Air Force AFSC · Medical
45SX Surgeon
Overview
Surgeons perform operating room procedures to diagnose, repair, or treat medical problems according to each patient’s needs. They may practice general surgery or specialize in areas such as cardiac or pediatric surgery.
Core Skills
- clinical decision making
- use of electronic health records
- operating room technology utilization
- interdisciplinary team leadership
- process and quality improvement
- clinical data interpretation
- documentation and reporting
- patient communication and education
- risk management and safety practices
Civilian Software & Tools
- Epic Systems
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Windows
- Computer imaging software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Human resources management system HRMS
- Image-guided surgery software
- Integra Radionics NeuroSight Arc
Civilian Career Paths
- Physician
- Surgery
Training & Development
Getting Started
- State Medical License (MD/DO)
- BLS
- ACLS
Career Growth
- Board Certification in Surgery (ABS or specialty board)
Also Common
- Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
What the Work Involves
- Administer general and local anesthetics.
- Collaborate with other professionals, such as restorative dentists and orthodontists, to plan treatment.
- Evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth to determine whether problems exist currently or might occur in the future.
- Perform surgery to prepare the mouth for dental implants and to aid in the regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues.
- Remove impacted, damaged, and non-restorable teeth.
Related Occupations
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
- Urologists
- Anesthesiologists
- Prosthodontists
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: graduate-level education or extensive experience.
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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