Surgeon works in a variety of healthcare settings. They perform surgical procedures and must communicate effectively with patients and their families before, during, and after surgery.
An online survey involving surgeons, nurses, and patients revealed a multifaceted definition of a great surgeon. Besides dexterity, human qualities seem to be as important as knowledge.
Surgeons are medical professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases and injuries to the human body. The education and training of surgeons is very rigorous and lengthy. First, a surgeon must obtain a bachelor degree, usually in a health sciences related major such as biology, chemistry or health science. Then, a surgeon must complete medical school earning either an Osteopathic Medical Degree (DO degree) or Allopathic Medical Degree (MD degree). After graduating from medical school, a surgeon will then begin a surgical residency which can last up to nine years.
During this time, the surgeon will rotate through different departments within the hospital and learn all aspects of surgery. During this process, the surgeon will be taught by senior residents and attending physicians. The surgeon will also take on responsibilities and work with the foundation doctors and trainees working in their department.
After completing a surgical residency, a surgeon will then be required to pass both a national and state medical license exam. A surgeon who receives an MD degree will take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and a surgeon who receives a DO degree will take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam (COMLEX).
Once a surgeon has passed their medical licensing exams, they will then be eligible to pursue board certification in their chosen specialty of surgery. This is a highly regulated process overseen by the American Board of Medical Specialties and its 24 member boards.
As the surgical education landscape continues to evolve, many surgical professional societies and institutions have started faculty development programs geared towards teaching surgeons how to teach their future generation of colleagues and how to develop as educational leaders at their home institutions. These programs help surgeons to grow and thrive in their careers.
There are also a number of fellowship opportunities available to surgeons who are interested in furthering their educational scholarship and research skills. One of these is the Association for Surgical Education’s Surgical Education and Leadership Fellowship (SELF) which is a one year fellowship that allows surgeons to better their knowledge and skills in teaching, education and leadership in surgical education. The other is the Surgical Education Research Fellowship (SERF) which provides a one-year, home-site fellowship that equips fellows with the tools and techniques to conduct scholarly research in medical education.
Responsibilities
Surgeons have the responsibility of treating patients with medical conditions that may require surgery. They also direct and manage surgical staff members during the procedure, which can last for as long as 12 hours depending on the type of surgery. A skilled surgeon is comfortable working calmly and diligently in high-stress medical situations and has excellent interpersonal skills.
Before performing a surgery, surgeons examine patients and make diagnoses. They then determine whether a patient needs to undergo a specific surgical procedure and what the associated risks are. During the actual operation, surgeons follow established surgical techniques and adhere to regulatory and ethical protocols. After a surgery, surgeons provide postoperative treatment and help patients manage their recovery.
Some surgeons work in hospitals while others have private practices. In addition to ensuring the quality of their work, surgeons are responsible for scheduling appointments and managing billing and insurance issues. They must keep detailed records of all surgical procedures. Some surgeons specialize in outpatient procedures that do not require a hospital stay, but they still must work with other healthcare providers to manage the patient’s overall care.
Surgeons with a keen interest in advancing their medical knowledge often participate in research, committee work and education activities. They also provide ongoing education and training for other doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. For those who wish to continue their professional development, a doctor can earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, which are needed to remain on the General Medical Council (GMC) register.
For those with an interest in military medicine, surgeons can pursue opportunities with the United States Navy, Air Force or Army. These positions come with a variety of benefits, including financial compensation, opportunities to attend medical military conferences and stipend programs that allow qualified surgeons to repay student loans.
Developing a surgeon job description is essential to prompting the right candidates for your facility. Use this surgeon job description as a guide and modify it to suit your specific hiring needs.
Work Environment
A surgeon’s work environment is typically highly demanding, high-pressure and requires precision and detail-orientation. They are required to work long hours, including evenings and weekends on an on-call roster. They also often spend time in hospital wards, accident and emergency units and operating theatres which must be completely sterile.
The work of a Surgeon is incredibly rewarding, but can be emotionally draining as they frequently encounter life-and-death situations and patients with serious and sometimes terminal conditions. The constant emotional stress and pressure can lead to burnout for some surgeons.
Surgeons usually work in private hospitals and day surgery centres, as well as large public hospitals. They operate on both children and adults, primarily on the basis of referral from general practitioners or other medical professionals. They consult with patients, other doctors and family members to decide on the best surgical procedure and explain the operation to them before it is undertaken. They also perform preoperative assessments and diagnoses, prescribe sedatives, diets, antibiotics and preparation and treatment for the patient prior to surgery.
Many surgeons also undertake research to keep abreast of new developments in surgery and techniques. This may be formal, such as a PhD or clinical trials, or informal, such as departmental audits or presentations to specialist surgical societies. In addition, they are able to supervise surgical assistants, nurses and medical students, which can provide great career advancement opportunities.
Surgeons tend to have a strong interest in the Thinking (Research) interest area of the Holland Code framework, which suggests they are interested in learning about and increasing their understanding of natural laws. This is particularly important in their professional lives as they must continuously be able to keep up with new advances in surgery and the ever-changing healthcare landscape. They also need to be able to communicate effectively with their colleagues and patients, both in person and over the phone or email.
Career Opportunities
Surgeons use their extensive medical knowledge and expertise to perform life-saving operations. The path to becoming a surgeon is long and requires substantial commitment and dedication. Whether this career is right for you depends on your values and long-term goals, and how much you’re willing to sacrifice other opportunities to achieve it. Some of the challenges include high levels of responsibility, extensive training and education, and a physically demanding work environment.
Most surgeons work in a hospital setting, where they often perform complex procedures and act as first assist for other surgeons. Some surgeons, such as those who specialize in ophthalmology, plastic surgery, or oral surgery, may have their own offices outside of the hospital.
Some surgeons are called into action on a moment’s notice to treat patients experiencing emergencies, such as accidents or natural disasters. This can result in working unusual hours, and can lead to stressful situations for both the surgeons and their staff.
After graduating from medical school, DOs or MDs typically enter into a surgical residency program that is five years in length. During this time, they will gain hands-on clinical experience under the supervision of experienced surgeons. Those who wish to specialize in particular types of surgery can pursue clinical surgical fellowships that are one to three years in length.
Once a surgeon is licensed, they can practice in several different settings including private practice, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and the uniformed services. Surgeons who choose to join the military can enjoy many benefits, including salary compensation based on rank or grade, health insurance, assistance in repaying guaranteed student loans, and opportunity to attend medical military conferences.
Surgeons can find their best fit based on their personality and values, as well as their educational background and experiences. Personality traits that are common among surgeons include being intellectual, introspective, and curious. They’re also independent, stable, genuine, and persistent.
