What does a Surgeon do?
Published 3 min read
A surgeon is a medical doctor who performs surgical operations.
Surgeon job duties include:
- Operate on patients to treat various conditions and diseases
- Examine patients to determine the best course of treatment
- Consult with other physicians to discuss cases and treatment options
- Supervise resident physicians and medical students during surgery
- Perform administrative duties such as keeping medical records and scheduling surgeries
- Research new surgical techniques and treatments
- Teach medical students and residents
- Write articles for medical journals
- Give lectures to medical professionals and the public
Surgeon Job Requirements
A surgeon must have a degree from an accredited medical school and complete a residency in their chosen specialty. They must also be licensed to practice medicine in their state. Most surgeons also complete a fellowship in their specialty after residency.
Surgeon Skills
- Analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Creativity
- Dexterity
- Hand-eye coordination
- Interpersonal skills
- Leadership skills
- Medical knowledge
- Organizational skills
- Physical stamina
- Problem-solving skills
Related: Top Surgeon Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Surgeon
There are many steps that must be taken in order to become a surgeon. The first is to complete an accredited medical degree, which takes four years. Once you have your medical degree, you must then complete a residency program in surgery, which takes an additional five to seven years. After completing your residency, you will need to obtain a license to practice medicine. In order to become board certified in surgery, you must pass an exam administered by the American Board of Surgery.
The best way to ensure that you are on the right track to becoming a surgeon is to shadow or work with a surgeon who is currently practicing. This will give you first-hand experience of what the job entails and whether or not it is something that you are interested in and suited for. It is also important to research the different types of surgery that are performed and to make sure that you are comfortable with them before making the decision to become a surgeon.
Related: Surgeon Resume Example