Crossword Genius

Surgeon who's on the switchboard? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

operator

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'surgeon' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'on the switchboard?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'on' could be 'at' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'at' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'who's' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for operator that I've seen before include "Conductor" , "Agent that runs some apparatus or machine" , "Person working a switchboard" , "Director or controlller of machinery" , "Wheeler-dealer - telephonist" .)

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