Cardiothoracic surgery involves open-heart, blood vessel, respiratory tract, and thoracic cavity surgery. The surgeon is supported by a team including physician assistants and nurses, who require specialized education. Job prospects are good, with retirement of current surgeons expected to increase demand. Salaries for these jobs are high, with nurse practitioners earning around $100,000 per year.
A cardiothoracic surgeon is a physician with extensive training in open-heart blood vessel, respiratory tract, and thoracic cavity surgery. Assisting the surgeon is a highly qualified medical team with training and experience in this specialty. Cardiothoracic surgery doctor assistant and nurse are two of the cardiothoracic surgery jobs that support the surgeon. The educational requirements for these cardiothoracic surgery jobs can vary. These jobs pay very well and the need is expected to increase as the population ages.
To work as a cardiothoracic surgeon, one must first earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. This is followed by four years of medical school and then a five or six year general surgery residency. After the general surgery residency, an additional two-year residency in cardiothoracic surgery is required. An additional specialization in pediatric cardiac surgery or another area may require additional education beyond the general residency in cardiothoracic surgery. That can add up to over 16 years of post-secondary education.
Employment prospects for cardiovascular surgeons are good. About 50% of current surgeons in this specialty are expected to retire within the next ten years. Beginning Cardiovascular Surgeons can earn approximately $150,000 to $250,000 (US). These surgeons work well over 40 hours a week on a regular basis.
Physician assistant is another one of the cardiothoracic surgery jobs. The cardiothoracic physician’s assistant has his own medical license and treats patients independently, but is technically under the physician’s direction. She is also involved in assisting in the operating room, performing tests and prescribing medications. A bachelor’s degree followed by a two-year graduate physician assistant program is required. A two-year residency in cardiothoracic surgery follows the graduate program.
Pilot medical assistant training programs are spreading across the world, and the job prospects for cardiothoracic medical assistants appear to be very good. In the United States, a physician’s assistant in cardiothoracic surgery can earn between $100,000 to $200,000 per year.
Cardiothoracic surgery nurse is one of the other cardiothoracic surgery jobs that are responsible for helping patients before and after surgery. Under medical supervision, these nurses can diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and care for people with chronic lung and heart conditions. Registered nurses who have earned an associate’s or bachelor’s degree must continue their education to work as a cardiothoracic nurse. They can earn a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing with a specialization in cardiothoracic surgery after initial education.
As with all other cardiothoracic surgery jobs, job prospects are promising. Nurse practitioners in cardiothoracic surgery can earn around $100,000 per year. Working hours are usually a standard 40 hour work week. Night and weekend rotations may be necessary in some situations, however. For those who are interested in science and who want to help people, one of these cardiothoracic surgery jobs could be an appropriate career option.
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