Thursday, July 28, 2011

Top Medical Careers for Women

Medical career is not merely confined to becoming doctors and nurses, it has a broader perspective today, where women are recruited at a large scale in its allied sectors like, medical writing, coding, transcription, technology, etc. Studying medicine is no doubt challenging, but the results that you get after years of labor is absolutely satisfying. Medical careers are honorable and lucrative at the same time. The growth curve of your career ascends with substantial years of experience in the respective field. Women also enjoy dignity and respect in their profession, which is probably more important than money.

Best Medical Careers for Women

Although, doctors have remained in the topmost position, yet other types of health jobs have equally attracted women. However, if you are eager to step into the dynamic environment of a hospital, then you must have a higher degree in medicine. So what are the top medical careers for women? Let's find out.

Gynecologist
Someone had once said that a woman can only understand a woman. Probably it's the reason why a woman prefers vising a female gynecologist for discussing her health related issues. The profession of a gynecologist well suits a woman and it's perhaps the best medical job for her. You have to take up the general medical exam to acquire an MBBS degree. After completion of MBBS, you can go for a master's or doctorate degree in gynecology and then you can practice on completion of your course. Obstetrics is also a part of your master's degree course and you will be known as OB/GYN in that case. In such cases, post natal care will also be a part of your job.

Pediatric
The joy and satisfaction a woman receives in treating children cannot be equaled to any other medical career. You will have to undergo specialized medical training in order to supervise the health of children. You should have an MBBS degree and then go for pediatrics study. You have to study child health in detail and specialize in diagnostic and treatment techniques meant for children. Dealing with children and taking care of their health, infuse a sense of accomplishment within women. Apart from all these, you are required to be mentally strong enough to perform surgery on newborn babies and children of all age groups.

Health Advisor
You can become a health adviser if you have studied medicines. Completion of advanced courses in health and nutrition can also make you a health adviser at reputed hospitals or health sectors. It's a stable career and you have to counsel patients and general people for betterment in their health. Such jobs are mostly available at obesity care units, tuberculosis centers, pre and post natal units, cardiac sectors and many more. You have to also keep a record of their health status and guide them accordingly. Salary of health advisers increase considerably after one or two years of experience.

Physician
An MBBS degree is all needed to become a physician. However, you must have the practice license with you. Job opportunities of general physicians are high and you can set up your own clinic as well. Your responsibilities include treating people on regular basis by giving administration of correct dosage of medicines. Drug therapy and minor surgeries are also performed by physicians for curing people from general health ailments. You can go for a doctorate degree to add an edge to your skills and qualifications. Practice license is needed for getting a job in nursing homes and hospitals after having experience through internships.

Nurse
Nursing as a profession is excellent for women. It's one of those best jobs that a woman can think of pursuing, if only she has the inherent desire to help and serve her patients. Nursing careers are versatile and you can take up the nursing exams to become a certified nurse. Pursuing higher studies in nursing always proves advantageous in progress of your career. The responsibilities of a nurse are high and it might be the reason behind recruiting women as nurses at such a large scale. Your designation will depend upon your expertize and so would be your pay.

Allied Services

    * Medical transcriptionist
    * Medical coding
    * Medical writing
    * Hospital manager
    * Chief medical officer

Although deciding the best medical career depends on her personal choice and preference, we have sorted out the medical jobs that are considered to be suitable for a woman. If you are keenly interested in making a career in medicine, then take up studies seriously and start preparing for the medical entrance exams to get a chance in those world class medical schools.

Sterile Processing Technician Salary

Medicine, undoubtedly, has expanded its horizons in the last few decades. Today, the variety of surgical procedures has grown significantly, and so have the medical equipments. The main aim of health care professionals is to provide efficient and economical treatment to their patients, with no compromises being done with their safety. This is where sterile processing comes to play its part. A sterile processing technician disassembles, cleans, assembles, and packages surgical instruments, and later on, supplies them to health care facilities, where they're brought into use for day-to-day operations. Infection prevention and regulation is their key duty, and this makes their job one of the most important jobs in the medical fraternity. The reason being the fact that when it comes to patient safety, the instruments need to be sterilized and infection-free.

Sterile processing technicians are knowledgeable of all processes associated with the inspection, cleaning, assembling, and packaging of surgical equipment, so as to ensure the aseptic supply of material to health care facilities. A job as a sterile processing technician can help you lay a foundation to an interesting career, where you meet new patients everyday in the most reputable medical institutions of the world. Well, that does reflect in the impressive sterile processing technician salary figures. The following section tells exactly how much does a sterile processing technician make. Let's take a look.

Average Salary of Sterile Processing Technicians

Given that sterile processing is a field of medicine, growth and development in this area are ever-growing, and job opportunities are going to increase significantly in the next few years. The job profile requires technicians to be detail-oriented and careful, and as a result, the salary is highly driven by the performance, the workplace, the geographical region, and most importantly, the number of years of relevant work experience. The average annual salary of sterile processing technicians in the United States of America is between $23,000 - $46,000, depending upon the geographical region that a technician chooses to work in, and the experience they hold. The following tabular data represents the annual average sterile processing technician salary in all major states of the US. Take a look, and select your area of work accordingly.

    * Alabama - $25,000
    * Arizona - $27,000
    * Alaska - $33,000
    * Arkansas - $23,000
    * Colorado - $31,000
    * California - $33,000
    * Connecticut - $35,000
    * Delaware - $31,000
    * District of Columbia - $46,000
    * Florida - $27,000
    * Georgia - $28,000
    * Hawaii - $29,000
    * Idaho - $26,000
    * Illinois - $31,000
    * Indiana - $26,000
    * Iowa - $25,000
    * Kansas - $26,000
    * Kentucky - $25,000
    * Louisiana - $25,000
    * Maine - $26,000
    * Massachusetts - $36,000
    * Michigan - $31,000

   

    * Minnesota - $31,000
    * Mississippi - $23,000
    * Missouri - $27,000
    * Montana - $24,000
    * Nebraska - $26,000
    * Nevada - $27,000
    * New Jersey - $34,000
    * New Mexico - $26,000
    * New York - $34,000
    * North Carolina - $27,000
    * Ohio - $30,000
    * Oklahoma - $25,000
    * Oregon - $34,000
    * Pennsylvania - $28,000
    * South Carolina - $25,000
    * South Dakota - $23,000
    * Tennessee - $26,000
    * Texas - $27,000
    * Utah - $27,000
    * Virginia - $31,000
    * Washington - $32,000
    * Wisconsin - $28,000


Note: The above mentioned salaries are approximate and may be subject to change.

Undoubtedly, the salary figures might have instigated you to grab a path to this career at the quickest. However, the educational qualifications are worth a concern before you decide to become a sterile processing technician. To become one, the minimum requirement is a high school diploma, and a sterile processing training program, where you will get acquainted with sterilization techniques, and patient safety. Along with the training program, one needs to be knowledgeable of the basic medical terminology as well as all surgical instruments and their uses in daily operations. All these requisites make up for your first step to become a sterile processing technician in a reputable medical institution, along with taking a hefty salary back home.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Health Care Career Opportunities Growing as Baby Boomer Generation Ages

It was long feared that the aging of the baby boomer generation would bring about a healthcare crisis in the United States, and our nation’s politicians have planned accordingly. Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid benefits have been implemented several times over the last decade, and congress has recently proposed a package that would reduce benefits 40% over the next 9 years, while raising premiums 20%. Still, every cloud seems to indeed have a silver lining, as one positive to result from the increased burden to the health care system can be seen in the number of health industry jobs projected to become available over the next ten years. In the next ten years, the single fastest growing employment sector in the U.S. will be in gerontology and senior healthcare.

Still, a new problem emerges when considering the supply of trained healthcare workers vs. the number of adults whose aging is expected to increase the population of the 55 to 65 year old category over the next decade. Worker shortages for the healthcare industry are inevitable, which means career opportunities will be not only plentiful, but more lucrative overall as a result.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare related jobs are expected to grow faster than the national average for all other industries through 2014 and likely beyond. The nursing field, in particular, is the second fastest-growing occupation for job growth over the next decade. The number of current nursing professionals approaching retirement is growing far faster than the number of nursing program graduates, and recruitment efforts by healthcare organizations are already underway. Nursing salaries have risen substantially over the last several years, and increases are expected as competition for workers becomes more prevalent. Sign on bonuses that were once unheard of are now commonplace, and those entering the field have more options than ever in terms of the type of facility they wish to work in.

Home health care aid positions are expected to rise as well, with more and more Americans choosing to forgo assisted living options and instead remain independent. Jobs on the administrative end of the healthcare industry are also on the rise as insurance companies brace for the tide of health claims expected to hit the industry. As with all employment sectors that have a limited supply of qualified personnel and an increasing demand for them, wages and salaries will continue to rise until positions are filled.

Those entering college or technical school programs can find increased salary potential and job security in the healthcare sector. While the price of health care is rising, so are the potential employment opportunities in an industry that will struggle to meet the demands of the current aging population.

Bright Careers With Medical Studies

Where to study

As in the case of allopathic medicine, full-fledged bachelors and master's degrees in traditional medicine (e.g., BUMS for Unani, BAMS for Ayurveda and BHMS for Homeopathy) are offered at a large number of specialist medical colleges all over the country.

In the 5-year BAMS course, you will not only study the allopathic system of medicine, but also traditional Indian Medicine, which includes Shalya Chikitsa (ENT), Shalya Chikitsa (surgery), Sukrita (gynaecology & obstetrics), Panchkarma (purification therapy), etc. Similarly, for the other systems of medicine, discussed above.

As in the case of Allopathic medicine, you require Physics, Chemistry and Biology in Class 12 to be eligible for the courses. Selection is based on merit in the entrance exam.

Ayurveda:

Bachelors in Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (BAMS) is a 51/2 -year course

Bharati Vidyapeeth, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Pune 411 030 (Deemed) (Mah), www.bharatividyapeeth.com

Gujarat Ayurved University, Admn. Bhavan, Hospital Road, Jamnagar 361008 (Guj), (www.ayurveduniversity.com)

Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi 110 062 (UT), www.jamiahamdard.org

Rajeev Gandhi University of Health Sciences, 4th 'T' Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore 560 041 (Kar)

University of Calicut, Calicut 673 635 (Ker)
University of Delhi, Faculty of Ayurvedic & Unani Medicine, Delhi 11 0 007 (UT), www.du.ac.in

University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram 695 034 (Ker) (www.keralauniversity.edu)
(For details and list of courses in Ayurveda, log on to www.indiamedicine.nic.in)

Homoeopathy

BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine & Surgery) -- 5½-year course

Guru Gobind Singh Indraparstha University, (Dr. B.R. Sur Homoeopathic College, Hospital & Research Centre, New Delhi 110028). http://ggsipu.nic.in,

www.delhihomeo.com

Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik 422005, www.muhsnashik.com)

North Gujarat University, University Road, Patan 384 265 (www.ngu.ac.in)
NTR University of Health Science, Hyderabad 500016 (AP)

University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700073

University of Delhi, (Nehru Homeopathy Medical College, New Delhi 110024, www.du.ac.in

(For details of and recognition status of courses etc, contact: Central Council For Homeopathy, 61-65, Janakpuri Institutional Area, New Delhi 110058)

Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences

Accepting Yoga as a scientific tool for balanced and all-round development of the human personality, 32 Indian Universities have established Departments of Yoga to impart education ranging from Certificate, Diploma, Degree and Ph.D & Teacher's Training Programmes. However, presently, only five universities in India offer degree at their affiliated colleges.

BNYS (Bachelor of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences) — 5½-year course

NTR University of Health Science, Hyderabad 500016 (AP) (Gandhi Nature Cure College, Begampet)

Pt R S Shukla (Sh Mahavir Prakritic & Yoga Vigyan Mahavidyalaya, Nagpura Durg
Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Science ((Kar)

Sri D M College of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, Ujire)

Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University, Vijaywada (AP)

(Tamil Nadu College of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, Salem 636 006 (T.N)

JSS College of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, Ootacamund)

(For details, contact the Central Council of Research in Yoga & Naturopathy: www.ccryn.org )

Unani

The 51/2- year BUMS (Bachelor's in Unani Medical Science) is offered at 12 Universities.
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, (www.amu.nic.in)

Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal 462026

Devi Ahilya Vishwidyalaya, Indore 452001, (www.davv.ac.in)

Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, (www.jamiahamdard.edu)

Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik 422005,
(www.muhsnashik.com)

TN Dr MGR University of Health Sciences, Chennai 600032

(Note: This is an indicative listing in alphabetical order. The courses are offered at the University Departments or at the constituent/affiliated colleges of the university. Please check the respective websites for details).

In fact, WHO has assessed the total world market for alternative medicine at a whopping Rs. 51,210 crore. The market for herbal remedies alone is pegged at $5 trillion with an annual growth of 11 per cent.

S.C. Mishra is a well-known Career Counsellor. His areas of expertise include such things as counseling in Careers in Medicine, Careers in IT, Careers in Beauty Therapy and much more. A professional all-rounder, he has written a book on Jobs in India and a Blog – on India Job Site.

Rehabilitation Therapist Assistant

In the specialized field of rehabilitation therapy, rehabilitation therapist assistant plays a vital role in helping physically challenged individuals acquire skills that will enhance their quality of life.

Typical Duties of Therapy Assistant

Rehabilitation therapy assistants help therapists in implementing high quality rehabilitation services in the fields of physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech language pathology. In an ethical, caring and sensitive manner, they serve developmentally disabled patients to help regain their physical, social and mental abilities through therapeutic activities and exercises. Other responsibilities of rehabilitation therapist assistants include documenting the patients’ progress, assisting in developing and implementing new programs/techniques and assisting in patient screening.

Work Environment

Thus, qualified candidates with or without experience can work with patients in carrying out therapeutic activities under the supervision of rehabilitation therapists in a variety of settings - mental health facilities, community care centers, long term acute care rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, hospitals and institutions - in both rural and urban areas. Candidates with essential requirements can opt for part-time, full-time, temporary, permanent, short term, long term, direct, contract or travel jobs.

Qualifications

In addition to successfully completing a two-year associate’s degree or 1-year certificate program from a recognized school or college, candidates must pass a national certification exam. With these educational qualifications, candidates can practice in most states as rehabilitation therapy assistants.

Job Benefits

Depending on qualification and experience, the salary package for therapy assistants may vary. The other benefits include -

Paid housing
Completion bonuses
Travel expenses
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
Healthcare insurance
Section 125 Cafeteria Plan
Professional liability insurance
Continuing education
Additional state license
Short-term disability insurance
Cancer insurance
Immigration processing (for foreign trained candidates)
Relocation expenses

Utilize the Services of Recruitment Agencies

In today’s healthcare field, a number of rehabilitation therapist assistant vacancies are rising up. To fill these job positions, employers and candidates depend heavily on recruiting service providers, who are committed to bringing together the best medical facilities and top professionals.

Becoming a Holistic Health Practitioner

The philosophy behind the practice of holistic health is to enhance the natural healing ability of the body by boosting the immune system. Unlike a health practitioner who emphasizes on safe methods of diagnosis and treatment of a patient, a holistic health practitioner takes care of the overall health of the person, that is physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, bio-energetic and socio-cultural aspects.

Alternative medicine forms a base for practicing holistic health. The major treatment methods of holistic health include reiki, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), herbology, homeopathy, chiropractics, nutritional counseling, yoga, acupressure, massage therapy, reflexology and breathing exercises. According to the American Holistic Health Association, holistic health improves the health and wellness of a person.

Becoming a Holistic Health Practitioner

Before enrolling for a holistic health course, you can research on the duties and responsibilities of a holistic health practitioner. There are several programs related to holistic medicine and holistic health. There are short duration programs that involve a few months training, while there are also degree courses that require three years of study. The former are useful, in case you are already an acupuncturist or a massage therapist. However, if you want to become a holistic health practitioner, you need to undertake a degree course in holistic health.

While deciding to take up a holistic health program, make sure you do sufficient research regarding the courses offered by the holistic health institutes. Since, holistic health is a diverse field with many areas of specialization (massage therapy, yoga, acupressure, homeopathy etc.), some institutes may offer a limited choice. It is advisable to enroll in the institute that offers the field that you want to major in down the line.

Once, you complete your training course in holistic health, you can opt for a certification program in your specialization. Certificates are an added advantage to prove your excellence in a specific field. Many students opt for certifications, as it increases business as well as job opportunities. In case, your institute does not provide certifications, you can enroll in other holistic health schools and universities.

As soon as you complete your certification, you can choose to practice, either on your own or in hospitals and clinics. Another option is that you work for one or two years to gain experience before starting your own business. Though, there are advantages of owning a business in holistic health, one needs to have the confidence to practice on your own and keep flexible timings. It is estimated that a licensed holistic health practitioner with a doctorate degree can earn an average income of about $60,000 per year.

After completing the training course in holistic health, it is advisable to attempt the licensing exam. This way, you can become a licensed holistic health practitioner in your specialization.

Nowadays, many people opt for natural healing and hence, holistic heath practitioners are in high demand. This may be due to the fact that there are no side effects of holistic health, provided one consults a licensed practitioner. A holistic health practitioner can also opt for counseling and teaching holistic health techniques. For becoming a counselor, you need to have a master's degree in holistic health counseling and also qualify in the relevant licensing exam.

Types of Doctors

There are different types of doctors who treat diverse diseases and disorders. They specialize in one field and carry on their service in the same field. They are experts and professionals in whatever medical work the carry out. There are doctors who treat and cure eye, ear, teeth, nose, bones, kidneys, or heart problems.

Types of Doctors

Psychiatrist
These doctors specialize in the prevention and intervention of mental, emotional, or behavioral diseases, and prescribe suitable medicaments for various conditions, from depression to schizophrenic psychosis. They are also known as 'head doctors' and undertake psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and psychoanalysis. These doctors are responsible for dealing with people who are mentally challenged. They check if the mental sickness is because of stress or physical conditions like a tumor in the brain. They conduct a detailed study of the emotional problem and assist the patient to treat and cure it. There are in regular contact with patients to know their real mental state of mind, and then suggest or plan a therapy.

Nephrologist
They are medical professionals who treat various kidney disorders, and deal with people who are adverted to them by specialists in internal medicine, when severe kidney disorders are diagnosed. They treat the disorders by using medicaments, or by removing wastes and harmful toxins from the body with specialized medical equipments. If there is a need for a surgery wherein the kidney needs to be replaced or removed, nephrologists initiate the operation. They carry out kidney biopsies which are useful in the diagnosis of several kidney diseases. Nephrologists are soundly established in general medicine too, with a specific concentration in the physiological procedures carried out by the kidneys. Some are even well versed in biochemistry and the instruments of modern biochemical analysis. A good nephrologist is conversant with the latest computerized diagnostic equipments and kidney dialysis machines.

Optometrist
When one has an eye problem, the first step he has to take is to approach an optometrist, who is a healthcare expert in the field of eye disorders. Optometrists perform a thorough testing of the eye and the visual system, determine the nature of the problem, and suggest and prescribe appropriate treatment methods. If any pathologic condition is diagnosed after the analysis, they instantly suggest the patient to visit an ophthalmologist for further medical treatments or surgery. They also advice the patient about the power of the lens which needs to be given by the ophthalmologist.

Dermatologist
The doctors who cure all types of skin diseases and disorders like acne, psoriasis, and skin cancer, are known as dermatologists. They also have an understanding about various skin diseases which may affect other parts of the body. Nowadays, many skin complications and allergies are coming into existence, which are being be treated and cured by dermatologists.

Neurologist
They are adept in the study of the nervous system which covers the brain, the 'medulla spinalis', and the complicated working of the nerve network. They hold expertise in diagnosing and treating various nervous system diseases. As infections and disorders in any part of the body may lead to severe nervous system complications, neurologists must be well aware of the total functioning of the human body.

Dentist
These doctors are related to the treatment and cure of all oral complications such as teeth, mouth, and jaw problems. Many people choose a dentist with a general practice for routine checkups, but may need to approach a dentist who is proficient in treating complicated oral disorders in the case of problems which may need specialized treatment. They are responsible for straightening of teeth, curing gum problems, carrying out root canal procedures, and tooth extraction.

However, there are many more doctors who treat and cure several other diseases. Doctors are highly skilled in their field, and are well believed of starting to treat a disorder or illness just by their touch.

How to Become a Recreational Therapist

Some days are simply made for playing. ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

It is true that all work and no play makes life worthless. It sets in a monotony, which seems to strangle one's mental sanity. This hampers work and degenerates output. To maintain a certain quality of life, one needs to indulge in recreational activities from time to time. Being proactive about doing something new, takes the mind off routine and helps in thinking differently. A recreational therapist's job is to help patients suffering from various disabilities, with recreational activities such as dancing, singing, drawing, playing a sport, cooking, gardening, looking after pets, and so forth. The whole point is to channelize their energies in a constructive way and divert their mind from the illnesses. Let's see how to become a recreational therapist, to help people change their situations.

How to Become a Certified Recreational Therapist

Educational Qualification
A bachelor's degree is the basic qualification that one requires to kick-start a career as a recreational therapist. Thus, if you aspire to be one, then enroll yourself in a college that offers a degree course that specializes in recreational therapy. A course as such covers subjects such as planning and treating patients with mental and physically disorders. Understanding of human anatomy, physiology, intervention design, abnormal psychology, medical and psychiatric terminology, characteristics of disorders and ethics for a professional life. One can also combine a few subjects to get an insight of certain aspects of recreational therapy. After basic graduation, one can pursue a master's degree or a doctoral degree too. However, with a bachelor's degree, one can look out for entry level jobs as a recreational therapist.

Internship
To understand the requirements of being a recreational therapist, one needs to get some hands-on experience. Thus, while you are pursuing your bachelor's degree, intern at a few places to learn your subjects better. Interning also helps in getting an in-depth perspective into matters that are otherwise restricted to textbooks. Working as a student will help you improve on your social interaction skills too, which is the most crucial part of being a recreational therapist.

Getting a License
To practice any kind of a medicine related profession, one needs to obtain a license. Depending on the state you are residing in, find out the requirements of a getting a recreational therapist's license. You may have to appear for a few exams to get a license as a recreational therapist, over and above your educational qualifications.

Certifications
This part of how to become a recreational therapist is about getting your certifications. Most employers prefer candidates who are certified. The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) is an association that provides this certification. There is a written examination and an internship of 480 hours.

The recreational therapist job description includes planning relevant activities for patients. They also have to maintain documentation of the patients and report to doctors and family members on regular basis about the patient's recovery progress. A recreational therapist has to be a part of the physical activities and motivate the patient to use the activities to their full advantage.

The most important part of how to become a recreational therapist is to be a people's person. Anyone can get a degree and add feathers to their educational qualifications. However, to excel at this job, it is necessary to have qualities of kindness and compassion. Patience, empathy, diligence and dedication are some of the virtues of a successful recreational therapist. One needs to have accurate observation acumen, to understand the patient in greater depth, beyond the disorder. Being patient and positive about your patients sometimes helps in their speedy recovery, and develops a relationship of utmost trust. A career as a recreational therapist is a demanding one. However, besides its monetary rewards, it gives one the power to change lives of many in a lot of ways.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Surgeon Salary by Specialty

No sarcasm or offense to any person's ambitions or dreams, but anyone who wants to become a surgeon, for the hefty paycheck, well, not recommended. In such case, the probability of failure in qualifying as a surgeon is quite high. Once a surgery teacher, in a speech, commented that there are three qualities that a person needs to have, in order to become a great surgeon, one, lovely fingers, two, a passion to study medicine and the human body, and three, an aptitude to analyze, assess, figure out, study and reach an unbeaten and unchallenged conclusion with regards to a said medical situation, within a matter of seconds. Overall, it is tough to become a qualified surgeon, and moreover, it is even more difficult to become a good surgeon after you have passed out from surgery school. It must be noted that a person has to study medicine and became a physician or other doctor to become a surgeon.

The Scope of Surgery

What makes a surgeon's job description, different than a general physician or a specialist? The answer is simple, in the field of medicine, a surgeon is principally an expert in invasive treatment of the human body. The big difference is that a general physician or a specialist makes an external diagnosis and gives an external treatment. A surgeon, on the other hand, cuts open the body, to repair the damage. Sounds a bit brutal, but every surgeon actually cuts open the body for treatment. The skill of a surgeon is so sharp and keen that the cutting open of the body to repair any damaged organ is so sophisticated that the remaining organs and the rest of the body, remain in a normal state, undisturbed and functioning perfectly naturally. Hence, a surgeon is a doctor with accurate skill and knowledge. Surgeons are the greatest experts on some specified organs and parts of the human body.

Salary of Surgeons as Per Specialty

Every surgeon has some or the other specialty. The human body is so complicated that it is a near impossible for a surgeon to focus on multiple body parts and organs. Hence surgeons specialized in a single field such as a cardiac surgeon can perform any surgical procedure that is related to the heart, or an orthopedic surgeon can perform a procedure on any bones in the body. The general rule of thumb is that the more complex the surgery procedure, more is the salary of the surgeon. Here are a few inputs regarding the salary of surgeons with respect to their specialization. There are several ways in which surgeons and their specializations are classified. The following are some inputs.

    * General Surgery: The general surgery refers to the surgeons that perform on generalized ailments, that are not exactly relative to one certain organ, but they tend to have knowledge of one surgical procedure for example, plastic surgery, transplant surgery or skin surgery. In detailed procedures, general surgeons function in collaboration with senior and more experienced surgeons who have studied one specified organ or system. The average salary of a general surgeon ranges from $291,000 to $520,000, depending upon skill, experience and reputation.
    * Cardiovascular and Cardiac Surgery: The cardiovascular surgery is the surgery related to heart. Some cardiovascular surgeons start off as general surgeons and then upgrade to cardiovascular procedures. Some surgeons study cardiovascular surgery right from the start. These cardiovascular and cardiac surgeons salary spans out from $558,000 to $852,000.
    * Vascular Surgery: The surgery dealing in the procedures of artery and veins, is known as a vascular surgery. This kind of surgery is closely related with cardiac and cardiovascular surgeries and cardiovascular surgeons and vascular surgeons often work in collaboration. $329,000 to $629,000, is the average range of salary.
    * Urology: The field of urology is a prominent example where surgeons study an entire system, in this case the urinary system or the urinary tract. The urologists who are surgeons earn about $358,000 to $619,000.
    * Dermatology: The field of medicine and surgery that deals with the human skin. Dermatology surgeons often closely work with plastic surgeons. The salary of these surgeons ranges from $308,000 to $452,000.
    * Plastic Surgery: Plastic surgeons deal with reconstruction of certain human body parts, such as skin, certain bones, external or superficial muscles, etc. The average salary of such surgeons ranges from $412,000 to $820,000.
    * Orthopedic Surgery: These surgeons are specialists in human bones and the skeleton. Orthopedic surgeons are probably the highest paid surgeons earning up to about $459,000 to $1,352,000, the orthopedic surgeon salary, though is not the highest one as there are neurosurgeons who earn more than that.

There are some priceless procedures such as the ones that are conducted by neurosurgeons, these surgeons charge obnoxious sums in certain cases, where as in nations like India, they also do the same for free. Spine surgeons and orthodontists are some other examples of surgeons. The usual career path that most surgeons take is that they study and specialize as certain surgeons, following which they work as general surgeons for some years under the mentor-ship of senior surgeons, before developing a highly specialized surgical procedure. Good luck.