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About the role Career progression and training Salary and benefits Entry requirements Service Army Specialisation Army Reserve Location Auckland, Linton, Burnham, Dunedin Initial daily rate $176

About the role

Combat Medical Technicians (CMT) as part of the Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps (RNZAMC) provide the New Zealand Army with vital medical support in both the battlefield and field hospital environments.

As a CMT in the Army Reserve you will be trained across a variety of different specialist skills within the four main roles below. Your training will be within trauma skills and cover several areas including First Aid, Combat Life Saving, Advanced Trauma, Ambulance and Resuscitation skills. All of this is delivered in parallel with the soldiering profession, such as the development of infantry skills and tactics.

Although CMT is the only medical trade offered by the Army Reserves, we are very interested in individuals who may come to us with a variety of civilian qualifications. Doctors, Nurses, Paramedic’s, Firefighters, Lawyers, project managers, police and data analysts number amongst our team and we welcome anyone with an interest in conducting medical tasks within the combat battlespace.

The RNZAMC is unique within the NZ Army in that its regular and reserve forces occupy two distinct trades. Regular personnel (RF) are in the medic trade and reserve personnel are in the Combat Medical Technician (CMT) trade.

Career progression and training

Training Overview

MOD 1

MOD 2

Corps Training

Initial training consists of three stages which equates to approximately 7 weeks of training. Module 1 (Introduction to the New Zealand Army and Reserve Force service) is conducted throughout the calendar year, with Module 2 (Basic Training) & Corps Training (Initial Trade Specific Coursing) taking place in November, December and January of a given year.

Module 1 (Introduction to the New Zealand Army and Reserve Force service) is conducted across New Zealand at specified times throughout the calendar year. This course is run in Auckland (Whangaparāoa Leadership Centre or RNZAF Base Auckland, Whenuapai), Wellington (Trentham Military Camp) or Christchurch (Burnham Military Camp). Your Candidate Engagement Facilitator will outline the intended MOD 1 location as part of your initial application to join the ResF. 

Module 2 (Basic Training) is conducted at Waiouru Military Camp. This is a 38 day residential course, taking place across November, December and January of a given year (duration accounts for leave period over the Christmas and New Year period).

Corps Training(initial trade specific training) is a further modularised residential course conducted in Palmerston North (Linton Military Camp), at the Deployable health Organisation. Course dates for this component are yet to be determined. 

MODULE 1 - Introduction to the New Zealand Army and Reserve Force Service

The purpose of this stage of training is to familiarise recruits with the Army, and Reserve Force service prior to their attendance at the Recruit Territorial Force All Corps Basic (Module 2 - Basic Training).

This is a two day introduction to life in the Army. Over this period, you will be attested into the New Zealand Army, learn the basics of drill and command, Military Law, the Ethos and Values of the NZ Army and the particulars of Reserve Force service. You will also be taught how to live and operate within the military environment and learn about the standards that are required of you as a soldier.

MODULE 2 - Basic Training 

The aim of this course is to develop the individual skill set required of a soldier operating at a basic level of capability. This stage of training is a 38 day residential course conducted upon your arrival at Waiouru Military Camp.

During this stage of your training you will be introduced to:

Drill First Aid Operate and communicate utilising in-service communication systems Introduction to the Individual Weapon, Modularised Assault Rifle System – Light (IW MARS-L) and light support weapon (LSW-C9) Live firing on the range in order to qualify on the IW MARS-L Annual Weapons Qualification Introduction to and qualification on the high explosive grenade Living in a field environment, including: patrolling procedures,operating in a rifle section, andfieldcraft and battlecraft Introduction to Physical Training, including the Army Fitness Test, swim test and timed pack walk, and A broadened understanding of military law, including “The Laws of Armed Conflict”

This stage of initial training concludes with a recruit's graduation from the NZ Army training establishment - The Army Depot. Recruits will graduate as a fully qualified soldier (rank of Private/Sapper/Gunner/Trooper/Signaller) in the NZ Army’s Reserve Force, ready to progress on to initial trade specific coursing.

Corps Training - Initial Trade Specific Coursing

Initial trade specific coursing differs across the various Army corps. The purpose of initial trade specific coursing is to provide personnel with the necessary basic trade specific skills required of their respective corps.

All personnel will continue to build on the foundational knowledge obtained through Basic Training, with trade specific and ongoing training continuing to refine outputs focused on operations within the combat battlespace. All personnel will train annually to maintain the tenets of the soldiering profession (Move, Shoot, Communicate and Medicate). 

As a CMT in the Army Reserve you will be trained across a variety of different specialist skills within the four main roles below. Your training will be within trauma skills and cover several areas including First Aid, Combat Life Saving, Advanced Trauma, Ambulance and Resuscitation skills. All of this is delivered in parallel with the soldiering profession, such as the development of infantry skills and tactics.

During this course you will be introduced to the role, equipment, procedures and drills involved in becoming a Combat Medical Technician.

This course covers the skillset across the four pillars within a deployed health Task Unit that a CMT will occupy. You will conduct collective training across the following proponents:

Ambulance Team: Driver, Ambulance Team: Second Medic, Medical Detachment: Third Medic, Light Dependency Unit (LDU): Second Medic.

This course will provide you with the necessary skills to be a functioning element within a deployed health Task Unit. Unit training will continue to build on your training and further develop your skills in your chosen trade. 

Collective training objectives of the Army Reserve Combat Medical Technician profession, and the fundamentals of soldiering are continually refined as part of your continued annual training compliance.

Salary and benefits

As a Reservist you are paid on an hourly rate rather than a salary. Pay rates depend on the role you are in and your rank; your pay will increase as you move through the ranks.

As an Army Reserve soldier, the minimum remuneration you will be paid from day one is a daily rate of $176 including holiday pay, plus 4% Kiwisaver employer contributions. Your remuneration will increase on promotion and seniority.

$176

Initial daily rate

Entry requirements

Basics

Education

Fitness and Medical

Citizenship

You must be at least 17 years of age Preferably hold a Class 1 restricted driver's licence No health experience is necessary to apply for this position but you must be prepared to pursue medic/paramedic related studies.

3 years secondary school.

Note, that qualifications may be used to assess trade suitability.

You must be medically fit for service. Colour perception restrictions may apply.

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required CV security clearance for this trade.

Find out if you’re eligiblehere.

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