Vascular surgery
Vascular surgery is the diagnosis and treatment (operative and non operative, including endoluminal techniques and interventional procedures) of patients with disorder of the blood vessels (arteries and veins outside the heart and brain) and the lymphatic system. It also includes the management of trauma and surgical access to the vascular system.
Vocational training in New Zealand
Vocational training in vascular surgery is undertaken through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). Once RACS training is completed, the doctor is awarded the Fellowship of the RACS (FRACS) in vascular surgery.
-
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), formed in 1927, is a non-profit organisation training surgeons and maintaining surgical standards in Australia and New Zealand.
Am I able to apply to work as a recognised specialist in New Zealand?
To apply for vocational registration in vascular surgery, you need either:
- the FRACS qualification; or
- an international postgraduate medical qualification, where your combination of qualifications, training and experience will then be assessed against the standard of FRACS in vascular surgery.
What standard will my training, qualifications and experience be compared against?
Recognised specialists in New Zealand must complete at least 5 years of advanced training (after obtaining general medical and surgical experience) and satisfy the requirements below. This should be viewed in conjunction with the Training Regulations Handbook for the SET program in Vascular Surgery.
- 5 years of specialty vascular surgical training in posts accredited by the RACS.
- successful completion of In Training Assessment Forms, Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercises (Mini-CEX), Direct Observation of Procedures (DOPS), and logbooks each training year.
- satisfactorily attend and participate in trainee tutorials.
- complete the following courses:
- the Australian and New Zealand Surgical Skills Education and Training (ASSET) course by the end of SET1.
- Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient (CCrISP) and Early Management of Severe Trauma (EMST) by the end of SET2.
- pass the Surgical Science Examination in Vascular Surgery by the end of SET3.
- attend and participate in the Trainee Skills Course every year during training.
- satisfactorily complete the Board of Vascular Surgery Research Requirement.
- satisfactorily complete the Board of Vascular Surgery Ultrasound Requirement.
- pass the Fellowship examination when training requirements are completed.
- participate in the RACS continuing professional development programme.
Once a trainee has successfully completed the examinations and training requirements they will be awarded the FRACS in vascular surgery.
I want to make a vocational registration application
To make a vocational registration application, please refer to the Vocational Registration Homepage and select the option appropriate for you.
-
Vocational registration is a form of permanent, specialist registration which allows you to work independently in New Zealand.
Am I able to apply for other types of registration?
You may be able to apply for more than one type of registration. To find out which is the best fit for you, please use our self assessment tool.
-
Use our registration self assessment tool to determine which pathway to registration (as a medical practitioner in Aotearoa New Zealand) you might be eligible for. Note: we do not cover student electives.