Career Cruising - Surgeon

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Surgeon
At a Glance
Surgeons are medical doctors who perform surgeries on any part of the human body to correct
problems caused by injury or disease.

Michigan Career Pathways

Health Sciences

Earnings
Earnings Range: 100K - 500K

Level of Education
4-Year College or University

Core Tasks
Specialize in a particular kind of surgery
Analyze patients medical histories
Order and interpret tests, such as x-rays
Plan and perform surgery
Arrange for post-operative care for patients and check on their progress

Attributes & Abilities

Enjoy helping people
Hard-working
Work well with your hands
Hand-eye coordination
Detail-oriented

Workplace
Work for hospitals and clinics, or are self-employed
Spend time in offices, hospital rooms, and operating rooms
Stand for long periods of time during operations
Work long hours, and may be on call when not working
Weekend work is common

Job Description
Surgeons are doctors with highly specialized training. They perform all types of surgical procedures to correct
deformities and problems caused by injury or disease. For example, an orthopedic surgeon might operate to
repair torn knee cartilage, while a cardiovascular surgeon might do open-heart surgery to save a heart attack
victim.
There are many different kinds of surgery. Neurosurgery involves operating on the brain, nerves, or spinal cord,
possibly to remove a brain tumor or to repair damage after an accident. Pediatric surgery is performed on
children and adolescents.

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Laser eye surgery is performed to reduce vision impairments caused by problems such as cataracts. Plastic
surgeons improve peoples appearance, or the function of certain body parts. This type of surgery may be
performed to correct a problem caused by a congenital condition or an accident, or purely for aesthetic reasons.
The surgeons first job when meeting patients is to examine them and determine whether or not they need
surgery and what procedure should be performed. They collect and analyze patients medical histories to get
information about their allergies to medications, general physical health, and any hereditary conditions. They also
order and interpret diagnostic tests, such as x-rays.
If an operation is required, surgeons plan the best way to perform the surgery. Sometimes, they use computers
to help them plan complex surgeries. Before spinal surgery takes place, for instance, the surgeon may download
images of the patients spine on a special computer that creates a 3D image of the spine. By exploring the image
on screen the surgeon can pre-plan the surgery and avoid complications during the actual procedure.
In the operating room, surgeons check to make sure that the required instruments are sterile and everything is in
place. They consult with anesthesiologists and direct the activities of nurses, residents, and other members of
the surgical team during the procedure.
Depending on the type of surgery being performed, a large part of a surgeons job may involve working with
technology. For example, surgeons who perform laparoscopic surgery dont have to make long incisions on a
patients body. Instead, they insert a tiny camera and delicate surgical instruments into the patient through a tiny
incision. The camera allows them to perform the operation by viewing the inside of the body on a monitor.
After surgery, surgeons ensure their patients are well-cared for, checking on their progress and prescribing
post-operative treatments and medications to help them recover quickly and comfortably.

Working Conditions
Surgeons work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Patients are often referred to them from family
physicians or other medical centers.
Surgeons typically spend part of their day in the office doing consultations, part of it seeing patients in the
hospital, and part of it in the operating room.
The procedures they perform can be relatively straightforward, such as the removal of tonsils, or they can be
complex and involve higher riskfor example, open-heart or brain surgery.
If they are performing complex surgeries, surgeons may have to spend as many as 8 hours in an operating room.
Most of this time is spent standing. In the operating room, surgeons work as part of a team which includes nurses
and an anesthesiologist.
People in this profession work long hours: sometimes more than 12 hours a day, or upwards of 60 hours a week.
Weekend work is quite common, especially for a surgeon who is on call.
Surgeons are not often required to travel as part of their job, although they may occasionally travel to attend
conferences.

Earnings
Surgeons employed by hospitals and clinics are either paid set yearly salaries or they are paid by contract, which
means that they are employed for a fixed amount of timefor example, 6 monthsand for a fixed amount of
money.
Earnings for self-employed surgeons depend largely on the number of patients they see; they can raise their
income by increasing the number of hours they work. Its important to note, however, that surgeons who run their
own practices normally have to pay costly malpractice insurance fees and other overhead expenses themselves.
In general, annual income for surgeons can range from less than $100,000 to $500,000 a year or more. Factors
that affect surgeons earnings include their level of experience, their location, and the complexity of the surgical
procedures they perform. Highly trained specialists tend to have the highest earnings.

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For instance, according to a recent survey by the American Medical Group Association (AMGA) the median
compensation for general surgeons is about $370,000 a year. Cardiac and thoracic surgeons have median
earnings of around $544,000 a year.
Surgeons who are still training as residents earn the lowest salaries. Residents usually make somewhere
between $42,000 and $75,000 a year, though some residency programs pay more.
Most salaried surgeons receive benefits such as pension plans, vacation and sick days, and health and life
insurance. Self-employed surgeons have to provide their own benefits.

Michigan Wages
Occupation: Surgeons

Level of Experience

Hourly

Annual

Entry Wage

$90.00+

$187,200+

Median Wage

$90.00+

$187,200+

Experienced Wage

$90.00+

$187,200+

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov

Michigan Outlook
Occupation: Surgeons

Employment
2010

580

2020

660

Change
Number

80

Percentage

13

Annual Average Openings

Total

Growth

Replacement

20

12

Source: Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget, Labor Market Information
http://www.milmi.org

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Education
Like other doctors, surgeons must complete a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) from an approved medical school.
Applicants to medical school must first complete a 4-year bachelors degree. Although undergraduate degrees
can be in any subject, most applicants take a large number of courses in the basic sciencesbiology, chemistry,
and physics. The admission process is highly competitive, so some students also earn a masters degree before
applying to medical school.
Applicants usually need to write the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as well. Most schools consider
applicants scores on this test in addition to their college grades when making their decision. Many schools also
consider extracurricular activities, leadership qualities, and personal character.
Medical school takes 4 years to complete. Once the MD is obtained, graduates complete a surgery residency,
which takes a minimum of 5 years. Residencies are periods of practical, on-the-job training that take place in
hospitals or other medical settings. Surgical residents are trained in general surgical procedures related to many
parts of human anatomy, as well as in a chosen specialty.
Graduates who wish to specialize in more complex areas of a particular type of surgery, such as pediatric cardiac
surgery, can enter into a fellowship program after residency.
Surgeons who have completed their residency period can begin the process of becoming certified by a member
board of the American Board of Medical Specialists (ABMS). This typically involves passing written and oral
exams. In addition, all doctors must obtain a license to practice in the state where theyll be working.

Related College Programs

Medicine
Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Biochemistry
Chemistry, General

Other Suggested Qualifications

If you are considering a career as a surgeon, you must be an excellent student. You should be interested in
working with and helping people, and willing to work long hours. It is important to have excellent manual dexterity
and hand-eye coordination. You should also have an eye for detail, good communication skills, and the ability to
work well under pressure.

Suggested High School Subjects

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Grade 9

Grade 10

English
Mathematics
Physical Sciences
Biology
Social Studies - Geography
Health & Physical Education
Computers

English
Mathematics
Physical Sciences
Biology
Social Studies - History
Computers

Grade 11

Grade 12

English
Mathematics
Probability & Statistics
Biology

English
Algebra
Calculus
Anatomy & Physiology

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Grade 11

Grade 12

Chemistry
Physics
Economics
Law & Government
Computers

Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Social Studies
Computers

Important
Check with your advisor to make sure that your course selections satisfy your graduation requirements.
Courses available may vary from school to school.

Sample Career Path

People take different pathways through their careers, but no one starts at the top. This is an example of how the
earnings, education and experience requirements, and responsibilities might progress for someone in this
occupation.

Level 1
Sample Title

Resident

Earnings

$42,000 to $75,000 a year

Requirements

Bachelors degree
Graduate degree in medicine
Accepted into a surgery residency program

Responsibilities

Doing supervised work in the hospital: working as a surgical assistant; on call for
emergencies; training in a field of specialization.

Level 2
Sample Title

Staff Surgeon

Earnings

$150,000 to $450,000 a year

Requirements

Completion of residency
Licensed by your state
Possibly certified

Responsibilities

Diagnosing and treating patients; doing consultations and operations.

Level 3
Sample Title

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Department Head

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Level 3
Earnings

$350,000 to $500,000 a year, or more

Requirements

At least 10 years of experience as a surgeon

Responsibilities

Diagnosing and treating patients; doing administrative work, such as budgets.

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Nurse Anesthetist
Nurse Practitioner
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Oncologist
Ophthalmologist
Orthopedic Surgeon
Osteopathic Physician
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Physician / Surgeon

National Employment by Industry

Industry

% Employed

Health Care and Social Assistance

77

Self-Employed

12

Source: O*Net Online, Browse by Industry, US Department of Labor

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http://online.onetcenter.org/find/industry

Other Resources
American College of Surgeons (ACS) So, You Want to be a Surgeon
A scientific and educational membership association for surgeons of all types. Here you can find excellent
information for aspiring surgeons.
http://www.facs.org/residencysearch/contents.html
Click here to learn about different types of surgical specialties:
http://www.facs.org/public_info/yourhealth/guide.html
New York Times A Surgeon Opens Up, and Not With a Scalpel
An interesting interview with a former surgeon that offers an inside look at the career.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/01/business/01interview.html
American Medical Association (AMA)
AMA represents physicians from across the country. Scroll over Education and click on Becoming A
Physician to get information about requirements, specialties, and more.
http://www.ama-assn.org
Student Doctor Network (SDN)
This network of students and health professionals aims to help health students successfully pursue a career
in this industry. In the Articles & Interviews section, you can find lots of helpful information.
http://www.studentdoctor.net
Click here to read an interview with a surgeon:
http://www.studentdoctor.net/2013/05/20-questions-mona-g-flores-md
National Premed Consulting The Top Five Qualities of Successful Doctors
Find out which qualities you will need to be successful in this field.
http://www.nationalpremedconsulting.com/articles/the-top-five-qualities-of-successful-doctors.php
HowStuffWorks How Becoming a Doctor Works
This in-depth guide from HowStuffWorks offers great information about becoming a doctor.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/becoming-a-doctor.htm
Association of American Medical Colleges Medical College Admission Test
The official website of the MCAT exam, which is mandatory to apply to medical schools. Click on About The
MCAT Exam to learn more about the examination process.
http://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Students
This is a non-profit association of medical schools, teaching hospitals, and academic societies. Here you can
find helpful student information and resources.
http://www.aamc.org/students
Occupational Outlook Handbook Physicians and Surgeons
Career information from the US Department of Labor.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm

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