Surgeon CV Examples & Templates
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If you’re advancing in your surgical career, whether starting out, applying for a fellowship, or switching workplaces, you need a well-crafted CV that highlights the attributes that make you the ideal candidate.
Our guide and expertly designed CV examples can help you create just that: a CV that highlights your surgical skills, professional achievements and medical contributions in a compelling way.
Look through our examples for inspiration, and use our CV Maker to get started on your search.
You can customize the CV examples above or browse our CV templates library to find other formats that could suit you better.
Surgeon CV Example (Text Version)
Ethan Wang
Boston, MA 02110
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Career Objective
Motivated and highly skilled recent graduated medical doctor committed to pursuing a surgical residency to hone general and trauma surgery expertise. Extensive hands-on experience through clinical rotations, assisting in pre-operative and post-operative care for diverse patient populations. Known for analytical thinking, quick adaptability and collaborative spirit in multidisciplinary teams. Strong foundation in surgical protocols, sterile techniques, and patient safety measures, focusing on delivering high-quality care and improving surgical outcomes. Co-developed a patient care protocol that improved pre-operative preparation efficiency by 20%.
Core Qualifications
- Surgical instrumentation
- Advanced suturing techniques
- Laparoscopic surgery
- Clinical data analysis
- Electronic Health Records (EHR) management
- Surgical simulation software
- Problem-solving
- Patient Communication
Education
Boston University Boston, MA
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
- GPA: 3.8
- Honors: Magna cum laude
- Relevant Coursework: General Surgery, Laparoscopic Surgery, Trauma and Emergency Care, Surgical Oncology
- Special Project: Development of a Novel Surgical Technique for Minimally Invasive Hepatectomy – Presented findings at the American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting.
Boston University Boston, MA
Bachelor of Science Biology
- GPA: 3.8
- Honors: Magna cum laude, Dean’s List (6 semesters)
- Relevant Coursework: Molecular Biology, Genetics, Ecology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Evolutionary Biology, Cell Biology, Research Methods in Biology
Work Experience
May 2023 – Current
St. Mary’s Hospital – Boston, MA
Clinical Clerk – General Surgery
- Assist in over 60 surgeries, including laparoscopic appendectomies, hernia repairs, and mastectomies, under the supervision of attending surgeons.
- Monitor and manage pre-operative and post-operative care for an average of 15 patients daily, ensuring 100% accurate documentation and timely communication with the surgical team.
- Participate in daily rounds and case presentations, contributing to clinical decision-making and patient care planning.
September 2021 – April 2023
Harvard Medical School – Boston, MA
Clinical Research Assistant
- Analyzed clinical trial data for three ongoing surgical research projects, contributing to a 15% improvement in data accuracy.
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to design clinical protocols, leading to IRB approval of a new trial within four months.
- Authored two research abstracts, both accepted and presented at national medical conferences, contributing to increased institutional recognition and attracting over 500 attendees per session.
June 2019 – August 2021
Massachusetts General Hospital – Boston, MA
Volunteer – Student-Run Free Clinic
- Provided surgical consultation support for underserved populations, assisting with triage, basic wound care and minor outpatient procedures, reducing wait times by 30% and improving access to care for over 500 patients annually.
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to develop care plans for patients requiring surgical referrals, ensuring continuity of care and achieving a 95% follow-up compliance rate.
- Delivered educational presentations on surgical topics to clinic staff and medical students, conducting over 15 sessions annually and increasing staff knowledge retention by 40% based on post-presentation assessments.
Research Experience
“Comparative Study of Laparoscopic vs. Open Appendectomy Outcomes” (2024) – Co-investigator, presented findings at the International Surgery Conference 2024.
- Analyzed post-operative recovery data from 200 patients to compare pain levels, complication rates, and hospital stay duration between laparoscopic and open appendectomy procedures.
- Published findings in the Journal of Clinical Surgery, highlighting a 25% faster recovery rate in laparoscopic procedures.
“Innovative Approaches to Surgical Site Infections Prevention” (2022) – Researcher, contributing to a 10% reduction in post-operative infections in the trial cohort.
- Developed a predictive model using patient data from 500 pre-operative assessments to improve risk stratification in elective surgeries.
- Utilized statistical software (SPSS, R) to analyze correlations between pre-operative risk factors and post-operative complications.
“Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration in Post-Surgical Patients” (2019)- Researcher
- Investigated the role of stem cell therapy in accelerating wound healing post-surgery, conducting both in vitro and in vivo experiments.
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to design experimental protocols and analyze histological samples.
Publications
- Wang E. Minimally invasive techniques for hepatobiliary surgery. Ann Surg.2023;267(4):234-241.
- Wang E, Patel A. Surgical site infection prevention strategies: a randomized trial. Br J Surg.2023;159(2):89-94.
- Wang E, Smith A, Patel R. Efficacy of non-surgical interventions in early-stage osteoarthritis: A systematic review. J Clin Orthop Res.2024;15(3):123-130. doi:10.1016/j.jcor.2024.03.001.
- Wang E, Nguyen T, Lee P. Evaluating patient outcomes in post-operative wound care using novel hydrocolloid dressings. Am J Surg Med.2023;12(7):45-52.
- Patel S, Wang E, Williams B. Trends in antimicrobial stewardship in outpatient settings: A multi-center analysis. J Gen Med Pract.2023;20(2):98-106.
Certifications
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) – American Heart Association
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification- American Heart Association (AHA)
- Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) Certification – Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
- Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) – Society of Clinical Research Associates
Training
- Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Training – American College of Surgeons
- Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification – American Heart Association
- Laparoscopic Surgical Techniques Workshop – Massachusetts General Hospital
- Robotic Surgery Training Program – Harvard Medical School
- Emergency Airway Management Training – St. Mary’s Hospital
Important CV Sections
Contact details
Your contact information should be prominent at the top of your CV, making remembering and identifying it easier. It should include:
- Full name.
- City and state (or country) with ZIP code.
- Phone number.
- Email address.
- LinkedIn or other professional profiles.
Make sure that the information is up to date, especially if you’re reusing an old CV. See how to write a CV for additional examples and tips.
Professional summary
At the top of your CV, write a professional summary: an introduction that provides general information about your background and skills. As a surgeon, you should mention your years of experience, specialization and any specific distinctions you bring to the table.
Here’s an example:
Board-certified surgeon with extensive experience in performing complex orthopedic surgical procedures. Dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of patient care, safety and ethical practice. Proficient in the most recent and advanced surgical techniques, including the use of digital templating.
Skills
Skills are an important part of your CV, giving employers a broader picture of you as a professional. Include a mix of soft skills and hard skills that match the job description.
As a surgeon, hard or technical skills might take precedence, including specific techniques, equipment proficiency, and additional areas of expertise. However, don’t leave soft skills entirely out. Skills such as communication and leadership are critical when leading a surgical team.
Work history
Your work history section is where you’ll add the job titles you’ve held and all the tasks and responsibilities that came with them.
Use an inverted chronological order and add the tasks under each position. Use specific words, statistics, action verbs and measurable accomplishments, such as the number of surgeries performed, how many team members you managed or the successful implementation of new methods.
Here are some examples:
- Performed laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, reducing recovery time and minimizing complications.
- Led operating room staff of up to 10 people on a regular basis with seamless workflow.
- Integrated digital templating into the process and trained fellow surgeons on its use.
Education
As a medical professional, the education section is quite straightforward, outlining your medical qualifications, your graduation date and the institution you attended. However, adding relevant details, such as any internships or relevant coursework, is still important.
See why MyPerfectResume is a 5-star resume builder
Action Verbs for Your CV
When writing the tasks you performed in all your past roles, use action verbs that accurately describe what you did.
Here are some examples of action verbs for a surgeon CV:
- Collaborate
- Conduct
- Develop
- Diagnose
- Implement
- Lead
- Manage
- Mentor
- Monitor
- Operate
- Oversee
- Perform
- Prescribe
- Provide
- Tend
- Train
Want more inspiration? We have hundreds of CV examples to help you visualize the ideal layout for your surgeon CV.
Best Skills for Your CV
Many skills are associated with surgery, from research to preventive care to surgery and everything in between. Add all the relevant skills and tailor the list to the different roles you’re applying for.
Remember to add transferable skills that highlight your ability to work with a team, communicate effectively with patients and more.
Here are some valuable skills as a surgeon:
- Advanced imaging interpretation
- Anesthetics knowledge
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Empathy
- Ethical practices
- Infection control
- Leadership
- Medical student mentoring
- Microsurgery
- Research and development
- Stress management
- Technological adaptability
- Trauma surgery
Certifications for Your CV
Aside from the mandatory board certifications applicable (like the American Board of Surgery), there are many certifications that can give you an edge in the medical field and make you a well-rounded surgeon. A prime example is a Certification of Added Qualifications (CAQ) to become certified in other subspecialties.
Since a CV is much longer than a resume, you can list your relevant certifications. Choose the most recent ones or those that best align with the role you’re applying for.
Here are some certifications you might find useful as a surgeon looking for a new job:
- Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Certification
- Fellowship of the American College of Surgeons
- Robotic surgery courses or certifications
- Healthcare Ethics Certificates
Pair your CV with a matching cover letter
FAQ
How do I include advanced surgical techniques in my CV?
You can detail this under the position in which you have performed those techniques and include any relevant coursework or certifications related to them in your education and certifications or skills sections, respectively.
Explain the context in which the procedures took place and the level of success. If it’s a big part of your experience and specialty, you can include it in the professional summary at the top of your CV.
Should I include experience that’s not related to surgery?
Yes, you should include experience outside the medical field if relevant to the job. For example, volunteer work, psychology courses, and leadership seminars could all be significant in highlighting you as a well-rounded candidate who can also contribute outside the operating room.
How can I highlight my leadership in the operating room in my CV?
You can provide details of how you managed an operating room staff, how many, any methods you implemented to improve efficiency, how you managed stress levels and more.
It would be ideal if you could include any measurable achievements, such as improving the duration of surgeries, reducing mistakes and increasing the success rate.
Best Practices
- Write specific and measurable achievements and provide statistics when possible.
- Use action verbs for accuracy and concision.
- Tailor your CV to the role you’re applying for or the institution’s specific mission and philosophy.
- Include keywords that match the job description, such as job titles and technical specifications.
- Use a scannable and ATS-friendly format with bullet points, clearly separated sections and noticeable headers.
- Lie or exaggerate your experience and skills.
- Brag about your achievements with vague words and arrogant language.
- Talk about irrelevant topics, such as social experiences, age or political views.
- Forget to proofread; grammar mistakes can be a red flag.
Top Interview Tips
Learn about the institution beforehand.
To match what the role calls for, research the company or institution as well as you can. This will allow you to prepare for possible interview questions and have answers that align with the employer’s mission and values.
You look into the personnel there, the cases they work with the most, and what methods or technologies they implement into their surgeries. Understanding how the hospital or clinic works will help a lot in the job interview, making your answers more precise.
Practice.
You should always practice before a job interview to reduce nerves and have your talking points ready. Freshen up on technical aspects of your field and look back on important milestones or difficult cases you had to work through.
You can also research behavioral interview questions and carefully prepare your answers. Consider your experience and practice in front of the mirror, or use any other strategy that works for you.
Here are a few examples of common interview questions to prepare for:
Prepare to ask questions.
At the end of every interview, there’s always time for you to ask questions. You can use this time to clear up any doubts and show interest in the position by asking important questions regarding workflow, strategies, processes and more.
Have some good questions ready in advance during your investigation of the institution. Don’t wait to come up with questions during the interview; you might forget and leave with many doubts.
Have references ready.
Let people like mentors, professors or past managers know ahead of time that a potential employer might contact them. This way, you can confidently provide references when asked for them.
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Surgeon CV Example
Carlos Silva is a content writer with a background in education and personal finance. He is committed to helping readers and job seekers navigate the job market effectively in pursuit of their goals.
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