Job Descriptions

Surgeon Job Description

What is the job description of a Surgeon? What are the duties and responsibilities of a Surgeon? What does a Surgeon do?

Job description of a Surgeon

Surgeons are physicians who treat diseases, injuries, and deformities by invasive, minimally-invasive, or non-invasive surgical methods, such as using instruments, appliances, or by manual manipulation. Surgeons specialize in the treatment of injury, disease, and deformity through operations.

Using a variety of instruments, and with patients under anesthesia, a surgeon corrects physical deformities, repairs bone and tissue after injuries, or performs preventive surgeries on patients with debilitating diseases or disorders. Although a large number perform general surgery, many surgeons choose to specialize in a specific area.

This Surgeon job description example includes the list of most important Surgeon duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Surgeon profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Surgeon Duties and Responsibilities

Surgeon job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Analyze patient’s medical history, medication allergies, physical condition, and examination results to verify operation’s necessity and to determine best procedure.
  • Prescribe preoperative and postoperative treatments and procedures, such as sedatives, diets, antibiotics, and preparation and treatment of the patient’s operative area.
  • Surgeons follow established surgical techniques during the operation.
  • Examine patient to obtain information on medical condition and surgical risk.
  • Operate on patients to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, or improve or restore patients’ functions.
  • Surgeons diagnose bodily disorders and orthopedic conditions and provide treatments, such as medicines and surgeries, in clinics, hospital wards, and operating rooms.
  • Surgeons examine instruments, equipment, and operating room to ensure sterility.
  • Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques that can improve operating procedures and outcomes.
  • Provide consultation and surgical assistance to other physicians and surgeons.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of nurses, assistants, specialists, residents, and other medical staff.
  • Surgeons refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioners when necessary.
  • Surgeons prepare case histories.
  • Surgeons manage surgery services, including planning, scheduling and coordination, determination of procedures, and procurement of supplies and equipment.

Surgeon Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Surgeon job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • Degree in Medicine (essential).
  • x years of residency training in General Surgery (essential).
  • Current medical license (essential).
  • x years of experience practicing as a General Surgeon.
  • Fantastic manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination and visuospatial awareness.
  • Emotionally resilient with the ability to make patients feel at ease.
  • Great management and leadership skills.
  • Superb organizational and time management skills.
  • Excellent decision-making skills and communication.
  • Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Surgeon starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Surgeon job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Surgeon may also reference it in preparation for the interview.