Cardio Thoracic Surgeons are the types of Surgeons that operate and work on the organs in the thorax (The chest). These types of Surgeons require extensive education and training that is usually un-matched by any other profession. The pay is rewarding and the outcome of saving someones live is undeniably a great feeling that gives you pride and also makes you feel like a hero.
What does a Cardiothoracic Job entail?
A cardiothoracic job usually entails work being done on the heart and great vessels (Superior vena cava, Inferior vena cava, Pulmonary artery and the Aorta) and also the lungs
A Cardio Thoracic Surgeon is also responsible for installing pacemakers, performing heart bypass surgeries and even lung cancer.
The surgeon is also responsible for the anesthesia of a patient, cutting and stitching up of the patient. Even after the procedures of the surgeon is complete, they must provide post-operation care to the patients such as providing them with medicine to continue with recovery and pain-relief prescriptions.
The surgeon most analyze the patience heart prior to performing any major scheduled surgeries as everyone is different and they must accustom themselves to this fact, which is why they receive over a decade of training and continue to learn even past that stage. The salary is very rewarding and the demand is very high of this particular type of surgeon.
What is required to become a Cardio Thoracic Surgeon?
A person aspiring in cardiothoracic surgery must go through 4 years of college and then another 4 years of university for medicine before they can even consider a career path in Cardiothoracic surgery. After this they will require a 5 year surgery residency followed by another two year cardiothoracic surgery residency. Some people may be able to to do the first 8 years in 6-7 years with certain types of programs available out there, but regardless the study load will be the same.
During your residency you will be paid somewhat decently, a bit under $50,00 in the United States and it varies for other countries. You may also want to do a fellowship after your residencies, however it is not always required. Competition in these residencies is usually very high so you need to do exceptionally well in medical school to be considered. Be prepared to pay $50,000 – $150,000 in education on your path to become a surgeon and this may vary as well depending on programs and scholarships that may be offered to you.
How long am I expected to work?
This is a hard thing to say, it depends on the demand in your area. However, it is noted that Cardio Thoracic Surgeons spend nearly all of their time in hospitals and very rarely get the chance to do any consultative work during the week (Some experienced surgeons may get 2-3 days whilst at the beginning you will be lucky to fit a day in due to the demands of the hospitals).
Needless to say Cardio Thoracic Surgeons certainly have a lot of studying and experience to do but once you’re qualified the opportunities are endless, you can become self-employed and run your own surgery, at this point you’re going to have very good chances of being in the high-end salary range for this type of surgeon which can be expected to near close to half a million dollars a year in wages.