Posted by drsa from IP 205.188.116.206 on April 26, 2007 at 17:51:33:
In Reply to: How about Australia or New Zealand? posted by Geeti on April 26, 2007 at 16:02:23:
ECFMG certification means little in Australia or NZ. You would need to approach some specific hospitals and determine whether they have intern positions available. The vast majority of these are filled by Australian/NZ medical school graduates in addition to a few from the UK. Occasionally, there are a couple of intern spots left unfilled. Most commonly, these are in less than desirable hospitals/locations (ie-rural and underserved areas). If such a position is located, you would need to apply to the hospital. If you are offered the position, a signed contract would be needed for the complicated visa (for Australia it would likely be a 457 long-stay visa) application/process. They will require all of the credentials (and then some) as supplied for ECFMG (no, they will not accept the ECFMG as evidence of credentialing). You will also need a medical exam and certificate, CXR and some serology (Hep C, Hep B and HIV).
This discussion is likely a moot point now, as the intern year begins in January. If you wish to pursue this route, July/Aug would be the time to start the process for Jan '08. Keep cognizant that if you complete the intern year and RMO-1, RMO-2, these will NOT be recognized in the US. For full licensure/specialist privileges, one has to pass the Royal College exams (not at all easy).
Many IMGs/FMGs complain about the US licensure/residency process. The Australian/Kiwi process is more complicated and restrictive.