Surgeons

Career summary

#No alternate titles

Surgery is used to remove or repair damage to the body from injury or disease. Surgeons repair organs and blood vessels, determine the location and extent of disorders such as cancer, and repair bones and tissue after injuries.

Most surgeons specialize in one area of the body or one type of disorder.

• Orthopedic surgeons repair bone and joint injuries and disorders.
• Neurosurgeons treat disorders of the spinal cord and brain.
• Thoracic surgeons treat the heart, lungs, and vessels in the chest.

Before surgery, surgeons meet with patients. They ask questions to learn about a patient's medical history. They also examine patients and, if necessary, order lab tests. They also consult with the patients' other health care providers. Surgeons explain procedures they will use during surgery and answer patients' questions.

In the operating room, surgeons work with teams of people that include nurses, anesthesiologists, and surgical technicians. Surgeons assign tasks to team members. They make sure everything is sterile and all safety precautions are followed.

After the operation, surgeons make sure patients receive proper care. They check in with patients to see how they are responding to surgery.

Surgeons share similar tasks with other types of physicians, they:

• Assign tasks to nurses and other health care workers
• Consult with other health care professionals
• Oversee the business aspects of running an office
• Keep detailed records about each patient
• Write reports for insurance companies and government agencies

Some surgeons teach at medical schools. They may also do research on procedures and treatments for disease. Surgeons must stay current on advances in medicine. Lasers and computer technology have changed the way many operations are performed. Surgeons learn new skills by working with other surgeons and taking classes.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Anesthesiologists
• Chiropractors
• Dentists
• Family and General Practitioners
• Internists
• Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• Podiatrists
• Veterinarians

Military careers

• Physicians and Surgeons

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to surgeons.

• Meet with patients to gather background information. Analyze medical history, allergies, and general condition.
• Examine patients to find the location of the health problem.
• Order lab tests to help make a diagnosis.
• Refer patients to other health care professionals as needed.
• Recommend surgical procedures to patients.
• Make sure operating room and equipment are sterile.
• Operate on patients.
• Assign tasks to members of the operating team.
• Monitor patients' health after surgery.
• Keep detailed records on patients.
• Write reports for insurance companies.
• May do research and write articles for journals.
• May teach in medical schools.
• Take classes to update skills.

Common work activities

Surgeons perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Assist and care for others
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Document and record information
• Analyze data or information
• Get information needed to do the job
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Perform for or work with the public
• Process information
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Evaluate information against standards
• Schedule work and activities
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Think creatively
• Teach others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Develop goals and strategies
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Control machines and processes
• Perform administrative tasks
• Use computers
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Coach others
• Develop and build teams
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Recruit, interview, or hire others
• Handle and move objects
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Monitor and control resources

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, surgeons:

Interpersonal relationships

• Are substantially responsible for the health and safety of patients.
• Have a high level of social contact. They work with patients and other health care workers on a daily basis.
• May sometimes be placed in conflict situations in which patients and their family members may be emotional or difficult.
• Are responsible for the work done by members of the operating room team.
• Communicate daily by phone, letters, memos, and in person. They use e-mail, but less frequently.
• Usually work as part of a team of medical professionals.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors.
• Often wear a special uniform, such as a lab coat or surgical scrubs.
• Often wear protective or safety attire, such as gloves and masks.
• Are exposed to infection and diseases from contact with patients on a daily basis.
• Work very near others. They must come into close physical contact with patients during procedures.
• Are exposed to radiation and contaminants on a weekly basis.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work and be sure all details are complete. Errors or omissions could seriously endanger the health and safety of patients.
• May repeat the same physical and mental tasks.
• Make decisions on a daily basis that substantially impact patients and their families.
• Make nearly all their decisions and set their daily tasks and goals independently.
• Work in a competitive, stressful atmosphere where they must meet daily deadlines.

Hours/travel

• Usually work at least 40 hours per week.
• May be on-call for emergencies.
• May work nights or weekends if an emergency room surgeon.
• May have an unpredictable schedule if an emergency room surgeon.

Physical demands

Surgeons frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for surgeons to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for surgeons to be able to:

• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.

Skills and abilities

Surgeons need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.

Use math and science

• Use scientific methods to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Teach others how to do something.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Medicine

Other programs of study to consider

• Advanced Dentistry and Oral Surgery
• Osteopathic Medicine
• Pre-Medicine
• Surgical Technology

Training

To work as a surgeon, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree;
• graduate from medical school;
• complete an internship;
• pass a state licensing exam;
• complete a five-year residency program in surgery; and
• pass additional exams to become board certified.

Education after high school

To become a licensed doctor, you must complete medical school. Medical schools grant a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DOM) degree. You spend the first two years of medical school in classrooms and labs. You study anatomy, biochemistry, and medicines. You also learn how to take a medical history, examine patients, and make a diagnosis. During the next two years, you work in hospitals and clinics under the supervision of physicians.

You usually need a bachelor's degree to get into medical school. While you do not need to be a pre-medicine or science major, these programs are good preparation. If you earn a liberal arts degree, be sure to take courses in physics, biology, and chemistry.

On-the-job training

While in medical school, you spend two years working as an intern in a hospital or clinic. As an intern, you rotate through internal medicine, family medicine, obstetrics, oncology, and other hospital departments.

After medical school, surgeons must complete a five-year residency program in surgery. While you are a resident, you are paid. Residents usually work in hospitals. After residency, you take additional exams in surgical medicine to become board certified.

Military training

The military provides advanced training for surgeons. However, it does not provide the initial training to become a doctor. Scholarships for advanced medical training are available in return for a required period of military service.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements . You need a very strong background in math and science to become a doctor. Take as many math and science courses as you can.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Computer Applications
• Food and Nutrition
• Foreign Language
• Introduction to Health Care
• Nursing
• Safety and First Aid

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Some surgeons work for the hospital where they completed their residency. Others begin working in a group practice.

The hiring process begins with a background check of the applicant. Employers evaluate past work experience and malpractice lawsuit records. The applicants are interviewed by several of the doctors from the facility they are applying to. Employers look for applicants with good communication skills. They look for surgeons who can relate to many different people that come to the practice for care.

Costs to workers

Surgeons who join professional associations may pay membership fees and annual dues. They may also attend courses, seminars, and workshops to update their knowledge and keep up to date on changes in their field.

Surgeons who have borrowed money to pay school expenses have large debt payments for the first few years after graduation. The average debt for medical students who graduated in 2018 was $196,520 with 83% percent owing at least $100,000. Malpractice insurance is expensive. To enter private practice, practitioners must invest in equipment, office space, and staffing costs. Estimated costs range from $75,000 to $100,000 or more.

#updated with cj's data 3/20/14 lh. Updated with data from Leo (https://www.aamc.org/download/152968/data/debtfactcard.pdf) 4/8/15 cj. updatd with data from Carol 3/31/16 lh. Updated debt info from AAMC First 2016 debt card linked to from this page https://students-residents.aamc.org/financial-aid/ 1/31/17 cj. Updated debt data 3/12/19 cj.

Licensing/certification

Surgeons must be licensed by the State of Washington as either medical or osteopathic physicians. Licensing requirements include:

• a good moral character;
• physical and mental capability to safely perform the duties of a physician;
• completion of a four-year doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathic medicine program at an approved medical school;
• one year (osteopathic physician) or two years (medical physician) approved post-graduate training;
• completion of four- (medical physician) or seven- (osteopathic physician) clock hours AIDS education; and
• passing a national written exam.

For more information on the US Medical Licensing Exam, call 215.590.9500 or go to the National Board of Medical Examiners  website.

Osteopathic doctors must complete 150 hours of continuing education every three years and medical doctors must complete 200 hours of continuing education every four years.

Licensing fees vary ranging from $491 (medical physicians) to $391 (osteopathic physicians) for the application. The annual renewal fee for osteopathic physicians is $441 and the biannual renewal fee for medical physicians is $657. The combined fee for an application and state exam for osteopathic practitioners is $516. The licensing and the renewal fees generally include an access fee for health-related online library journals and publications and a Washington physician health program surcharge.

For more information on medical doctors, contact:

Washington Medical Commission 
PO Box 47866
Olympia, WA 98504-7866
360.236.2750

For information on osteopathic doctors, contact:

Washington State Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7865
360.236.4700

#Checked licensing info, added CTW content, no changes to lic fees, 3/8/11, cj. Lh 6/12. Info ok 5/6/13 & 4/8/15 cj. no change as of 3/31/16 lh or 1/31/17 cj. 4/3/18 lh, 3/12/19 cj.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Surgeons 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

#In Washington, the average entry-level wage for surgeons is $85.87 per hour ($14,884 per month).

#Updated ES wage info 08.15 sd

#According to a survey done by ECG Management Consultants, Inc., general surgeons in the state earn about $220,000 per year. Source: ECG survey cited in "Docs Brace for Cuts," PSBJ, Dec 3-9, 2004, p.1 & 43. CJ 5/12/05. Decided not to use this data.

Wages vary by years of experience, specialty, area of the country, and hours worked. The doctor's skill, personality, and professional reputation also affect wages. Self-employed surgeons generally earn more than those who are not self-employed.

Surgeons who work full time in a group practice generally receive benefits such as paid vacation and health insurance. 

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

#Between 2014 and 2024, it is estimated that there will be 17 openings annually due to new positions and 31 openings annually from workers leaving this career.

#Updated outlook 06.16 sd

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Doctors' offices
• Hospitals
• Federal, state, and local government agencies

National outlook

Demand for surgeons will show little to no change. As the population grows, the number of surgical procedures will increase. In addition, elderly people are more likely than younger people to need surgery. However, the increase in preventatitve methods such as therapy can reduce the need for surgery. In addition, surgical technologists can perform some of the duties that surgeons previously did.

Other resources

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine 
5550 Friendship Boulevard, Suite 310
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
301.968.4100

American College of Surgeons 
633 North Saint Clair Street
Chicago, IL 60611-3295
800.621.4111
312.202.5000

American Medical Association 

American Medical Association - Medical Student Section 

American Osteopathic Association 
142 East Ontario Street
Chicago, IL 60611
800.621.1773
312.202.8000

Aspiring Docs Website from the American Association of Medical Colleges 

The Student Doctor Network 

Washington Osteopathic Medical Association 
PO Box 1187
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
425.677.3930

Washington State Medical Association 
2001 Sixth Avenue, Suite 2700
Seattle, WA 98121
800.552.0612
206.441.9762

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Surgeons (29-1067.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

DOT occupations

• Police Surgeon (070.101-082) 
• Surgeon (070.101-094) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Investigative/Realistic/Social

COPSystem

• Science Professional
• Service Professional