How does the surgeon general get job?

Nomination Process

The Surgeon General of the United States is appointed by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the Senate. While there are no formal educational or experience requirements for the Surgeon General, the position is typically filled by a physician with extensive experience in public health and leadership. The President usually selects the Surgeon General from a list of candidates recommended by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Job Duties

The Surgeon General is the principal advisor to the President, the Secretary of HHS, and the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) on public health matters. The Surgeon General's duties include:

* Providing leadership and direction for the USPHS

* Developing and implementing national health policy

* Promoting public health and preventing disease

* Communicating public health information to the public

* Collaborating with other government agencies, healthcare organizations, and international partners on public health issues

Qualifications

While the Surgeon General position does not have formal education or experience requirements, the ideal candidate typically has a combination of the following:

* A medical degree (MD or DO)

* Extensive experience in public health

* Leadership experience in healthcare or public health

* Strong communication and interpersonal skills

* A commitment to public service

The Surgeon General's term of office is four years, and the position is subject to renewal by the President. However, the Surgeon General can be removed from office at any time by the President without cause.

Current Surgeon General

The current Surgeon General of the United States is Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy, MD. He was nominated by President Barack Obama in November 2014 and confirmed by the Senate in December 2014. Vice Admiral Murthy is the 21st Surgeon General of the United States.