How to Be General Surgeon - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 19, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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General surgeons are medical professionals who diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions and diseases. They perform a wide range of surgical procedures, including abdominal, vascular, endocrine, and oncological operations. General surgeons play an important role in the healthcare system as they offer essential services to patients.

As a result of their expertise, general surgeons are able to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, ranging from minor injuries to serious diseases such as cancer. They are well-versed in the use of advanced medical technologies, including minimally invasive techniques, laparoscopic procedures, and robotic surgery. they are highly skilled at performing complex surgeries, such as organ transplants, and can treat trauma-related injuries.

General surgeons also provide critical support to other medical specialists by consulting with them on complex cases and helping them make decisions about treatment. They also work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as nurses and physician assistants, to provide comprehensive patient care. Overall, general surgeons are an essential part of the healthcare system and provide invaluable services to patients.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. The first step to becoming a general surgeon is to obtain a bachelors degree. Generally, a student should pursue a degree in a pre-med major, such as biology, chemistry or biochemistry.
Take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Once an aspiring general surgeon has earned a bachelors degree, they must take and pass the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). This is a standardized, multiple-choice exam used to assess the knowledge of prospective medical students.
Attend Medical School. After earning a bachelors degree and passing the MCAT, the next step is to attend medical school. This typically takes four years and consists of classroom and hands-on training, such as clinical rotations.
Obtain a Medical License. After graduating from medical school, a physician must obtain their medical license before they are allowed to practice medicine. This involves passing a licensing exam and may require additional exams or training for specialties.
Complete a Residency. A residency is a period of supervised training in a hospital or clinic. For general surgeons, this typically lasts five to seven years and covers topics such as trauma surgery, gastrointestinal surgery and endocrine surgery.
Obtain Board Certification. After completing a residency, general surgeons must obtain board certification. This involves passing an exam administered by the American Board of Surgery or another specialty board.
Maintain Certification. To maintain certification, general surgeons must participate in continuing education and remain up-to-date on advances in the field. Generally, this involves attending conferences, reading medical journals and taking additional courses.

Becoming an ideal and qualified general surgeon requires a great deal of hard work and dedication. To begin, one must attend an accredited medical school to earn a medical degree. After completing a residency in general surgery, a doctor must complete a rigorous set of exams in order to obtain board certification.

Once certified, a surgeon must stay up to date on the most recent advancements in the field by regularly attending conferences and seminars. a general surgeon must possess excellent communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills in order to make well-informed decisions in the operating room. Finally, a strong commitment to patient safety and care is essential for any surgeon.

The combination of these qualifications will help a surgeon become an ideal and qualified general surgeon.

You may want to check Reconstructive Surgeon, Cardiac Surgeon, and Gastrointestinal Surgeon for alternative.

Job Description

Diagnose and treat diseases and injuries of the human body using surgical methods
Perform preoperative, operative and postoperative care of patients undergoing surgery
Interpret diagnostic tests and analyze results
Prescribe medication and treatment plans
Evaluate and counsel patients on surgical options
Operate on patients with complex conditions
Assess risks associated with surgical procedures
Monitor patient progress and provide follow-up care
Prepare detailed reports and keep accurate medical records
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of surgical procedures and best practices

Skills and Competencies to Have

Surgical knowledge and expertise
Ability to assess medical needs and develop appropriate treatment plans
Proficiency in laparoscopic, endoscopic, and open surgical techniques
Expertise in pre-operative planning and post-operative care
Proficiency in the use of anesthesia and other surgical modalities
Knowledge of anatomy and physiology
Knowledge of the principles of infection control
Ability to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals
Ability to communicate effectively with patients and families
Ability to stay up-to-date on advances in general surgery

Good communication skills are essential for any successful general surgeon. Effective communication between the patient, family, and medical staff is necessary to ensure successful outcomes. Without clear information being shared between all parties, the safety of the patient can be compromised.

surgeons need to be able to effectively explain the medical information to the patient and be able to answer any questions they may have. This will allow the patient to make an informed decision based on the best available evidence. Furthermore, strong decision-making skills are also necessary for a general surgeon to be successful.

As a surgeon, they must be able to evaluate risks and benefits associated with various procedures and make the best choice for their patient. Lastly, technical skills are paramount for a general surgeon. These skills involve proper technique in operating room procedures and the ability to recognize potential complications during surgery.

All of these skills combined are essential for a general surgeon to be successful and provide their patients with the best possible care.

Thoracic Surgeon, Oncologic Surgeon, and Vascular Surgeon are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experiences have you had that make you qualified to be a General Surgeon?
How do you stay up to date with the latest advancements in general surgery?
What challenges have you faced in prior surgical experiences?
What techniques and strategies do you use to ensure the best outcomes for patients?
How do you collaborate with other medical professionals when treating patients?
What is your experience with robotic surgery?
How do you handle difficult conversations with patients?
How do you stay organized and manage your patient caseload?
What is your experience with operating room management?
How would you handle a situation where a surgical procedure did not go as planned?

Common Tools in Industry

Surgical Scalpel. A sharp, thin blade used to make incisions in the skin during surgery (eg: cutting and removing tissue).
Needle Driver. A tool used to hold and guide a needle during suturing (eg: sewing up a wound).
Retractor. A tool used to open up and hold apart the walls of a body cavity during surgery (eg: opening the abdomen to perform an operation).
Forceps. A pair of tongs used to grip and hold objects such as tissue during surgery (eg: grasping a blood vessel to prevent bleeding).
Suction Tube. A tube attached to a device used to remove fluids or air from a surgical site (eg: suctioning out blood from the wound).
Electrocautery. A device that uses an electric current to heat up a metal probe and seal off blood vessels (eg: cauterizing a wound to stop bleeding).
Endoscope. A tool with a camera attached used to see inside the body (eg: examining the stomach or intestines).

Professional Organizations to Know

American College of Surgeons (ACS)
American Society of General Surgeons (ASGS)
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
International Society of Surgery (ISS)
American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST)
Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS)
American Surgical Association (ASA)
International College of Surgeons (ICS)
Association of Surgical Technologists (AST)
American Board of Surgery (ABS)

We also have Bariatric Surgeon, Urologic Surgeon, and Pediatric Surgeon jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Surgical Oncology. A specialty focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer through surgery.
Laparoscopic Surgery. A minimally invasive surgical technique in which small incisions are made in the abdomen, allowing the surgeon to insert a camera and specialized tools for surgery.
Endoscopy. A procedure which uses an endoscope a small, flexible tube with a light and camera attached to examine the inside of the body.
Thoracic Surgery. A surgical specialty focusing on the treatment of diseases of the chest, including the lungs and esophagus.
Vascular Surgery. A specialty focusing on diseases of the blood vessels, including veins and arteries.
Trauma Surgery. A specialty focusing on the treatment of trauma-related injuries, such as those caused by car accidents or other types of accidents.
Plastic Surgery. A specialty focusing on the reconstruction or alteration of the body's form and appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of medical training is required to become a General Surgeon?

The minimum educational requirement to become a General Surgeon is a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, followed by a five-year residency program in General Surgery.

What type of procedures can a General Surgeon perform?

General Surgeons can perform a variety of procedures, including abdominal surgery, endocrine surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, oncologic surgery, surgical critical care, trauma surgery, and transplantation surgery.

What type of medical specialty does a General Surgeon practice?

General Surgeons specialize in a variety of surgical procedures and specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and injuries of the body.