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Becoming a Surgeon

What are the qualities and skills needed to be a Surgeon?

	Prof. Spencer Beasley Paediatric Surgeon "Good surgery is usually rewarded with good outcomes."
	Assoc. Prof. Helen O'Connell Urological Surgeon "My favourite work is the actual operating."
	Dr. Wendy Brown General Surgeon "No surgeon has a perfectly balanced life..."
	Dr. Simon Williams Orthopaedic Surgeon "I was lucky enough to work with some outstanding surgeons who subsequently became mentors."

Trainees are required to demonstrate competence across all nine of the following competencies:

• Technical expertise 
• Medical expertise 
• Judgement - Clinical decision making 
• Communication 
• Collaboration 
• Management and Leadership 
• Health Advocacy 
• Scholar and Teacher 
• Professionalism and Ethics 

What areas do Surgeons work in?

The College trains doctors to become surgeons in the following nine specialities:

• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• General Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery
• Paediatric Surgery
• Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
• Urology
• Vascular Surgery

How do I train to be a Surgeon?

Trainees are selected directly into one of the nine specialty training programs. The earliest point at which application can be made for the first year of training (SET1) is during Postgraduate Year 2 (PGY2) with entry for successful trainees in Postgraduate Year 2PGY3.

Having successfully completed SET1 training and assessment requirements, trainees move into SET2 without further selection. In most specialties, SET1 trainees who have not successfully completed the examination may be permitted by the specialty Board to progress to SET2, provided that other training requirements have been met.

Trainees in SET1 are appointed by the employing hospital at the level which the hospital deems appropriate. The trainees will perform clinical rotations in units, designated by the specialty in which they are selected, as providing career aligned requirements. During this period there is an increased focus on workplace competency assesment.

How do I get selected?

The selection process has two stages - Registration and Application.  Selection is a competitive process; there are minimum eligibility criteria and speciality specific criteria.