Environment for a Cardiothoracic Surgeon

by Bronwyn Timmons
Cardiothoracic surgeons frequently perform life-saving operations.

Cardiothoracic surgeons frequently perform life-saving operations.

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Cardiothoracic surgeons are highly specialized surgeons who operate on the heart, lungs and other thoracic organs. Becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon is no easy feat, as it takes roughly 15 years between college, medical school, residency training and fellowship training. If you're interested in becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon, it's essential that you familiarize yourself with the type of environment you'll be working in.

General Setting

Cardiothoracic surgeons typically work in hospital surgical wards, performing both scheduled and emergency operations on patients. Some work in academic settings or teaching hospitals, helping aspiring surgeons to hone their skills.


Aspiring cardiothoracic surgeons can expect to work long -- and often irregular -- hours once they enter the field. Surgeons often work on-call and can be called in to work whenever an emergency arises and a patient needs surgery immediately. Surgeons working as members of large teams may trade off on-call shifts with other surgeons or alternate between working day and night shifts. No two days of work are ever the same for a cardiothoracic surgeon. He may perform two operations one day and five the next, depending on patients' needs. A demanding work schedule can cause stress and burnout over time for some surgeons.

Work Conditions

Operating rooms are brightly lit and sterile. An aspiring surgeon can expect to work in a clean environment. Surgeons never perform an operation alone and always have a team of assistants or other surgeons present to help them in the operating room. The team work aspect of the job helps ensure that patients receive quality care and can also minimize stress on the surgeon. Many surgeons are satisfied in their careers and feel fulfilled by the work they do every day.

Work Hazards

Despite working in a typically sterile and safe environment, cardiothoracic surgeons also face a number of on-the-job hazards in their everyday work. Sharp surgical tools -- including scalpels, saws and syringes -- can prick or cut a surgeon, exposing her to a variety of diseases and infections. A cardiothoracic surgeon could accidentally get exposed to anesthetic gases or bodily fluids while working in the operating room. Slips and falls are also common in hospitals. Because cardiothoracic surgeons spend the majority of their time standing or bent over an operating table, they're at risk of developing orthopedic problems over time. Cardiothoracic surgeons are constantly facing life or death situations and are tasked with making quick decisions that could potentially lead to the loss of a patient's life. As a result, the high-stress nature of this career can lead to a host of mental health problems over time, including depression, anxiety and job burnout.


Cardiothoracic surgeons are typically well compensated for the long hours they work. According to the Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery, cardiothoracic surgeons earned between $245,000 and $621,000 per year in 2010. Salary is heavily based on experience, so surgeons just starting out can expect to make less than surgeons who have years of experience in the field.

2016 Salary Information for Physicians and Surgeons


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