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.

Vascular Surgery – Information

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

42% of 2020 workforce intend to retire by 2030

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

Proportion Female/Male trainees - QLD

Female
Male

2022 QLD Training Program Selections (First Year)

Eligible Applications Received
Applicants Selected

The data on this page compares the number of applicants that were selected to commence their first year of training in Queensland in 2022 to the total number of eligible applications*

The data was sourced from the relevant medical specialist college, or from selection committees coordinated by a Queensland Health pathway/network, or an individual facility.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This data reflects a point in time figure for the selection of applicants commencing the first year of an accredited training program in the 2022 clinical year.

* eligible applications are determined by selection committees according to the eligibility criteria and required documentation prescribed by the relevant medical specialist college.

The data on this page compares the number of applicants that were selected to commence their first year of training in Queensland in 2022 to the total number of eligible applications.

See more.

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 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS).

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 Operating with Respect eModule, and have passed the RACS Generic Surgical Sciences Examination (GSSE) at time of registration or by close of SET applications. In addition, applicants must have completed 8 weeks full time surgical rotation in General Surgery and 16 weeks full time surgical rotation in Vascular Surgery within in 7 years immediately prior. For the 2025 intake into the SET Program, successful completion of the Clinical Examination by date of application must be achieved. Further details are available from RACS.

Flexibility

Minimum 50% of full-time commitment however trainees must apply to the relevant specialty board by 1 June in the year prior to the proposed commencement of part-time training. Flexible training is available to trainees after satisfactory competion of 12 months of training. Training must be completed within 9 years.

Interrupted training

Trainees must apply to the relevant specialty board by 1 June in the year prior to the proposed commencement of the training in which the interruption will commence. Trainees applying for interruption due to medical reasons may do so at any time if supported by medical evidence. Applications for any interruption must be for a period of 1 training year. With the exception of leave for medical or family reasons, trainees cannot apply for leave in the first 6 months of their training.

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