| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Clinical and Medical |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Chief of Surgery |
| Direct reports | Senior Resident Doctor, Junior Resident Doctor |
| Experience | 2 to 7 years after MS, with independent laparoscopic and emergency surgery |
General Surgeon job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: General Surgeon
Department: Clinical and Medical
Reports to: Chief of Surgery
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A General Surgeon operates on the abdomen, breast, thyroid, hernias, skin and soft tissues, and handles most surgical emergencies in a hospital: appendicitis, bowel obstruction, perforations, abscesses and trauma. In Indian hospitals the general surgeon usually also does laparoscopic gall bladder, hernia and appendix operations. They run OPDs, operate on fixed OT days and take emergency calls. A good general surgeon selects patients carefully, operates safely, and deals with complications early and honestly.
Key responsibilities
- See surgery OPD patients with lumps, hernias, gall stones, piles, fissures, abdominal pain and wounds, and decide on surgery or conservative care.
- Perform elective laparoscopic and open operations such as cholecystectomy, hernia repair, appendicectomy, thyroidectomy and breast surgery.
- Handle surgical emergencies including appendicitis, perforation, bowel obstruction, abscesses and abdominal trauma while on call.
- Complete the pre-operative work-up with the anaesthetist, confirm fitness and fasting, and mark the operation site.
- Explain the operation, alternatives, risks and costs to the patient and family, and take informed consent.
- Write the operation note right after surgery with findings, procedure, specimens sent and post-operative orders.
- Round on post-operative patients daily, manage drains, diet and wounds, and decide the discharge date.
- Treat diabetic foot infections and chronic wounds with debridement and dressing plans, together with the diabetologist.
- Send specimens for histopathology, follow every report and plan further treatment with oncology where needed.
- Present complications and return-to-OT cases at the surgical audit and act on what is learned.
Requirements
- MS or DNB in General Surgery
- Valid registration with the National Medical Commission or a State Medical Council
- Fellowship in minimal access surgery is an advantage
- 2 to 7 years after MS, with independent laparoscopic and emergency surgery
KRAs and KPIs for a General Surgeon
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Surgical site infection | Infection rate in clean surgeries below 2 percent of cases each quarter |
| Return to OT | Unplanned returns to OT within 30 days below 2 percent of operations |
| Emergency response | Emergency calls attended within 30 minutes, with the decision to operate recorded within 2 hours |
| Operation notes | Operation notes written within 1 hour of surgery for 100 percent of cases |
| Histopathology follow-up | Every histopathology report reviewed and explained to the patient within 10 days |
| Surgical volume | Elective operations at or above the monthly plan for allotted OT sessions |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Laparoscopy tower, Electrosurgical unit, Harmonic scalpel, Surgical staplers, Bedside ultrasound, Electronic medical records.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Unit Head (Clinical), Head of Department (Clinical), Chief of Surgery
Interview questions for a General Surgeon
- A 25-year-old with right lower abdominal pain has an unclear ultrasound. How do you decide whether to operate?
- When do you convert a laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery?
- A patient develops a bile leak two days after gall bladder surgery. What do you do and tell the family?
- How do you counsel a woman with a breast lump while the biopsy result is awaited?
- Would you use mesh for an inguinal hernia in a young construction worker? Why?
- Tell me about your worst complication and what you changed afterwards.
Managing a General Surgeon in ZeniaHR
Hire and manage your clinical and medical team in one place
Post the role, onboard the new hire, and track attendance, leave and KRAs in ZeniaHR. Free for your first 50 employees.
Book a free demoSee pricingFrequently asked questions
What does a general surgeon do?
A general surgeon operates on the abdomen, hernias, gall bladder, appendix, breast, thyroid, skin and soft tissues, and treats most surgical emergencies such as appendicitis, perforation, obstruction and trauma. They see patients in OPD, decide who needs surgery, operate, and manage recovery and complications.
What is the difference between a general surgeon and a laparoscopic surgeon?
Laparoscopic surgery is a technique, not a separate specialty. Most general surgeons in India do both open and laparoscopic operations. A surgeon who describes themselves as a laparoscopic surgeon usually has extra training, such as a minimal access fellowship, and does most operations through small keyhole incisions.
What qualification is required for a general surgeon in India?
A general surgeon needs an MBBS followed by a three-year MS or DNB in General Surgery, plus valid medical council registration. Many add a fellowship in minimal access, breast, colorectal or trauma surgery, and those aiming at super-specialties go on to MCh or DrNB.