What does a transplant surgeon do?
A transplant surgeon is a medical expert who specializes in organ transplants, such as heart, kidney, liver, and lung. Besides performing life-saving surgeries, they also study the patients' and donors' medical histories, conduct extensive research and analysis to ensure the compatibility of patients and donors, coordinate with fellow experts from planning to execution, and provide care to patients before and after surgeries. Moreover, a transplant surgeon may also share their expertise and participate in research studies.
Transplant surgeon responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real transplant surgeon resumes:
- Coordinate with patients and medical staff at civilian and military treatment facilities to schedule medical appointments and retrieve medical documentation.
- Handle confidential and sensitive information with accuracy and according to HIPAA policies.
Transplant surgeon skills and personality traits
We break down the percentage of Transplant Surgeons that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Private Practice, 100%
Employed private practice position with emphasis on reconstructive and cosmetic procedures of the breast, body, and skin structures
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a transplant surgeon to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "physicians and surgeons need to be excellent communicators." Transplant surgeons often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "expanded on communication skills with doctors and nurses from the various units as well as patients. "
Detail oriented. Another essential skill to perform transplant surgeon duties is detail oriented. Transplant surgeons responsibilities require that "patients must receive appropriate treatment and medications." Transplant surgeons also use detail oriented in their role according to a real resume snippet: "register new patients and update existing detailed patient information including personal and financial information. "
Leadership skills. This is an important skill for transplant surgeons to perform their duties. For an example of how transplant surgeon responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "physicians who work in their own practice must manage a staff of other professionals." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a transplant surgeon: "delivered advice to surgeon general and executive leadership on public health policies, project implementation, and milestone establishment. ".
Physical stamina. transplant surgeon responsibilities often require "physical stamina." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "physicians and surgeons should be comfortable lifting or turning disabled patients, or performing other physical tasks." This resume example shows what transplant surgeons do with physical stamina on a typical day: "analyzed patient's medical history, physical condition, examined results to verify any necessary operations and to determine best procedure. "
Problem-solving skills. Another common skill required for transplant surgeon responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." This skill comes up in the duties of transplant surgeons all the time, as "physicians and surgeons need to evaluate patients’ symptoms and administer the appropriate treatments." An excerpt from a real transplant surgeon resume shows how this skill is central to what a transplant surgeon does: "solved many problems with patients accounts if any. "
The three companies that hire the most transplant surgeons are:
- Baylor Scott & White Health6 transplant surgeons jobs
- Nationwide Children's Hospital2 transplant surgeons jobs
- Henry Ford Health System2 transplant surgeons jobs
Compare different transplant surgeons
Transplant surgeon vs. Eye physician
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between transplant surgeons and eye physician. For instance, transplant surgeon responsibilities require skills such as "liver," "private practice," "glucose checks," and "troubleshoot." Whereas a eye physician is skilled in "exam rooms," "eye drops," "patient appointments," and "patient charts." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that eye physicians earn slightly differ from transplant surgeons. In particular, eye physicians are 14.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a transplant surgeon. Additionally, they're 32.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Transplant surgeon vs. Surgeon's assistant
Each career also uses different skills, according to real transplant surgeon resumes. While transplant surgeon responsibilities can utilize skills like "liver," "private practice," "glucose checks," and "troubleshoot," surgeon's assistants use skills like "patients," "ortho," "emr," and "epic."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Surgeon's assistants tend to reach lower levels of education than transplant surgeons. In fact, they're 18.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 32.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Transplant surgeon vs. Upper extremity surgeon
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a transplant surgeon is likely to be skilled in "liver," "private practice," "glucose checks," and "troubleshoot," while a typical upper extremity surgeon is skilled in "surgical procedures," "physical therapy," "appointment scheduling," and "clinical education."
Most upper extremity surgeons achieve a higher degree level compared to transplant surgeons. For example, they're 8.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 37.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Transplant surgeon vs. Foot and ankle surgeon
Types of transplant surgeon
Updated January 8, 2025
