Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Thread: Questions for Radiographers

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    NZ
    Posts
    17

    Default Questions for Radiographers

    Hi There,

    From what I understand, all professionals who have studied over seas especially in specialised fields like radiography need to have some form of registration + work experience in order to work in NZ. I plan to take up radiography in the Philippines, and I was wondering if someone could help point me in the right direction as to what are the potential requirements for registration and what would be the best visa to come on etc.

    From what I gather, it seems having 2 years of work experience, then applying for a silver fern visa would be my best bet. If anyone could give me the names of any licensure exams, or links to websites which might have more information, it would be greatly appreciated.

    *edit*

    Besides a working holiday visa, is there any way I can come to NZ with no work experience (or gain work experience in NZ)?

    Sincerely.
    Last edited by synder; 22nd April 2013 at 01:43 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    37,822

    Default

    Here is the page about registering as a radiographer in order to practise in NZ. http://www.mrtboard.org.nz/qualified-overseas

    Radiography is on the Long-Term Skill Shortage List at the moment. The qualifications mentioned there are these.
    NZ registration. (Qualifications in this area of absolute skill shortage are: a Bachelor in Health Science specialising in Medical Radiation Therapy OR specialising in Medical Imaging)
    A person has to have a suitable visa to do any kind of work in NZ. You won't be able to work as a radiographer until you have registered - that organization on the first link will be the one to tell you if you can register without experience, so as to apply for Residence. Apart from a WHV or partner-sponsored work visa, there isn't a way to get an open visa (one which is not tied to a skill or skilled job).

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    4

    Default

    I'm an American radiographer in my fifth year working for Northland District Health Board at Whangarei Hospital. Your first step, after you are fully trained in radiologic technology, get on-the-job experience, and receive your Skilled Migrant Visa, will be to communicate with the MRTB (http://www.mrtboard.org.nz/) to find out whether you qualify on the basis of your diploma and experience to take their comprehensive clinical exam. After a 3-month internship at your choice of six teaching hospitals in NZ, two examiners from the Board will follow you through a normal workday at your hospital and ask questions about radiation physics, exposure techniques, positioning, anatomy, patient care---and the specific reasons for each of your decisions. These examiners will be experienced, currently working or supervising radiographers, and you'll have to know what you're doing, and why. If you pass (about two-thirds of overseas radiographers do pass), you'll be certified by the Board, receive your APC (Annual Practicing Certificate), and be eligible to prospect for a full-time job.

    Jobs for radiographers in NZ are becoming plentiful again after a few lean years recently, as you'll see if you visit Seek (http://www.seek.co.nz/), the primary site for job candidates in NZ. Salaries are good: between NZ$50K and NZ$90K per year, depending on your scope(s) of practice and experience.

    It's a long road, but worth it. This is the best job I've ever had, and my wife and I (she's a high-school English teacher) love living here.

    Good luck.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    37,822

    Default

    Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

    Since registration is now mandatory, do you know how the Board manage about immigrants, who have to be able to show they are at least eligible for registration in order to get their SMC visa? We've heard of other professions where they have some kind of 'associate' status or similar, for the internship phase.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    4

    Default

    In 2008, when I applied to the MRTB for permission to do x-ray in New Zealand, I was trading information on the old forum with two other radiographers seeking to emigrate: one, in Winnipeg, had 13 years of clinical experience; another, in Georgia, was a brand-new graduate of Armstrong Atlantic University's x-ray programme; I, the third, fell in the middle as a relatively recent graduate ('05) with three years' clinical experience.

    The Canadian was granted an APC for the asking, based on her significant hospital experience, and went directly to work at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland with a WRV. The Floridian was declined outright, with the advice that he re-apply after gaining actual work experience. I, again, fell in the middle when the Board declined to certify me immediately but invited me to prove my clinical competence with what was then called the CBA, or Competency Based Assessment (the same clinical exam is now called something else...can't remember what).

    I had to then arrange the CBA myself by contacting a hospital from the list they provided and negotiating a training position. The hospital does not have to pay the CBA candidate, and I was grateful that Whangarei Hospital agreed to pay me the base wage of a new-hire. Then, after the mandatory three-month practice internship, I had to pay NZ$2000 for the CBA exam. When I passed, the hospital hired me full-time and gave me a raise.

    So that's how the MRT Board manages with immigrants: they examine the academic credentials (mine had to go through the NZQA and be judged equivalent to the usual NZ qualification) and evaluate the amount and type of working experience; and then they either accept the radiographer unconditionally, conditionally, or not at all.

    I didn't have to prove my eligibility for registration to get the Skilled Migrant Visa, because my wife was the primary applicant for the SMV and I was the secondary, or partner. So yes, I had a kind of associate status during the internship phase, and, obviously, I couldn't have gone to work without earning the APC.

    I think a similar mechanism is in place for nurses wanted to emigrate.

    Hope this clarifies!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    37,822

    Default

    Thanks again for the further details.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    NZ
    Posts
    17

    Default

    Griffin thank you so much! This is really helpful. I am sending you a PM

    *edit*

    So basically what you are saying is I need to have a decent amount of work experience (especially since I am coming from the Philippines) in order to prove a decent amount of competency? What would be a good number for work experience especially for someone from my background?

    I am a little bit confused with the qualification exemptions. My school is part of a giant chain of schools, the school in front of us ( DSLU-D ) is part of the exemption of qualification assessments (BSc and BA I think). My degree is from the school literally across the road which is (DLSHSI), I have tried to email them but once again I got no response -.-

    Basically if there are any Filipino radiographers who could clarify this for me, or anyone who has advised someone like me? It would be much appreciated.

    Also, what are areas worth looking in to? Either because of interest or demand?
    Last edited by synder; 26th April 2013 at 01:09 AM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    New Zealand
    Posts
    4

    Default

    Hello, Synder. Sorry I didn't see this post until today, Tuesday. Yes, you'll have to have at least two years' full-time work experience in a hospital or other clinical setting before the NZMRTB will invite you to prove your competency in radiography with the clinical exam.

    As for areas or scopes of practice to go into, I have one word for you: sonography. Ultrasound technologists are absolutely in extreme demand everywhere and can often receive thousands in sign-up bonuses and very high salaries. In fact, most jobs listed on SEEK under "Medical Imaging" are for sonographers, who will always, it seems, be able to find jobs. Some ultrasound training programmes require you to be a radiographer first; others do not.

    Good luck. I'll watch this thread for your progress!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    singapore
    Posts
    1

    Default

    Hi Mr. griffin, my name is raymond, i am currently working in singapore as a radiographer, been here for couple of years now! i'm just wondering if i could ask you some question regarding on how to apply the mrtb licence in new zealand, i am quite amazed on your knowledge on this particular matter. I would love to work in new zealand and i don't know the first step to be done, i actually have no idea on how to start, can you give me some pointers? how can i acquire mrtb certificate and how to work in new zealand?? do i have to apply for internship there? do i have to pay them for the internship porgram? i hope you could answer me back cause this is bugging out for quite some time now. can exchange email address? i can't seems to send pm to you Mr. Griffin, mine is [Edited to remove email because of forum Rule 10. http://www.enz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=40236 Make five posts and the forum will automatically enable your ability to send and receive PMs.]. thanks ang best regards.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    cebu
    Posts
    2

    Default Hello Griffin,

    Quote Originally Posted by Griffin View Post
    In 2008, when I applied to the MRTB for permission to do x-ray in New Zealand, I was trading information on the old forum with two other radiographers seeking to emigrate: one, in Winnipeg, had 13 years of clinical experience; another, in Georgia, was a brand-new graduate of Armstrong Atlantic University's x-ray programme; I, the third, fell in the middle as a relatively recent graduate ('05) with three years' clinical experience.

    The Canadian was granted an APC for the asking, based on her significant hospital experience, and went directly to work at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland with a WRV. The Floridian was declined outright, with the advice that he re-apply after gaining actual work experience. I, again, fell in the middle when the Board declined to certify me immediately but invited me to prove my clinical competence with what was then called the CBA, or Competency Based Assessment (the same clinical exam is now called something else...can't remember what).

    I had to then arrange the CBA myself by contacting a hospital from the list they provided and negotiating a training position. The hospital does not have to pay the CBA candidate, and I was grateful that Whangarei Hospital agreed to pay me the base wage of a new-hire. Then, after the mandatory three-month practice internship, I had to pay NZ$2000 for the CBA exam. When I passed, the hospital hired me full-time and gave me a raise.

    So that's how the MRT Board manages with immigrants: they examine the academic credentials (mine had to go through the NZQA and be judged equivalent to the usual NZ qualification) and evaluate the amount and type of working experience; and then they either accept the radiographer unconditionally, conditionally, or not at all.

    I didn't have to prove my eligibility for registration to get the Skilled Migrant Visa, because my wife was the primary applicant for the SMV and I was the secondary, or partner. So yes, I had a kind of associate status during the internship phase, and, obviously, I couldn't have gone to work without earning the APC.

    I think a similar mechanism is in place for nurses wanted to emigrate.

    Hope this clarifies!
    Is it true that once you have a registration in MRTB. You can also work in Austrlia?

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •