Cardiovascular Surgeon Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a cardiovascular surgeon. Feel free to use our cardiovascular surgeon job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a cardiovascular surgeon.
Who is a Cardiovascular Surgeon?
Cardiovascular surgeons are highly trained medical professionals who specialize in heart and blood vessel surgery. The term “heart surgeon” is frequently used to refer to these surgeons. They may also be referred to as cardiothoracic surgeons in the United States (US), as they are frequently trained to operate on other organs located in the thoracic cavity, such as the lungs and esophagus.
To become a cardiovascular surgeon, an individual must complete numerous years of training. Generally, the process begins with a bachelor’s degree. The individual then typically attends medical school, followed by several years in a general surgery residency program, as well as additional training in cardiovascular surgery. Certain residency programs allow physicians to train exclusively as cardiovascular surgeons, bypassing general surgery. After completing cardiovascular training, surgeons must typically obtain board certification in the region in which they intend to practice before performing surgery on their own.
Coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, abnormal heart rhythms, and heart failure are all conditions that may require the expertise of a cardiovascular surgeon. Coronary bypass surgery is the most common type of cardiovascular surgery. It involves rerouting blood flow to the heart by bypassing a blocked coronary artery. Heart transplantation is a much less common but more well-publicized surgery that entails removing a diseased heart and replacing it with a healthy donor heart.
Historically, the majority of cardiovascular surgeries have been performed by completely opening the thoracic cavity to expose the heart and allow the cardiovascular surgeon to reach inside. Recent years have seen an increase in the use of minimally invasive techniques. These procedures frequently involve the use of robot-assisted technology, which enables the surgeon to make smaller incisions in the chest and complete the procedure using the robot’s hands.
Cardiovascular surgery, as a medical specialty, has room for growth and the development of new techniques. Cardiovascular surgery is a young field, having begun in earnest in the 1950s. Numerous life-saving surgical techniques have been developed since then, but there is still room to advance new technologies and improve patient outcomes in the field.
Cardiovascular surgery also provides the opportunity for specialization. For instance, some surgeons may choose to work in an academic setting, where they can mentor and train future cardiovascular surgeons. Others may choose to specialize in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery. These surgeons devote their entire practice to treating children and their unique heart problems, which are frequently congenital. Others may focus exclusively on adults, treating the disorders and diseases that are more prevalent as people age.
A cardiovascular surgeon typically operates by appointment, though in life-threatening situations, he or she may be required to perform immediate, emergency surgery. While the majority of surgeons work in large general hospitals and heart health centers, some work in private surgical practices.
Surgeons operate on individuals who have a variety of birth defects or who have developed heart problems as a result of age, diet, cancer, or disease. He or she may perform screening tests to ascertain the presence of physical abnormalities or functional problems, consult with the patient and other physicians regarding the findings, and determine whether invasive surgery is necessary. Cardiovascular surgeons perform operations with extreme caution, ensuring the patient’s safety to the best of their ability. Following surgery, the surgeon and operating room nurses frequently monitor the patient’s vital signs and overall health for a specified time to ensure that the procedure was successful.
Certain cardiothoracic surgeons specialize in particular patient populations or procedures. For example, a pediatric cardiovascular surgeon primarily treats infants, children, and adolescents. He or she must possess highly specialized knowledge of young people’s developing hearts and organs. Another surgeon may elect to specialize in a particular type of surgery, such as open-heart surgery or heart transplantation. Certain professionals are highly knowledgeable about artificial hearts, pacemakers, and other implantable devices.
To become a cardiovascular surgeon, an individual must first earn a bachelor’s degree, typically in pre-medical studies, then complete a four-year doctoral program at an accredited medical school, followed by a one-year internship in a hospital, followed by a seven to ten-year residency. The final two to three years of a resident surgeon’s training are entirely devoted to performing supervised heart surgeries and related procedures. Following residency, a new cardiovascular surgeon must pass a rigorous licensing examination administered by a nationally recognized governing organization.
Cardiovascular surgeons must participate in continuing education and stay current on medical news and journals due to technological advancements in medical technology and surgical procedures. With an aging population and the emergence of new diseases and cancers, there is a high demand for cardiovascular surgeons. Individuals with extensive computer expertise are in high demand, as many pieces of modern screening and surgical machinery require surgeons to program the equipment and interpret data.
Cardiovascular Surgeon Job Description
Below are the cardiovascular surgeon job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a cardiovascular surgeon job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a cardiovascular surgeon include the following:
- Consulting patients to discuss their conditions and rule out any illness
- Conducting surgeries to alleviate patients’ suffering or to reduce their risk of contracting certain diseases
- Creating post-operative treatment plans for patients to follow to maximize the procedure’s beneficial effects.
- Prescribing medication to decrease the patient’s risk of recurrence of previous medical problems or the onset of new medical problems
- Conducting medical interviews to evaluate new patients
- Placing diagnostic tests and labs on order
- Analyzing diagnostic tests and laboratory results
- Making diagnoses based on test and laboratory results
- Developing a treatment plan that is unique to each patient
- Monitoring patients’ treatment progress
- Educating patients about the risk of heart disease and how to prevent it.
- Collaborating with the primary care physician and other specialists, such as a cardiothoracic surgeon, on a patient’s care
- Creating treatment plans based on the unique characteristics of each patient
- Referring patients to cardiovascular surgeons when necessary
Qualifications
To be hired as a cardiovascular surgeon, an applicant must demonstrate that they have completed the necessary education and training.
Education
As a medical professional, a cardiovascular surgeon is required to complete extensive formal education. A cardiovascular surgeon will attend medical school after earning a bachelor’s degree. While a pre-med undergraduate major may be advantageous, it is not required for admission to medical school.
A cardiovascular surgeon’s medical school will include additional classroom instruction and practical training. Typically, the classroom component of this education is comprised of the first two years of medical school. This is followed by two additional years of practical study during which students continue to learn under the supervision of highly qualified medical professionals.
After graduating from medical school, an aspiring cardiovascular surgeon is required to complete a one-year internship. They receive close supervision and training from experienced surgeons during their internship, allowing them to continue honing the skills acquired in medical school.
Additionally, a cardiovascular surgeon must complete a five- to a seven-year residency program. Finally, the surgeon will complete a two to three-year fellowship program in cardiovascular, cardiothoracic, or cardiothoracic surgery.
Certifications
To be licensed by a state, a surgeon must have completed their residency and passed the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).
Additionally, a cardiovascular surgeon must obtain board certification in cardiovascular surgery bypassing both the Cardiovascular Surgery Qualifying Examination and the Cardiovascular Surgery Certifying Examination. A cardiovascular surgeon must pass both parts of the examination within seven years of becoming board certified.
Essential Skills
Coordination
This ability ensures that a surgeon’s technical knowledge is applied successfully during surgery. Cardiovascular surgeons frequently work with small, sharp implements in restricted spaces, requiring extremely precise movements.
- Maintaining composure under duress
This ability enables a cardiovascular surgeon to maintain composure throughout a surgical procedure. Operating on a patient, particularly one who requires a difficult procedure, is a stressful situation. Controlling this pressure enables the surgeon to perform his or her duties effectively at all times.
- Stamina
Numerous surgical procedures can last several hours, during which the surgeon remains standing. Stamina allows a surgeon to remain effective throughout a surgical procedure, even if it is particularly strenuous.
- Leadership
This ability is critical for maximizing the effectiveness of a surgical team. Along with giving clear and concise orders when all is well, a surgeon’s leadership abilities are critical in the event of an unexpected complication that requires them to alter the plan under time-sensitive circumstances. The lead surgeon will also be responsible for supervising the surgical team during the procedure. Along with maintaining a calm demeanor internally, a surgeon must project a calm demeanor externally. This assists assisting surgeons and nurses in maintaining their composure and performing at their best.
- Empathy
Since vascular surgeons spend a significant amount of time interacting with patients, the ability to empathize with others is a necessary skill. This enables the surgeon to establish rapport with patients, which improves their experience and increases their receptivity to the surgeon’s recommendations.
- Communication
This ability is critical during surgery as well as in interactions with staff and patients. A cardiovascular surgeon must be able to effectively communicate information or instructions.
- Critical Thinking skills
This ability enables cardiovascular surgeons to provide precise, clear, accurate, and relevant medical care while connecting theory and practice in their decision-making. Critical thinking is required for the development of effective treatment plans and the prevention of medical errors.
- Compassion:
Cardiovascular surgeons should cultivate compassion in their actions, demeanor, and words when dealing with all patients, especially those who may have chronic or life-threatening illnesses. This ability is critical for patient satisfaction and outcome.
- Self-confidence
This critical ability is based on a physician’s knowledge in their field of study. Knowledge and experience instill confidence in clinicians, allowing them to make the best treatment decisions for their patients. Confidence also refers to a cardiovascular surgeon’s ability to recognize when they should refer a patient to another doctor for the treatment that falls outside their area of expertise.
- Communication Skills
Communication is a necessary skill for cardiovascular surgeons because they interact with patients and colleagues daily. Written and verbal communication skills will almost certainly be used to relay information to nurses and patients about prognoses and disease trajectories.
How to Become a Cardiovascular Surgeon
To pursue a career as a cardiovascular surgeon, an individual must first earn an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution, then attend medical school and complete a surgical residency.
Following high school graduation, an individual must enroll in a college or university and earn a bachelor’s degree to pursue a career as a cardiovascular surgeon. Generally, this career does not require a specific undergraduate degree. Many students, on the other hand, earn an undergraduate degree in a science, such as a biology, chemistry, or physiology. While pursuing a bachelor’s degree, it’s critical to familiarize yourself with the requirements for admission to medical school, as the majority of schools will have a list of prerequisites that students must meet to be admitted. This is critical because, following the completion of an undergraduate degree, the next step toward becoming a cardiovascular surgeon is to enroll in medical school.
Individuals interested in pursuing a career as a cardiovascular surgeon typically attend four years of medical school. Students may be required to take and pass the medical college admissions test, also known as the MCAT, to be accepted into medical school in the United States. Medical school is widely regarded as extremely difficult, with typically long hours and extended periods of study. Clinical exposure, which may involve working with real patients, is a common component of the final stages of medical school.
Following medical school, an individual must complete a residency in surgery before becoming a cardiovascular surgeon. Typically, the residency program will begin with several years of general surgery training. After completing a residency in general surgery, the individual may pursue specialized training in cardiovascular surgery. If the individual is also interested in thoracic surgery, he or she may pursue a residency in cardiothoracic surgery instead. This enables the surgeon to perform procedures on both the heart and thoracic organs, such as the lungs.
After completing a cardiology and surgery residency, the physician will need board certification and an operating license to practice as a cardiovascular surgeon. In the United States, the surgeon will generally need to obtain a license from the state in which he or she intends to practice. As a result, it is critical to conduct research and become familiar with the unique requirements of various regions. Cardiovascular surgeons have a diverse range of career options. After completing all educational requirements, a cardiovascular surgeon may join a group practice or establish a private practice.
Where to Work as a Cardiovascular Surgeon
A cardiovascular surgeon performs most of his or her work in hospitals, operating rooms, examination rooms, and offices.
Cardiovascular Surgeon Salary Scale
The national average salary for a cardiovascular surgeon in the United States is $449,385 per year.