Surgeon

Perform surgery and work with fellow doctors to diagnose and treat patients.

Job opportunities

Jobs in Jobstreet right now

Job growth

In the last year

Salary

Typical monthly salary

Job satisfaction

Job opportunities

Jobs in Jobstreet right now

Salary

Typical monthly salary

Job growth

In the last year

Job satisfaction

What's it like to be a Surgeon?

A Surgeon is a medical specialist. After years of medical education and practice, they can choose to be either a General Surgeon, who performs common surgeries like appendectomies and hernia repairs, or a Specialist Surgeon, who has mastered the practice for neurosurgery (brain surgery) or cardiothoracic surgery (heart and lung surgery) among others. Surgeons typically follow a set schedule while accommodating emergency surgeries that need their assistance.

Tasks and duties

Performing surgical procedures to improve or save a patient’s life.
Diagnosing patients and recommending surgical procedures.
Informing patients of their rights and the potential risks involved with surgery.
Upholding the ethical principles that doctors must live by.
Abiding by hospital or Malaysian Medical Council policies and procedures.
Answering emergency calls to perform life-saving surgical procedures.
Prescribing preoperative and postoperative treatment for optimum patient care.
Leading a team of Nurses, Anaesthesiologists, Medical Technicians, and Surgeons in the operating room.
Researching on the latest surgical innovations that can improve patient treatment and care.

All Surgeons must have strong manual dexterity, good hand-eye coordination, and the ability to work under pressure. Surgeons must also be excellent decision-makers, emotionally resilient, and strong leaders.

How to become a Surgeon

It takes a total of 10 years to become a Surgeon, and an additional seven years to become a specialised Surgeon. Above all else, a Surgeon must begin their career at medical school.

Complete the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or O-Levels.
Complete a pre-university or Foundation program in any science-related course. This can take one to two years.
Pursue a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBBS). This can take four to six years.
Complete a two-year internship for your housemanship. After ten years of studying, you will officially become a Medical Officer under the Malaysian Medical Council.
Start your first job as a general Surgeon at a hospital’s surgical department.
If you want to find a specialisation, complete postgraduate studies in the specialty of your choice. This will take four to five years.
Complete two years of supervised training in your specialty. After a total of six years of specialisation training, you can be registered as a “Specialist” under the Malaysian Medical Council.