Advanced Trainee Fellowship (ATF)
The ATF (formerly referred to as the Advanced Trainee Scheme [ATS]) is a Health Workforce New Zealand scholarship which is available to assist medical trainees to undertake advanced training or study overseas in a shortage specialty area.
The aim is to ensure that trainees with excellent potential have the opportunity to pursue extended training, while the New Zealand health sector has the opportunity to benefit from that experience.
The ATF offers support for up to 25 new trainees annually.
To be eligible, trainees will require a career plan, a commitment from the relevant medical College and DHB or other employer and a specified guaranteed job on return, and be willing to work in an identified regional area of workforce need. Both the employer and ATF candidate will be bonded to ongoing employment on completion of the training or study.
Dr Jerry Gathercole - COHD Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Northland DHB) has said of the HWNZ Advanced Trainee Fellowship (trialled at Northland DHB):
"I am absolutely delighted with this arrangement and he will be very welcome "Home" to Northland.The outline of his career plan is also perfect and I will be happy to act as a mentor as are all the members of our department. I note the emphasis on Otology in his career plan which will also be a great asset for NDHB.
I have to congratulate Health Workforce New Zealand for its foresight. It took me nearly 5 years to attract an Otolaryngologist consultant many years ago and about 3 to get a second Otolaryngologist to join us, so a seamless addition to the department will be fantastic."
- Further information about the fellowship is available under the ATF information page.
- If you are a trainee and would like to apply you will find all the information you need on the ATF applications page.