What does a General Surgeon do?
Published 4 min read
A general surgeon is a medical doctor who performs surgery on patients.
General Surgeon job duties include:
- Explains procedures and risks to patients
- Performs surgeries
- Makes incisions in the skin
- Closes incisions with stitches, staples, or skin adhesives
- Treats postoperative patients
- Removes cancerous tissue
- Reconstructs body parts
- Monitors patients' vital signs
- Orders and interprets diagnostic tests
General Surgeon Job Requirements
A general surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in surgery. Education requirements for becoming a general surgeon include completing a four-year undergraduate degree, followed by four years of medical school and five years of residency training in surgery. After completing their residency, surgeons must obtain a license to practice medicine. In addition, they must also pass a board certification exam administered by the American Board of Surgery. General surgeons typically have several years of experience working in a hospital setting before they enter into private practice.
General Surgeon Skills
- Surgical skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Organizational and time management skills
- Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
- Detail-oriented
- Knowledge of surgical procedures and techniques
- Knowledge of medical equipment and instruments
- Ability to work long hours
- Physical stamina and strength
- Emotional stability
- Dexterity
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How to become a General Surgeon
Becoming a General Surgeon
A general surgeon is a medical doctor who performs surgery on patients. They may also be referred to as surgical specialists. To become a general surgeon, one must complete four years of medical school and then complete a five-year residency in surgery. Some surgeons also choose to complete a fellowship, which is an additional two to three years of training in a specific area of surgery.
The first step to becoming a general surgeon is to obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. It is important to get good grades in all of your classes, but especially in science and math courses, as these will be important for your future studies. Once you have obtained your degree, you will need to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This test is used to help determine if you are ready for the rigors of medical school.
After you have been accepted to medical school, you will spend four years completing your medical degree. During this time, you will take classes such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology. You will also complete clinical rotations, which will give you hands-on experience working with patients. After you have completed medical school, you will then need to complete a five-year residency in surgery. During your residency, you will receive training in all aspects of surgery, including trauma surgery, pediatric surgery, and cardiothoracic surgery.
Once you have completed your residency, you may choose to pursue a fellowship. Fellowships are optional and usually last two to three years. During a fellowship, you will receive training in a specific area of surgery that interests you. For example, you may choose to pursue a fellowship in trauma surgery or cardiothoracic surgery. After completing your fellowship, you will be eligible to take the American Board of Surgery examination. This exam is necessary for becoming board certified and practicing as a general surgeon.
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