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Medic

Job Group

  • Rating

Job Availability

  • Full Time

The Role

Medics are responsible for the comprehensive medical care of all naval personnel both ashore and at sea. You will perform a variety of duties including treating sick and injured personnel, immunisations, out-patient clinics, training new medics and other sailors, ensuring the Ship’s Company has regular health checks and maintaining health records

Job on Base

If not posted to sea and not on operational deployment most Medics are posted to the Naval Health Unit.  When deployed on Land Operations you usually work in small teams providing high quality medical care to a contingent of Defence Force personnel. At times you may work as part of a larger medical response team working alongside other health specialists. Whatever the situation, you will be well equipped (trained) to adapt to your operational environment.

Job on Deployment

When at sea, you may find yourself operating as an independent health provider in remote locations. You are responsible for medical operations on board and therefore the health and wellness of all personnel on board to ensure the ongoing functionality and operational readiness of the ships crew.

Career Progression

The first two and a half years of your medic career commences with full time study; first undertaking BCT, then completing your industry recognised and respected tertiary programmes through AUT.  Upon graduation you will gain a Graduate Diploma in Health Sciences qualification, which will  set you on the path towards a Bachelor of Health Sciences should you consider further study in the long term. Once you have completed training you will be required to give a three-year return of service to the Navy.

On completion of your training you will be posted both ashore to work in the Naval Health Unit at the Devonport naval base and for periods of time at sea. Opportunities exist for medics to deploy on international peacekeeping missions providing medical support to NZDF personnel and its allies. Medics are amongst the most frequently deployed trades within the Defence Force and are often called upon at short notice to assist in disasters and emergencies. As a consequence it is important that medics have a good standard of fitness in order to be fit to deploy at any time.

Pay & Benefit Details

The minimum remuneration you will be paid from day one is $33,256. Your remuneration will increase upon graduation of your recruit course to $40,000+ and will continue to increase on promotion and seniority.

General Requirements

  • You must be at least 17 years of age.

  • You must be a NZ citizen or have permanent residency and have lived in New Zealand for five years. 

  • You must be of good character – assessed by a study of testimonials and a police record check.

  • You must be free of any criminal convictions.

Educational Requirements

  • You must have completed at least three years at secondary school.

  • Have a minimum of 60 credits at level 2.

  • Have a minimum of 12 credits English, Maths and Science, pref Biology.

Fitness Requirements

You must be medically fit for service.

Training

Basic Training

Upon successful enlistment into the Navy you’ll be posted to Devonport Navy base in Auckland. Here you will do 13 weeks of basic military training to find out if you’ve got what it takes to be in the Navy, and learn various subjects including:

  • Teamwork/team support

  • Naval discipline and regulations

  • Physical fitness

  • Parade training.

Job Training

Medics are then posted to the Defence Health School in Christchurch where they undertake tertiary training, studying towards a Graduate Diploma in Health Science in conjunction with the Auckland University of Technology (AUT). Medics train with the other two services (Air Force and Army) and therefore you have the opportunity to get to know your peers and make some life long friends. The first year in the programme is the Diploma in Paramedic Science (Level 6). On completion of this, medics then enrol in the Graduate Diploma in Health Science (Level 6 and 7). Throughout the training medics are provided with complete academic support and clinical placements in both civilian and Navy environments, which allows them to integrate theory and class work with the challenge of real time medical practice and experience.

On completion of the Graduate Diploma, medics return to Devonport to begin their employment in the diverse and exciting field of naval medicine. Here they will be trained in the specific maritime nuances that come with being a medic at sea. The medic training programme is an exceptional opportunity; you will be studying for your qualifications whilst being paid by the Defence Force, you are obtaining an internationally recognised tertiary education through a reputable tertiary provider, and you have the opportunity to study further throughout your career.
 

Ongoing Training

There is also the opportunity for medics to continue their study towards a Bachelor of Health Science Paramedic (BHSc (Paramedicine)) or other tertiary study. This can be completed through the voluntary education study assistance (VESA) programme through TED.

Further Navy training will be provided throughout your career in both areas of medicine and leadership skills

Location Details

Initially all Medics conduct basic training at Devonport Naval Base. On completion the junior medics conduct their Basic Branch Training in Christchurch after which they return to Devonport Naval Base or get posted to sea.