Expand mobile version menu
  Skip to main content

Thoracic Surgeon

What They Do

Surgeons Career Video

Insider Info

What is it? Thoracic surgery is concerned with diseases of the lungs, esophagus, chest wall, diaphragm, trachea and bronchi. That includes lung cancer, infections, problems with the esophagus, and thoracic trauma.

The job is tough. To get certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, you need previous certification by the American Board of Surgery, a minimum of two years training in thoracic surgery, plus a passing grade on a two-part examination administered by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.

Specialists, such as thoracic surgeons, work primarily in private practices or hospitals.

Hours can be long for thoracic surgeons -- anywhere from 60 to 100 hours per week. Thoracic surgeon Dr. John Miller estimates that he works about 60 hours per week, not including on-call time. Dr. Julie Swain of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine estimates her weeks can easily run up to 100 working hours on a consistent basis.

"Almost every weekday, I work from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., many times even later," says Dr. Camilla Mican. "So, the day averages 10 to 14 hours. I am on call Monday morning until Friday afternoon for my own patients. I work every third weekend, so I get two weekends out of three weekends off."

At a Glance

Treat diseases of the lungs, esophagus, chest wall, diaphragm, trachea and bronchi

  • This is a high-pressure, high-risk specialty
  • The hours can be long
  • It can take 11 or 12 years of school to become a thoracic surgeon

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

Support


Powered by XAP

OCAP believes that financial literacy and understanding the financial aid process are critical aspects of college planning and student success. OCAP staff who work with students, parents, educators and community partners in the areas of personal finance education, state and federal financial aid, and student loan management do not provide financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice. This website and all information provided is for general educational purposes only, and is not intended to be construed as financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice.