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Locum tenens in New Zealand: Must-knows before taking a locums assignment among the Kiwis

New-Zealand-mountain-hike

Want to go somewhere where you’re always near a beach, the sights are stunning, the people are friendly, and where you’re bound to find adventure? Make sure to add New Zealand to your bucket list of locums destinations.

The need for locums

The Guardian says that New Zealand relies heavily on doctors from other countries to cover shifts. With the growing demand for services, along with the country’s physician shortage, New Zealand is in need of doctors, even in cities. Some reasons for this, according to the article, especially for the demand in the rural areas include: isolation, lack of schooling options and social activities, and poor access to broadband networks.

Pay for the locum tenens positions can be lower than a typical U.S. locums job. However, as Matt Brown, director of Global Medical Staffing’s international division, pointed out in a previous interview, people don’t go there for the money: They go for the beauty, the experience, the adventure, the laid-back lifestyle, and to travel.

Additionally, since we pay for transportation to New Zealand, housing and transportation while there, living costs can be kept low.

The healthcare system

New Zealand residents benefit from a free or low cost public health system, thanks to heavy government subsidies, according to New Zealand Now. For locum tenens doctors, this means that specialists practicing in New Zealand tend to see patients who truly need specialty services while general practitioners see a whole range of patients, and treat a wide variety of conditions.

Some healthcare differences can require that locums doctors remain open minded and flexible.

“Practicing medicine was initially very frustrating because family medicine docs are considered general practitioners (GPs),” explains Dr. Tara Piech, who started as locums but eventually moved her entire family and three dogs to New Zealand permanently. “As a GP, we are unable to order MRIs, CT scans or ultrasounds without a specialist approval. I live in the Far North Island, which is considered rural, and we don’t have enough specialists to do the work.

“On the other hand, patients do get the best care there is. They never have hospital bills to pay, and prescriptions are $5 ($3 U.S.) each. Patients also have the option of paying for studies and care privately at a fraction of the cost they would have to pay in the U.S. I don’t get told how to document, and we don’t have coders. Our nurses practice to a very high degree, and we don’t worry about getting sued.”

Despite the adjustments needed to a different healthcare system, our locums doctors say that doing less paperwork and getting more time with patients has been a blessing for them. Some even credit a stint in New Zealand for reinvigorating their passion for medicine.

New Zealand coast

Living there

“New Zealand is a stable, peaceful, and safer country than just about anywhere else in the world,” reports New Zealand Now. “Add in a safe learning environment and a healthy dose of the outdoor recreation available in our wide open spaces, and you have a recipe for producing resourceful and confident young adults ready to take on the world.”

This is why several of our physicians have brought their entire families along with on their one-year to two-year assignment to New Zealand, from toddlers to teens.

Culture: laid back and friendly

The Maori are New Zealand’s indigenous people. Many of our placements provide healthcare to these kind, respectful people. The culture is known to be very family and community oriented, which means that the entire family may come to a doctor appointment.

Dr. Piech adds, “My favorite thing about New Zealand is that most people are down to earth and sensible. They have freedom from religion, there is very little racism, the Maori have significant rights, and this is built into the government. I wear what I like to work even if it’s flip flops (jandals) and shorts. I can go for a walk on the beach at lunch. I know just about everyone in the community.”

Cost of living

As for the cost of living, Kiwi Education puts New Zealand expenses on par with other developed countries, like Europe and Australia, but with prices on the island varying widely by season. Some bloggers and some of our docs advise you to bring the clothing, shoes, sports gear, etc., that you’ll need, as these types of products cost a lot more than in the U.S.

Here, you can get a full-itemized list of average prices for various living expenses and products there.

Native boats in New ZealandPopular attractions

Hit up the:

  • Glowworm caves, illuminated by thousands of glowworms.
  • Abel Tasman National Park — called a “hiker’s dream,” it’s closed to vehicles, and there you’ll see blue penguins, wekas, oyster catchers, wood pigeons and other rare birds can all be seen.
  • Waiheke Island, the place for wine lovers.
  • White Island, an active volcano. Smarter Travel advises taking a helicopter ride to see it. While on the island, you’ll have to wear a hardhat and gas mask.
  • Queenstown, adventure central. From June to October, it has world-class skiing. The rest of the year, you can go bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating, and river rafting, which is why Smarter Travel says it a must-see.
  • Franz Josef Glacier is a glacier you can hike.
  • Te Puia — New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Another recommendation from Smarter Travel, it’s in Rotorua’s Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, and at the institute, you can arrange for an authentic steambox meal prepared using ancient geothermal cooking techniques.
  • Milford Sound, which is a fjord in Fiordland National Park in New Zealand’s South Island. It’s an UNESCO World Heritage site jewel and jaw-droppingly stunning.
  • One blogger says that New Zealand has the best coffee on the planet. That’s saying a lot, but be sure to indulge — and don’t miss the brunch dining opportunities.

 Interested in learning more about have a New Zealand locum tenens experience? Give us a call at 800.760.3174 or view today’s opportunities in New Zealand.