the information you provide in the registration form will be treated as personal information and will be used, stored and disclosed in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act 1993. Relevant provisions include:

  • The information must be collected directly from you.
  • The information will only be used for the purpose for which it is collected.
  • You have the right to request a copy of the information and to request correction of the information.

7.3 The information will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed to any person except in connection with the purposes for which it is obtained, or by operation of law.

7.4 By submitting the application form, you are authorising the Ministry of Health to collect personal information about you. This information will be stored and used by the Ministry for purposes associated with the ATF Scheme.

7.5 You have the right to contact the Ministry of Health to request access to and correction of any personal information held about you.

7.6 The Ministry suggests you print a copy of this statement for your records.

Last updated August 20141 | Page