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Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery - New Zealand

A general overview of the requirements and criteria for selection into the Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery training program in New Zealand.

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General information & selection tools

Refer to the Specialty Board's selection regulations (PDF 339.52KB) for further information. 

Selection tools

The following is a list of selection tools and their contributions to the overall score:

  • Structured Online Curriculum Vitae - 20 per cent 
  • Structured Online Referee Reports - 40 per cent 
  • Semi-structured Interview - 40 per cent

Successful progression to interview

The Board has set the minimum eligibility criteria for progression to interview as follows:

  • Interviews will be offered according to ranking on a 3:1 ratio (applicants : posts available)

Mandatory requirements

Rotations

Surgical rotations Minimum duration Validity period 1 Completed by
OHNS rotations2 26 weeks 3 years Time of Application
Surgical experience3 26 weeks 3 years Time of Application
Emergency Department4 8 weeks 5 years Time of application


Notes

  1. Rotations must have been completed within the validity period specified.
  2. OHNS rotations minimum of 26 weeks at registrar level.
  3. 26 weeks surgical experience in addition to the 26 weeks OHNS.
  4. Eight consecutive weeks.

 

Structured online curriculum vitae (CV)

CV will score information on, and require documented evidence for:

  • surgical experience
  • skills courses 
  • qualifications
  • research and academic achievements.

No additional CV information will be accepted from applications.

Structured referee reports

Applicants must provide current contact details, including a valid e-mail address for:

  • A minimum of eight (8) surgical consultants, including four (4) OHNS consultants who have worked with the applicant since 1 January 2017 and prior to the closing date for applications.

  • Four (4) non-surgical senior staff members who have worked with the applicant from 1 January 2017 and prior to closing date for applications.

Who can qualify as a referee?

  • Surgical referees must be surgical consultants at the time of supervision and must be able to comment on all aspects of the applicant's training.
  • Other health professionals.

What is the time period from which a referee will be considered valid?

  • Referees must be from 1 January 2017 onward.

How many referees can be provided from a particular rotation?

  • A maximum of three (3) surgical referees can be provided from any particular rotation.
  • A maximum of two (2) non-surgical referees can be provided from any particular rotation.

How are referees selected?

  • The Board will select two (2) supervising surgical consultants to be contacted to provide a referee report.
  • The Board will select one (1) non-surgical staff to be contacted as part of the selection process.

 How are the Structured Referee Reports collected and scored?

The Assessors together (via teleconference or in person) will personally speak with two surgical consultants and one non-surgical referee with whom the applicant has worked to assist them in preparing a Referee Report 

Please refer to the selection regulations (PDF 339.52KB) for more information.

Semi-structured interview

Date of interviews: 5 September 2020
Date invitations to interview sent: 10 business days

The interviews for New Zealand applicants will be held in Wellington. 

The format of the interviews will be as follows:

  • Three (3) interview panels
  • Up to three (3) interviewers per panel
  • Two (2) questions per panel

Applicants invited to interview will be required to provide identification.

Announcement of offers

Announcement of offers to successful applicants will be made by 30 November 2020.

Feedback to both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be made in accordance with the Selection to Surgical Education and Training Policy (PDF 60.05KB) (PDF 102.76KB).

Past offers

In 2010 three (3)* Trainees were appointed into the SET program to commence in 2011.
In 2011 three (3)* Trainees were appointed into the SET program to commence in 2012.
In 2012 two (2)* Trainees were appointed into the SET program to commence in 2013.
In 2013 two (2)* Trainees were appointed into the SET Program to commence in 2014.
In 2014 five (5)* Trainees were appointed into the SET Program to commence in 2015.
In 2015 one (1)* Trainee was appointed into the SET Program to commence in 2016.
In 2016 four (4)* Trainees were appointed into the SET Program to commence in 2017.
In 2017 four (4)* Trainees were appointed into the SET Program to commence in 2018.
In 2018 three (3)* Trainees were appointed into the SET Program to commence in 2019.
in 2019 three (3)* Trainees were appointed into the SET Program to commence in 2020.

*Includes deferred offers.