The job description for surgeons varies depending on what environment they are practicing in. Many surgeons find themselves in a multifaceted career that allows them to put their skills to good use in a combination of workplace settings. Although the workplace settings may vary, one factor remains the same: the surgical profession is one of responsibility and leadership. The surgeon is responsible for the preoperative diagnosis of the patient, for performing the operation, and for providing the patient with postoperative surgical care and treatment. The surgeon is also looked upon as the leader of the surgical team.
Considering Your Career Path in Medicine?
Many people dream of having a career in medicine but not everyone has the skills or the patience to train and become a medical professional. Within this industry, there are a variety of roles with some having more responsibility than others. One of the most popular career choices for young people hoping to break into this industry is a surgeon.
Of course, becoming a surgeon is never going to be easy and there are some things that you’ll need to do and understand before you get started. Find out more about these things below.
It Takes A Long Time to Train
If you are thinking about pursuing a career in medicine with a focus on surgical work, you’ll need to put in the time. Many students think that the process of becoming a surgeon is straightforward, but it can take many years before you can even think about practicing. Firstly, you’ll need to complete a five-year degree in medicine, and this will need to be recognized by the General Medical Council.
Then, you’ll need to do a 2-year foundation programme that involves general training. After that, you’ll need to complete another 2 years of core surgical training. That’s not all – you’ll then need to work for up to 6 years in order to get your specialist training.
As you can see, this process is not straightforward, and you’ll not be able to secure a role straight out of medical school. It is very important that you understand this before pursuing this carer.
There Are Risks
Another thing that you must know about becoming a surgeon is that there are many risks involved. When you are working on that patient that is lying on the operating table, their life is in your hands. Of course, you’ll have other professionals there but often, you are the person who is responsible for the surgery. So, what happens if something goes wrong?
Medical negligence claims are very serious and many surgeons face these if a mistake is made. However, you should know that surgeons are often protected by medical indemnity insurance in order to do their jobs without restrictions. You should make sure to find out more about medical indemnity insurance before progressing with your career.
It Is Very Hard Work
We’re sure that you are aware of the fact that becoming a surgeon is not easy. However, you need to know that there is much more to this role than you might think. Many surgeons will work for hours on end and into the night in order to keep a patient alive. Sometimes, they won’t get any sleep and won’t be able to stay hydrated or eat.
On top of this, you’ll find that there is a lot of responsibility with this kind of role and this can be tough to deal with. If you are willing to put in the hard work, this role might be for you.
It Is All Worth It
Finally, you should know that becoming a surgeon is often worth it in the end. The risks might scare you but when it comes down to it, you can save people’s lives and help them live better ones. If you are looking for a rewarding role then this is one to consider.
Before applying for medical school and pursuing a career as a surgeon, make sure that you know exactly what this will involve. Then, you can be sure that this is the right kind of career for you.
Photo: Shutterstock / Edited by: Martina Advaney
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