Vocational registration criteria 

Accident and Medical practitioners are categorised as trainees, advanced trainees or graduates. The criteria and prescribed training are as follows: 

 Notes:

1) Trainees are recommended to work with another doctor whose vocational standing is at least advanced trainee or equivalent in the field in which the experience is being obtained, or who is otherwise approved by AMPA, for example, an AMPA graduate or advanced trainee in respect of level two experience, a FACEM or senior registrar in respect of emergency department experience, or a vocationally registered general practitioner or registrar with Primex in the case of general practice experience. Time spent working alone without this level of direct supervision will not be recognised for accreditation purposes.

2) Advanced trainees may work alone, subject to MCNZ supervision criteria.

3) Graduates may work independently.

4) Board of Censors (BoC) approved primary

 AMPEX and the ACEM part 1 are the only approved primary examinations. The Board of Censors will review the list of acceptable alternative primary examinations annually, or at its discretion.

5) Four years’ experience

3,000 hours experience is required, with a minimum of 400 hours in any one year.

A year can be any 12-month period nominated by the trainee.

General practice experience or subspecialty ED experience (such as paediatric Emergency Department or other AMPA-approved) to a maximum of 500 hours is acceptable.

Experience is to be supervised per AMPA Education Committee standards.

A log of hours submitted as part of the Accident and Medical training programme is accepted as proof of hours.

6) Overseas experience

Verifiable overseas experience to a maximum of 1,000 hours will be accepted. 

Accident and medical care definition

AMPA defines Accident and Medical Care as primary care services that are episodic, with a no-appointments system, and covered by AMPA's training programme.

How do I become an Accident and Medical Practitioner?

Apply to the Board of Censors to join the training programme

Note that while it is possible to sit AMPEX and the DipCEM without joining the training programme, NZ A&M / ED experience worked before the date of application to the Board of Censors will not count towards A&M training.

Send the following information to the Board of Censors,  AMPA, 202 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland (partial applications are accepted).

1) Proof of clinical experience

a) NZ level two clinic or hospital ED experience

(Note: With regard to NZ A&M or ED experience only send in proof of hours that have been worked while on the training programme. Other hours are disregarded.)

Supply a copy of your training programme log book OR a letter from your employer or from a senior medical colleague validating this experience.  

An acceptable format would be as follows: "This is to certify that Dr _____ has worked for _____ hours from (commencement date) to (finishing date) providing accident and medical care, that is, primary care services that are episodic, with a no-appointments system, at (name of facility). We believe that the services provided are covered by AMPA's training programme. Our facility is open until 8pm seven days a week and has xray on site.

Signed (employer or senior medical colleague; position or qualification; contact details)"

b) General practice experience (up to 500 hours)

Simply state how many hours were worked, where, and when. AMPA will take responsibility for verifying this experience. GP  hours worked before joining the A&M training programme are still accepted.

c) Overseas  A&M or ED experience (up to 1,000 hours) 

Simply state how many hours were worked, where, and when, and confirm that the work consisted of A&M practice (as defined above) and was worked in a level two or three facility (see definition below). AMPA will take responsibility for verifying this experience. Overseas A&M  /ED hours worked before joining the A&M training programme are still accepted.

2) Proof of attainment of relevant qualifications

a) AMPEX OR ACEM part 1

b) PG Diploma of Community Emergency Medicine

Note: no other qualifications need be documented for Board of Censors purposes.

3) Statement regarding two years of supervised postgraduate general medical training

For example "I, Dr ___________ have completed two years of supervised postgraduate general medical training, including one pre-registration intern year and one year including posts in general medicine and/or surgery in full time supervised positions." This requirement was set by the MCNZ. 

General practice experience

AMPA does not provide training and recertification in the ongoing management of long term medical problems. The MCNZ recognises the RNZCGP as the group responsible for this aspect of primary care.

Doctors who provide ongoing care, irrespective of the ‘level’ of the facility in which the service is provided, should be vocationally registered as general practitioners, or practising under the oversight of a vocationally registered general practitioner per the Medical Practitioners' Act (1995).

Approved facilities

Standards New Zealand, in conjunction with AMPA, has developed standards for community based accident and medical clinics. Hospital standards are not being discussed. AMPA has stressed that the key features that distinguish an Accident and Medical Clinic from a general practice are the presence of x-ray on-site or within (covered) wheelchair distance and extended hours, e.g. 8am – 8pm seven days.

Training facilities

AMPA generally accepts Clinics that meet the above criteria and hospital Emergency Departments for Accident and Medical training purposes.

Facilities that nearly meet these criteria may be considered by AMPA individually with reference to other indicators of Accident and Medical functionality, including actual opening hours and how well these meet the needs of the community served, proximity of x-ray, dedicated plaster and resuscitation rooms, equipment levels, orthopaedic clinics on-site, and an assessment of whether the practitioners provide accident and medical care.