scrubbedexpat094

Does anyone do this here in NZ?

I have been looking for a new direction since I gave up working as a midwife in NZ. I do miss it in many ways but the maternity system & the Midwifery Council here does my head in.

I did a careers quiz t'other day & although this didn't come up as a top job (psychiatrist & paediatrician were my top two!!!) it has certainly tweaked my interest. When I did my non-midwifery placements in the UK, I loved my time in gynae theatres, also liked time in theatre for elective LSCS but not so much the emergency ones!

I like that the training is on the job, so I would get paid whilst doing the Diploma.
Would be interested in hearing from anyone who does it in NZ. I'm guessing that it's equivalent to an ODP in the UK, is that correct?

richard_jacqui

Hi
Im Jacqui and am an Anaesthetic Technician here in NZ. Yes, you are correct, ODP's from the UK do come over to fill the Anaesthetic Technician posts here but we are employed to do the anaesthetics only so cannot assist the surgeons as a scrub person. Some places do let us into recovery. So the job is slightly diffeerent to our role in the UK. Anaesthetic Technicians have just got registration here so times are a changing and its all for the good. Very exciting for us Techs.
The three year training programme here is very intense, very interesting and very rewarding if you love working in operating theatres. Go for it. You wont be disappointed but then Im bias Lol

simonsi

My wife Amanda does this having trained as an ODP in the UK a fews moons ago, she does have the opportunity to scrub but that isn't the norm over here. I'm sure she'd be happy to meet up once we get back from touring the South Island, we are in Arkles Bay so quite close...

scrubbedexpat094

Many thanks Jacqui & Simonsi for the information. It certainly sounds like something I would be interested in. The study puts me off slightly in that I'm no longer a spring chicken & it can take a while for my two brain cells to meet . Good to hear that AT's have now got registration.

I will need to do some research & see if it could be for me & I would love the opportunity to talk to your wife Simonsi. Would you be up for a meet-up Jacqui?

Not too bothered about scrubbing-up, though I have done it in the UK, but only because it detracted from my role as a midwife.

vicci

My husband is an Anaesthetic Technician trained in the UK and now works here in NZ. he loves it.

scrubbedexpat094

That's good to know.

So where does everyone work?

richard_jacqui

I would be up for a meet and happy to give any info/advice. Up until christmas this year, I worked at the North Shore Hospital. I start a new job in the private sector next Monday after 3 weeks off. I hope I remember what to do Lol. I did my training in my 40's so dont let being a late starter put you off. It has great advantages too.

crap coffee

how much physics is involved in Applied Sc course?

In my understanding,,,, A level at least,,,

If someone out of school for 20 years something and never done or never good at Physics/Maths then is it possible to do the course?

I don't think nursing students study Physics,,, though they do chemistry etc.

scrubbedexpat094

Thanks Jacqui, I shall PM you. Good luck with the new job on Monday. I used to feel like that when I'd had a couple of weeks off. I'd ask myself "Now what does a midwife do????!" Used to come flooding back within 5 mins though.

scrubbedexpat094

So I'm now doing two papers HAP1 & Biophysics at AUT but I'm trying to get a trainee post without much luck. I haven't seen anything advertised on the DHB websites, though I have looked frequently.

I have been in touch with NZATS & no reply so far. So wondering if any of you can give me a name & an email addy or telephone number of someone I could contact please . I've been told that it's that old case of, it's not what you know but whom

simonsi

My OH is an AT, knows damn all about biophysics :-)

Did you still want a chat (gross apologies havent checked PMs for a while), with OH?

NZATS s semi-defunct now ATs register with the Medical Sciences Board, OH isnt going to waste the $ on NZATS now they arent required....

scrubbedexpat094

Thanks for the PM, I'll be in touch.