What You'll Do

  • Analyze patient's medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation's necessity and to determine best procedure.
  • Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes.
  • Consult with patient's other medical care specialists, such as cardiologist and endocrinologist, to determine if surgery is necessary.
  • Describe preoperative and postoperative treatments and procedures, such as sedatives, diets, antibiotics, or preparation and treatment of the patient's operative area, to parents or guardians of the patient.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
  • Examine fetuses, infants, children, and adolescents, and diagnose health issues to determine need for intervention, such as surgery.
  • Examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
  • Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
  • Follow established surgical techniques during the operation.
  • Inform parents and guardians of child's health problems and surgical procedures through various channels, such as in-person and telecommunication systems.

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.

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Technologies & Tools

Computer imaging software Electronic medical record EMR software Epic Systems Human resources management system HRMS Image-guided surgery software Integra Radionics NeuroSight Arc Medical laser control software MEDITECH software Microsoft Windows Practice management software PMS Robotic surgery software Three-dimensional 3D virtual surgery software

How to Become One

This career requires extensive preparation, typically including a graduate degree (Master's or Doctoral) and several years of experience. Most professionals in this field have invested significant time in education and training.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Brain Surgeon Cardiac Surgeon Cardiothoracic Surgeon Cardiovascular Surgeon Colon and Rectal Surgeon Colorectal Surgeon Cosmetic Surgeon Dermatologist Doctor Eye Surgeon General Surgeon Hand Surgeon Heart Doctor Heart Surgeon Internal Medicine Physician Medical Doctor (MD) Neurological Surgeon Neurosurgeon Ophthalmic Surgeon Ophthalmologist Pediatric Neurosurgeon Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon Pediatric Surgeon Pediatric Surgery Physician Pediatric Vascular Surgeon Physician Physician Surgeon Plastic Surgeon Podiatric Foot and Ankle Specialist Reconstructive Surgeon Spinal Surgeon Surgeon Surgical Endoscopist Surgical Oncologist Thoracic Surgeon Transplant Surgeon Transverse Abdominal Muscle Surgeon (TRAM Surgeon) Trauma Doctor Trauma Surgeon Upper Extremity Surgeon Urologic Surgeon Urologist Vascular Surgeon