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Surgeon

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Surgeon

Surgeon Career Details

Surgeons care for patients who may need an operation. They diagnose the problem, decide on appropriate action, operate, and monitor the patient after the operation. Patients may be referred to a surgeon by other hospital doctors and general practitioners, or through admission to an accident and emergency department.

Surgeons require in-depth knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, pathology and anatomy, and work in one of the nine surgical specialities including cardiothoracic surgery, general surgery, neurosurgery and plastic surgery.

The job of a consultant surgeon includes seeing patients in the outpatient clinic, leading a team of nurses and other doctors in the operating theatre, and making ward rounds to see patients before and after surgery. They make notes for patient records and write letters to general practitioners, advising them of their patients’ condition and treatment.

They are also responsible for training and supervising more junior doctors and other health care professionals in the hospital. Some surgeons carry out research and write papers for publication.

Working Environment

Surgeons work long and unsocial hours including nights, weekends and on-call duty. New European legislation will reduce the number of hours worked, but surgeons will still be expected to work unsocial hours as part of their working week and on-call duty. Opportunities for flexible working, part-time work and job sharing are available.

Surgeons work in operating theatres, hospital wards and consulting rooms, wearing protective clothing during operations.

Operations can be physically demanding and stressful, requiring long periods of standing and bending.

Surgeon Related Skills

To be a surgeon you should:
  • have an interest in and concern for the well-being of patients
  • have excellent communication skills
  • be able to put people at their ease and inspire their trust and confidence
  • work well in and be able to lead a team
  • be able to work under pressure and make quick clear decisions
  • work consistently to high professional standards
  • be prepared to continually update your knowledge and learn new techniques
  • have excellent practical skills and manual dexterity
  • be able to train, teach and supervise staff
  • have an interest and ability in science.

Surgeon Career Opportunities

Most of the 14,000 surgeons in the UK work in the NHS. A small but increasing number work in hospitals in the private sector. Many NHS surgeons take on private patients.

Competition for posts can be fierce and relocation to progress through the training grades is likely. Surgeons begin independent practice as a consultant, normally between the ages of 32 and 34.

Further Career Information

If you would like to know more about a career as an Surgeon related facts, statistics, articles and websites.

Career Steps

Not quite sure about a career as a Surgeon? Try our step-by-step career guide to reaching your chosen career.

Career Courses

Not quite qualified to be a Surgeon? Take a look at Postgraduate Surgeon courses, Undergraduate Surgeon courses, our course browses or use our search form and find courses which will help you on your chosen career path.