Overview
Cardiothoracic Surgeons perform heart and lung surgery.
Day-to-day
- examines patients to determine the necessity of operations, estimates and explains risks to patients, and selects the best operational procedures
- reviews reports on patients' general physical condition, reactions to medications and medical histories
- consults with anaesthetists regarding the correct anaesthesia for patients
- performs surgical operations
- examines instruments, equipment, and surgical set-up to ensure that antiseptic and aseptic methods have been followed
- instructs other medical, nursing and associated staff regarding the preparation of patients and instrument and equipment requirements
- prescribes post-operative care, and observes and investigates patients' progress
- maintains records of operations performed
- may specialise in particular types of operations.
Considerations
- Stressful
To become a Cardiothoracic Surgeon
You need to be a qualified Medical Practitioner and then complete further training with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons before you can specialise as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon.
Registration with the Medical Board of Australia is required.
Skills employers are looking for
