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Thoracic Surgeon |
Career OverviewFor someone interested in a career as a thoracic surgeon, it is extremely interesting, challenging and fulfilling. Thoracic surgeons are highly respected among the medical community. They concentrate and operate on specific parts of the body unlike general surgeons that operate on numerous parts of the body.
One of the categories that a thoracic surgeon concentrates on is congenital heart surgery. This surgery specializes in the medical correction of heart defects along with cardiovascular support of babies and children while general thoracic surgery focuses on treatments for esophageal cancer, lung cancer, gastro esophageal reflux, emphysema and esophageal swallowing problems.
A thoracic surgeon also concentrates on cardiac surgery, which is the blood supply to the heart, arteries, heart valves and chest veins.
Some of the many operations a thoracic surgeon performs are bypasses on blocked coronary arteries, lung and heart transplants, and birth defects of the heart and chest and chest tumors.
Experts in the surgical treatment of heart, lung and chest diseases, a thoracic surgeon also works very closely with the cardiovascular surgeon and other colleagues. This ensures that when patients are able to return home, they have the proper instructions for pain management, incision care, exercise and other necessary information.
A thoracic surgeon’s job is extremely rewarding when a patient’s health improves after surgery but because of the complex operations they perform, there is a risk of complications and heart failure. Because of this, there is certainly a high level of emotion involved as a thoracic surgeon.
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Career RequirementsOne of top most highly educated medical specialists is a thoracic surgeon. To become a thoracic surgeon requires a general surgical residency of up to five years, passing the certifying exam given by the American Board of Surgery and then thoracic surgery residency of other two or three years.
Once the residency is completed, the last step is passing the certifying examine given by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
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Job OutlookThe job outlook for individuals that are interested in pursuing a career as a thoracic surgeon is extremely positive. There is a definite need for thoracic surgeons in many large hospitals, laboratories and research facilities.
With the aging population, baby boomers reaching sixty and many thoracic surgeons retiring over the next ten or fifteen years, the demand for thoracic surgeons continues to increase.
The baby boomers alone will present an enormous number of new patients requiring the skill of a thoracic surgeon. In addition, as the health care industry continues to expand, so will the need for more trained medical professionals including thoracic surgeons.
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Career TrackAn experienced thoracic surgeon has many options available in the thoracic field and may choose to specialize in other medical areas such as cardio-thoracic. Many thoracic surgeons become educators in thoracic medicine or head up research teams.
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CompensationThe median base salary for a thoracic surgeon is approximately $350,000. The average salary for a thoracic surgeon just starting out is approximately $218,000 and for thoracic surgeons with three or more years of practice it is approximately $555,000.
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