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Plastic surgeons are medical professionals who specialize in the repair or reconstruction of various parts of the body to improve appearance.

Their job description entails helping patients enhance their physical features for aesthetic or reconstructive purposes.

In performing their duties, plastic surgeons carry out surgical and non-surgical procedures to enhance patients’ outward appearance.

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2. Education required, including number of years for training

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2. Education required, including number of years for training

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Cosmetic surgeons must undergo substantial education and training, beginning with a bachelor's in a pre-med field and ending with a doctoral degree in medicine or osteopathic medicine, in addition to a lengthy residency. After completing education/training requirements, a state exam must be passed to become licensed.

Prospective cosmetic surgeons typically begin their studies in a bachelor's degree program with a pre-med focus, such as chemistry or physics. After their undergraduate studies, these students typically must complete a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program and a residency, in addition to passing the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), to qualify for state licensure.

The American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS) offers voluntary certification for plastic surgeons (www.abplsurg.org). Various education and training paths can qualify candidates for certification, but the most common is completion of a 5-year general surgery residency followed by a 3-year plastic surgery residency. Candidates also must pass ABPS' written and oral examinations.

Required Education: High school diploma, bachelor's degree in pre-med or a science-heavy field; Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine; residency training.

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3. Licensure, registration or certification required

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3. Licensure, registration or certification required

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State licensure; voluntary certification is available through the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)

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5. Work Environment (where does this person usually work - hospital, clinic, home, etc.)

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5. Work Environment (where does this person usually work - hospital, clinic, home, etc.)

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Because of the variety of work plastic surgeons do, they can be found in a range of work settings. Some are based in hospitals, including academic and community hospitals, while others hold offices in outpatient clinics and private practices.

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According to the ongoing Allied Physicians Salary Survey, plastic surgeons earn anywhere from $237,000 (entry-level) to $820,000 (top earners) per year.

As of 2015 majority of plastic surgeons earned a salary of $407,709.

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6. Work Schedules (number of hours worked per week, days, nights, weekends, etc.)

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6. Work Schedules (number of hours worked per week, days, nights, weekends, etc.)

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After training, the average general surgeon works 50-60 hours per week (not including time available for call). Depending on the practice situation chosen, you can be on call as much as all the time (if in private solo practice) to once a week (if in a large group practice).

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8. Example of a specific post-secondary education that would prepare you for this career: Post-secondary would be a College or University where you could obtain the education required for your selected profession.

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8. Example of a specific post-secondary education that would prepare you for this career: Post-secondary would be a College or University where you could obtain the education required for your selected profession.

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I'm interested in attending Harvard University and their medical school as well. Harvard Medical School offers a combined plastic surgery residency program that provides high-quality education and training to residents, students and fellows in plastic surgery.

Residents participating in this program rotate between five teaching hospitals in Boston, including the Shriners Burns and Children's hospitals. Plastic surgery residents and students at Harvard have opportunities to learn about a wide range of surgeries because of their access to many plastic surgery patients. Harvard Medical School also engages students in a curriculum that covers essential topics in the field such as breast, hand, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

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7. Job outlook (expectation for job availability)

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7. Job outlook (expectation for job availability)

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It doesn't necessarily state the availability for a plastic surgeon career. I would surmise that the plastic surgeon availability would depend on the patient's appointment.