Surgeon
Carry out operations on patients who need them.
About the job
What it's like
Being a surgeon is a hands-on job where you help others and even save lives. It comes with a lot of responsibility, with people putting their trust in you.
You'd carry out operations on patients who need them. It might be because they're injured or have a worsening health condition. They could also wish to have cosmetic surgery.
Other hospital doctors and GPs would refer patients to you, or they might come from an accident and emergency department. They may be anxious and upset so you’d need to communicate with them to help them calm down.
What you'll do in this job:
meet patients to choose the best option
explain the process and risks of surgery
take tests and arrange X-rays
carry out operations working as part of a team
meet with nurses and junior doctors after operations
carry out daily ward visits to check on your patients
write to GPs about your patients’ health and treatments
train and look after junior doctors and other medical staff
You might also carry out research and publish papers.
You could be a general surgeon with a wide range of skills and knowledge, or you could specialise in one area.
This could be operating on a specific part of the body. For example, neurosurgeons perform operations on parts of the nervous system including the brain. You could be working with a particular group of people. Paediatric surgeons work with children and young people.
You could also specialise in doing a particular type of surgery that isn't localised in one part of the body. For example, plastic surgeons carry out surgery to restore, reconstruct or alter the body. They can also perform non-surgical treatments such as Botox injections or lip fillers.
There's more information about NHS roles on the surgery page on the NHS Careers website.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- making decisions
- developing a plan
- concentrating
- attention to detail
- empathising
- researching
- problem solving
- verbal communication
- resilience
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Biology
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Care
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Chemistry
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Human Biology
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Physics
You'll need a degree in medicine approved by the General Medical Council (GMC). This'll take up to five or six years to complete. You'll then do two years of general training working in medical settings as a junior doctor.
After this you can begin your surgeon training. This would be two years of core training followed by up to six more in whatever specialism you choose to follow.
To get a recognised degree, you’ll need to go to university. This means you’ll need to get good grades in school. Courses usually need you to have both:
National 5 qualifications
at least are five Highers at AAAAB or above
Having Advanced Highers in science subjects will also boost your chances when applying.
You must apply to UCAS by 15 October of the year before the course commences.
If you don't get the grades you need for a degree you could do a Scottish Wider Access Programme (SWAP) course. This is a one-year course designed to help you apply for a degree in medicine afterwards.
This is not an option for school leavers. You'll need to wait a few years after school to apply. You need to:
have been out of education for three years, or five years if you have Highers
not already have a degree
Colleges currently offering an Access to Medical Studies (SWAP) course are:
Glasgow Clyde College
Glasgow Kelvin College
Edinburgh College
A driving licence.
Before applying to medical school you'll need to sit the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT). This is a test used by medical courses to help make admissions decisions. It'll give you a chance to stand out from other applicants.
You'll need to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland.
You should be fit and healthy.
You must provide evidence that you do not have, and have been immunised against, Hepatitis B.
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