Surgeon

• Job: Surgeon
• Salary: £29K - £160K
• Working hours: Long hours.
• Qualifications: Degree in medicine and Foundation.

Find out more about being a surgeon

Responsible for:

Surgeons operate on patients in order to treat injuries, diseases and degenerative conditions.

Salary:

Once they begin specialist training, surgeons can earn a basic salary of between £29,000 and £44,000 a year. They may be eligible for additional banding supplements. Basic salaries for surgical consultants start at around £70,000; the most senior consultants can earn over £160,000.

Working hours:

Most surgeons work long hours, which may include nights and weekends. They work in consulting rooms, hospital wards and operating theatres. Operating can involve standing and bending, sometimes for long periods of time.

Qualifications:

To become a surgeon, it is first necessary to study for a degree in medicine. Medical degrees normally take five years, although there are accelerated courses available for graduate entrants. After completing the medical degree, all doctors now undertake a two-year Foundation programme of general training. Towards the end of the Foundation programme doctors decide whether to train in surgery or another specialty.

General requirements:

A surgeon should have excellent manual and technical skills and be interested in the care and well-being of patients. They should also have excellent communication skills and have the ability to work well in a team while also being a good leader.

Career Progression:

You can progress to become a consultant.

• Print
• Send to a friend

Back to top