The healthcare sector in New Zealand makes up a vital part of the well-being of a country’s people and plays a significant role in the upkeep of the economy. The rising need for proper medical facilities and stable healthcare has led to the growing popularity of the medical profession and professionals, be it doctors, nurses, or midwives. The healthcare sector calls for myriad responsibilities, primary of which is catering satisfactorily to the growing demand. At the same time, it’s opened several opportunities for those planning to step into it.
An overview of the healthcare sector in New Zealand
Every country has a different healthcare system in place, and if you happen to be considering developing your career as a healthcare professional in a particular country, you need to be aware of the systems they have in place. Here, we are concerned solely with New Zealand, and I will proceed directly to enumerate how our healthcare system works.
NZ has both a public as well as a private healthcare system. Both of them offer high-quality care. The public sector is considerably larger, making up 83% of the total spending within the industry. A little over 10% of the country’s GDP is dedicated to healthcare.
If you are considering setting up a practice in New Zealand, rest assured that you will be welcomed in the country with open arms.
However, there are some things that you need to keep in mind before you become a part of the country’s healthcare sector.
Do your homework
And we don’t mean in medical school. With a wide range of opportunities at your disposal, you need to pick one which fits you and your skills best.
As a medical professional, you may have an area of expertise, and you need to consider where they might fit best and apply accordingly.
Additionally, know the requirements and qualifications recognized in New Zealand so that you don’t end up in a miserable soup.
Networking is vital
Medical professionals tend to have councils and organisations of their own, allowing them to communicate and network. These councils are either regional or national.
Additionally, you get your credentials and qualifications verified by registering as a member of one of these organisations. This will not only help you develop a rapport with others in the profession but will also provide you with more opportunities.
Take the necessary steps.
A healthcare professional new to any country should register themselves with the appropriate medical body so that you can practise your profession. For the healthcare sector in New Zealand, these include membership with the Medical Council of New Zealand (if you are a doctor) and the Nursing Council of New Zealand (if you are a nurse).
More importantly, you need to make sure you got the right visa, and other documents are in place if you are planning to migrate to New Zealand.
Finding a suitable job
The fact that New Zealand is facing something of a skill shortage, zeroing in on one particular option is not going to be an easy task, but doable.
Start by doing searches for job openings online. Pay close attention not just to the skills and experience they require, but also what credentials and requirements hospitals and other healthcare facilities need. This is particularly crucial if you’re joining the healthcare sector in New Zealand from another country.
The healthcare sector in New Zealand is fast growing into one of the most essential and popular industries in the country. Being a part of this is worth the effort you will have to invest in establishing yourself as a professional and as an individual.
