Vascular Surgery

Vascular surgeons diagnose, treat and manage patients who experience conditions associated with the arteries and veins. Vascular surgeons treat a range of health problems, from spider and varicose veins to life-threatening aneurysms. Vascular surgeons additionally aid in the management of chronic conditions via medical therapy, minimally invasive catheter procedures and surgical reconstruction.

I was attracted to Vascular Surgery as it requires exacting technical skills, high-level communication skills and strong teamwork within a multi-disciplinary team and the result of our intervention is immediate life and/or limb saving outcomes for patients. The treatment of arterial disease continues to evolve rapidly, and the profession has evolved with it, offering both traditional open surgery and minimally invasive percutaneous options within the one specialty.

Dr Tim McGahan
Director of Vascular Surgery

Clinical Practice

Vascular surgeons work within both public and private health settings to provide preventative and curative specialised services across the spectrum of vascular conditions. Procedures commonly performed by vascular surgeons include angioplasty, atherectomy and stenting, arteriovenous fistula creation, carotid endarterectomy, carotid stenting, surgical aneurism repair and surgical bypass.

Statistics and information - Vascular Surgery

Number of specialists - QLD

Number of new fellows - QLD

Number of specialists - AUS

Number of new fellows - AUS

Average weekly hours
QLD

Average Age
QLD

% Aged 60+
QLD

39% of the QLD 2017 workforce intend to retire by 2027

Proportion Female/Male - QLD

Male
Female

Location - QLD

Regional
Major cities

Public/Private QLD

Private
Public

Number of trainees - QLD

Number of new trainees - QLD

Number of trainees - AUS

Number of new trainees - AUS

PGY new trainees - QLD

Proportion Female/Male - QLD

Male
Female

College

Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

Length of Training

5 years full-time

Method of Allocation

College-selected trainees may be allocated to a training post by:

  • College
  • Queensland Health pathway/network (centrally coordinated)
  • Queensland Health facility (accredited for training)

Training and assessment summary

For detailed information in relation to training and assessment requirements, please contact RACS.

Training program overview

Vascular surgery trainees are selected directly into the sub-specialty and progress through the SET (Surgical Education and Training) program, an integrated program designed to provide clinical and operative experience to enable trainees to investigate and treat conditions of the arteries and veins. The main components of SET training are placements in hospital posts, short courses (skills and specialty-specific), research and assessments. Upon completing all requirements of the training program, trainees may apply for admission to Fellowship of RACS.

Eligibility

Applicants must have permanent residency or citizenship of Australia and New Zealand at the time of registration and hold general (unconditional) medical registration in Australia or general scope or restricted general scope registration in the relevant specialty in New Zealand. Applicants are also required to have successfully completed the RACS Hand Hygiene Learning Module and RACS Let’s Operate With Respect eModule and must have passed the RACS Generic Surgical Science Examination (GSSE). In addition, applicants must have completed 8 weeks general surgery rotation, 16 weeks vascular surgery rotation and 8 weeks rotation in an intensive care unit. Further details are available from RACS.

Flexibility

Minimum 50% of full-time commitment however trainees must apply to the relevant specialty board at least 6 months prior to the proposed commencement of part-time training. Training must be completed within 9 years.

Interrupted training

Trainees must apply to the relevant specialty board by the 1 June in the year prior to the proposed commencement of the training in which the interruption will commence.

Data Sources