Plastic surgeons have licensed doctors specialized in restoring any parts of the patient’s body. After getting your high school diploma, … They should possess strong communication skills since surgeons should work and demonstrate empathy with their patients. They can also pursue certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery, but it is not required. [ Also Read: How to become a Neurosurgeon]. The most visible component of our specialty is aesthetic or cosmetic surgery, but plastic surgery is a broad specialty in which we operate on nearly every part of the body, on patients of all ages. They first need to earn a bachelor's degree, which lasts 4 years. Some universities have pre-med programs that allow students to choose classes in conjunction with their major that will prepare them for medical school. How Do I Become a Cardiothoracic Surgeon? The surgery takes place as per the patient’s needs and requests. Fellowships may also be completed; they typically last 1 year. They can either complete three years in a general surgery residency. They should be skilled in counseling patients as well. Some schools might also like to see and evidence of character strength, leadership, or other qualities. They work with patients who have chosen the surgery to improve cosmetic flaws. Your continued use of this site is considered permission by you to use cookies in this manner. And follow up on patients post-surgery to track the healing process. M.D candidates should pass the USMLE (U.S Medical Licensing Exam). How to become a Plastic Surgeon. They inform the patients of the risk associated with the surgery. I will preface this answer with the fact that I am, indeed, a plastic surgeon. There is … A licensed physician has two options for plastic surgery training. It’s not enough to enjoy working with your hands. Plastic surgeons should have good hand-eye coordination. The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you … Educational Requirements to Become a Plastic SurgeonA plastic surgeon's education is comparable to that of any other physician, which begins with a four-year undergraduate science degree. Candidates also must pass the Medical College Admissions Test, or MCAT, to enter med school. Here are the typical steps to follow to become a plastic surgeon: Obtain a bachelor's degree. Some organizations and private medical offices prefer a BSN-prepared RN. She must study general surgery for at least three years, and may take longer if she completes a general surgery residency before pursuing residency in plastic surgery. To become a surgeon, first determine if you have the right personality traits, since a surgeon has to be good under pressure, have strong focus, and enjoy managing crisis situations. All rights reserved. Plastic Surgeon is a medical professional who is qualified and trained to perform Plastic/Cosmetic surgery on his patients to repair their skin and structural problems.He is the doctor who can literally change the outlook of a patient having any kind of marks on his body or face due to some injury, burn or some inborn problems like cleft lips. Plastic surgeons are often perceived as mercenaries in the service of vanity, peddlers of face-lifts and tummy-tucks to the affluent and self-absorbed. Begin with a bachelor’s degree in biology, pre-med, or a related field. Below is an overview of job duties, skills, working conditions and salary information. Certification is not required, but can help plastic surgeons' careers. What's the Job Description of a General Surgeon? I can take you through the necessary steps in order to give you an idea. Trainees for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery are competitively selected based on their potential to become the best surgical leaders and ability to provide the highest quality of patient care. Find out about getting into medical school. Plastic surgeons perform reconstructive procedures to repair the function and the shape of a body part that includes cleft lip, craniofacial trauma, etc. Plastic surgeons must go through about 13 years of education and training before earning a license to practice. Here's how to become a plastic surgeon: Obtain your bachelor's degree in a premedical major, such as biology or chemistry. Next, attend medical school to earn your doctorate in medicine (MD) or osteopathic medicine (DO). Courses in the hard sciences, such as biochemistry, biology, and physics are common requirements, as well as behavioral science classes including psychology and sociology, and other courses outside the sciences, such as writing. Fellowships typically last one year; the available subspecialties are craniofacial surgery and hand surgery. The plastic surgeon’s job is to help patients improve their physical features for aesthetic or reconstructive purposes. Work Environment. Take Prerequisites for Medical School as an Undergraduate. Their work can range from elective surgery, such as rhinoplasty or breast augmentation, to preventative surgery, such as 'mini' facelifts that prevent issues such as loose neck skin later in life, to reconstructive surgery, such as fixing deformities or creating skin grafts for burn victims. Is becoming a plastic surgeon right for me? While the test can be taken at any time, it is recommended that students take it early enough to get their scores in time for medical school applications and to give themselves enough time to retake the test if necessary. It includes organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physics, and biology. Data published by the National Resident Matching Program2 show that plastic surgery applicants to the integrated pathway (including the ones who did notmatch) are quite accomplished, with a mean United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 sc… Learn How to Become a Fortune Cookie Writer, A Guide on How to Become a Professional Sleeper, Know Everything About Ice Cream Taster Jobs | Career Path. Many physicians and surgeons worked in physicians’ offices. A plastic surgeon undergoes years of rigorous education and testing in order to practice medicine. As physicians, all plastic surgeons must complete college and medical school. And repair congenital problems like malformed bone structures in hands or feet. Take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Candidates must spend at least six months in a plastic surgery post to qualify for future training. If your school offers a mentorship program, spend a day shadowing a surgeon and ask them questions about their job, including the benefits and negatives. Coursework is designed to meet medical school prerequisites, and is typically weighted in the sciences, mathematics and the humanities. The recommended major for a prospective doctor is pre-medicine or a science like biology. Before you can practice, you need is to meet your state’s requirements for licensing. The education to become a plastic surgeon begins with a four-year bachelor's degree program which will serve as preparation for medical school. Wages for physicians and surgeons are one of the highest of all professions. A student attending traditional allopathy medical school will receive an M.D degree while a student attending osteopathic medical school will receive a D.O (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. Becoming a plastic surgeon requires years of rigorous education and training. The American Board of Plastic Surgery certification exams must be taken within 8 years of completing residency; there are both written and oral components. The last few years instruct them in all areas of plastic surgery, such as general plastic surgery, aesthetic and craniofacial surgery, and hand and reconstructive surgery. If you know early on in your life that you want to be a plastic surgeon, you should start taking the necessary courses in high school. Becoming a plastic surgeon requires years of rigorous education and training. You might want to consider taking an MCAT prep course so you get a good score. What to Study to Become a Plastic Surgeon. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Medical schools require a bachelor’s degree for admittance; any major is acceptable as long candidates meet prerequisites, such as biology, chemistry, math and English. Training Locations. State licensure is required for all plastic surgeons. A potential plastic surgeon may first study general surgery and then study plastic surgery. Before graduating, a medical student should also take MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test). Students are usually encouraged to take elective courses or experiences that enrich their education or explore their specialty of interest. No specific undergraduate major is required for plastic surgeons, but they do have to complete certain courses in order to be accepted into medical school. Other requirements vary by program, but applicants must either be eligible for a medical license or already have one. Admissions requirements vary by school, but most medical schools require letters of recommendation in addition to the prerequisite courses and MCAT scores. The last 2 years are comprised of clinical rotations in teaching hospitals where students gain hands-on experience in patient evaluation and treatment in a variety of areas. Medical schools demand all the desiring plastic surgeons to complete premedical courses during a student’s undergraduate years. Change in lifestyle and modernization has made people conscious of their physical appearance. These programs are usually highly selective and accept only a few applicants a year. Below is more detailed information about plastic surgeon education requirements, from an undergraduate degree to fellowship training. They acquire particular skills and knowledge. How to Become a Physician or Surgeon. For this, a physician should complete a course of five to eight years of training after graduating from a medical school. Plastic surgeons improve the cosmetic aspects of the human body. I often receive emails from fellow PA Students with question on how to become a Plastic Surgery PA. At the AAPA Conference in San Antonio I spent a lot of time talking to students and PA's on what is the best way to get into this field. 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