Surgeon

In this role you could:

• meet the patient before the operation to decide on the best course of action
• explain the procedures and risk
• carry out ward rounds, take tests and arrange X-rays
• carry out operations with a team of people
• write to GPs about your patients’ conditions and treatments

• knowledge of medicine and dentistry
• the ability to work well with your hands
• thinking and reasoning skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of biology
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.

With experience you could:

• become a senior or consultant surgeon, once you're on the General Medical Council Specialist Register
• lead a team or manage a department
• move into teaching students, trainee doctors and other healthcare professionals