Senior Medical Officers
Senior medical officers (SMOs) are doctors employed or contracted as consultants/specialists by MidCentral District Health Board (MDHB). They may be employed via Recruitment Agencies or by a direct approach to the DHB.
There are approximately 120 SMOs employed by MDHB. Its Medical Director provides strong leadership and support to medical colleagues and management, particularly in the area of clinical governance.
Palmerston North Hospital Ophthalmologist doing eye surgery
Palmerston North Hospital is a teaching hospital, and is associated with both Auckland and Otago Medical Schools. Hosting students in their final years under graduate training, provide post graduate training for those junior doctors in their “registration” year, as well as having accredited training posts from most colleges.
Most rotations provide junior medical staff support at House Officer and Registrar level and as first on call. There are opportunities for private practice in Palmerston North,
however, many Senior Medical staff are employed full time with MDHB.
Clinical Directors are responsible for implementing Clinical Governance in the patient lines. These directors are supported by Medical Heads of subspecialty groups, Allied Health Professional Advisors, and the Director of Nursing.
The Medical Reference Group provides a formal channel of two-way communication and a forum for discussion on professional and strategic areas of concern or interest.
Each clinical subspecialty has a Medical Head with responsibilities covering professional medical practice and standards, medical guidelines and policy, medical education, and research into clinical medical practices.
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Last Updated 29/11/2010