Medical Student Electives at the UOW
2013 Applications – Closed
2014 Applications - Open 1 March 2013 – 31 May 2013
About Electives at the University of Otago, Wellington
A limited number of elective positions are available here at the University of Otago, Wellington for positions at Wellington Regional Hospital. Only genuine FINAL year Medical students from recognised medical schools are eligible for such electives. Please note that all requests for elective placements should be directed to the contact addresses below and NOT directly to the hospital or a specific consultant. Postgraduate overseas electives/Internships for graduating Medical Doctors are organized through the Hospitals directly.
Elective placements are only offered for a period of 4-8 weeks with a maximum of 2 disciplines per elective. No elective placements are offered during the months of December and January. Whilst we will try and match students’ requests with positions that are available, naturally our own students have priority in the choice of attachments.
Applications/enquires are open strictly from 1st March - 31st May of the year before you require an elective placement. No applications will be considered outside this time period. Applications for Surgery (General and Paediatric) are open from November of the year before you require an elective placement, and must be made through the Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia.
There is a non-refundable administration fee of $NZ850.00 incurred for successful candidates.
How to apply
If you are interested in an elective placement here in Wellington, please email the Elective Coordinator between March 1st and 31st May of the year before you require an elective placement, outlining the following:
- the exact dates of your elective placement.
- the length required of the elective placement
- the specialties you are interested in, in order of preference
- a letter of recommendation from your University that includes confirmation of the year you will be in at the commencement of the elective.
- an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- If English is not your first language, you must provide proof of a satisfactory standard in spoken and written English.
After initial contact has been made the elective coordinator will be in touch to discuss further. If your request cannot be met, we will advise you accordingly.
Disciplines offered
- Accident & Emergency
- Anaesthesia
- Cardiology
- Ear, Nose & Throat (Limited Space)
- Endocrinology
- Genetics
- Intensive Care
- General Medicine
- Nephrology
- Neurology
- Oncology/Haematology
- Paediatrics (limited space)
- Pathology
- Public Health – Research
- Psychological Medicine (Limited space)
- Radiology (Limited space)
- Surgery (General & Paediatric) – applications open November
Currently Urban General Practice & Rural General Practice, Obstetrics & Gynaecology are NOT AVAILABLE due to all available places being taken up by our own students
Rules and Regulations
- During your elective in New Zealand you will have the same status and responsibilities as our own final year medical students, which includes limitations on prescribing drugs, and on unsupervised examination and treatment of patients.
- Elective students will be responsible to the Dean, University of Otago-Wellington through their Supervisor, for the period of the elective attachment. Students are not permitted to undertake paid employment during their elective attachment and will be expected to comply with the standing regulations of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Otago.
- Students will be expected to adopt appropriate dress standards. An identification badge will be provided which must be worn while on the hospital campus
- If English is not your first language, you must provide proof of a satisfactory standard in spoken and written English.
- It is your responsibility to arrange malpractice insurance and personal health insurance for the duration of your elective attachment.
- Any planned holiday must be arranged outside the dates of the elective attachment.
- On arrival you will be required to produce an updated copy of your Student Health record, which must include the following:
A negative nasal swab result for MRSA (taken within 6 weeks before start of elective).
Mantoux test status (within 6 months before start of elective) or Chest X-ray confirming your TB status.
Blood test results for:
ANTI-HBs (Hepatitis B Vaccine antibody)
Measles antibody
Mumps antibody
Rubella antibody
Varicella-Zoster antibody - If you require an assessment report please hand this to your Supervisor.
- Please refer to our accommodation webpage for accommodation options - you are responsible for arranging your own accommodation.
Accommodation webpage
Visa Requirements
Information regarding visa requirements can be found at: www.immigration.govt.nz
Further information
If you are interested in an elective at the University of Otago, Wellington, please contact: Elective Co-ordinator: undergradstudent.uow@otago.ac.nz
The Department of Surgery and Anaesthesia runs a Clinical Elective Experience for Overseas Students.
Applications for this 2013 elective programme are now open.
Due to an increased number of domestic students we will have very limited space for overseas elective students in 2013 (minimum 4 weeks - maximum 8 weeks).Applications will close on 31st OCT.
Please complete theapplication form and forward to jennabeth.fuge@otago.ac.nz if you are interested.