| 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 trauma and elective surgery |
Orthopaedic Surgeon job description template
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Job title: Orthopaedic Surgeon
Department: Clinical and Medical
Reports to: Chief of Surgery
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An Orthopaedic Surgeon treats injuries and diseases of bones, joints, ligaments and the spine. In Indian hospitals the work runs from fracture fixation after road accidents and falls to joint replacement for arthritis, arthroscopy for sports injuries, and treatment of back pain and bone infections. The surgeon runs a busy OPD, operates on fixed OT days and takes trauma calls. A good orthopaedic surgeon fixes fractures well the first time, keeps implant infections rare and plans rehabilitation with physiotherapists.
Key responsibilities
- See OPD patients with fractures, joint pain, back pain, sports injuries and deformities, and order X-rays, MRI or other tests.
- Assess trauma patients in emergency, reduce and splint fractures and dislocations, and decide on surgical fixation.
- Fix fractures with plates, nails, screws or external fixators under C-arm guidance, following AO principles.
- Perform knee and hip replacements for arthritis with careful patient selection, implant planning and infection prevention.
- Perform arthroscopy for ligament and meniscus injuries, including ACL reconstruction where trained.
- Treat bone and joint infections, non-union and implant failure with debridement and staged surgery.
- Apply and review plaster casts, and teach patients cast care and the warning signs of compartment syndrome.
- Plan rehabilitation with physiotherapists after surgery and fractures, including weight bearing and return to work.
- Choose implants with purchase and finance within the package, and fix implant stickers and details in the file.
- Follow operated patients until union and full recovery, and present infections and revisions at the surgical audit.
Requirements
- MS or DNB in Orthopaedics, or D Ortho
- Valid registration with the National Medical Commission or a State Medical Council
- Fellowship in arthroplasty, arthroscopy, spine or trauma is an advantage
- 2 to 7 years after MS, with independent trauma and elective surgery
KRAs and KPIs for a Orthopaedic 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 |
|---|---|
| Implant infection | Deep infection below 1 percent after joint replacement and below 2 percent after fracture fixation each year |
| Open fracture care | Open fractures debrided within 24 hours of arrival in 95 percent of cases |
| Hip fracture timing | Fit elderly hip fracture patients operated within 48 hours of admission in 85 percent of cases |
| Implant records | Implant stickers and details recorded in 100 percent of operation notes |
| Surgical volume | Elective and trauma surgeries at or above the monthly department plan |
| Early mobilisation | Joint replacement patients walking with support by day two in 90 percent of cases |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: C-arm image intensifier, Power drill and saw system, Arthroscopy tower, Joint replacement instrument sets, Traction and plaster equipment, PACS for X-ray review.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Head of Department (Clinical), Chief of Surgery
Interview questions for a Orthopaedic Surgeon
- A 75-year-old woman with a hip fracture has uncontrolled diabetes. How do you plan surgery?
- When would you fix a tibia fracture with a nail, and when with an external fixator?
- Your patient has a hot, swollen knee three weeks after replacement. What do you do?
- How do you counsel a young cricketer about ACL reconstruction and return to sport?
- How do you choose an implant when the patient's package amount is fixed?
- Which signs make you split a cast immediately?
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What does an orthopaedic surgeon do?
An orthopaedic surgeon diagnoses and treats problems of the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and spine. They fix fractures, replace worn-out hips and knees, repair sports injuries through arthroscopy, treat bone infections and deformities, and guide rehabilitation with physiotherapists after injury or surgery.
What is the difference between an orthopaedic surgeon and a physiotherapist?
An orthopaedic surgeon is a doctor who diagnoses bone and joint problems, prescribes medicines and operates. A physiotherapist holds a BPT or MPT degree and treats pain and restores movement through exercise, manual therapy and electrotherapy. Physiotherapists often take over rehabilitation after orthopaedic surgery.
What qualifications does an orthopaedic surgeon need in India?
An orthopaedic surgeon needs an MBBS followed by an MS or DNB in Orthopaedics, or the D Ortho diploma, with valid medical council registration. Many take fellowships in joint replacement, arthroscopy, spine or trauma to build a sub-specialty practice.