Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Orthopedic Surgeon

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires an experienced Orthopedic Surgeon to provide comprehensive musculoskeletal care across outpatient, inpatient, and operative settings. The ideal candidate diagnoses and treats disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and neuromuscular system using both surgical and nonsurgical approaches, participates in multidisciplinary care, mentors trainees, and contributes to quality improvement and research. Key focus areas include primary and revision arthroplasty (hip, knee, shoulder), arthroscopy, fracture and trauma fixation, and complex outpatient management.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Orthopaedic Surgery Residency (board-eligible or board-certified)
Fellowship in subspecialty (e.g., Joint Replacement, Trauma, Sports Medicine, Spine, Hand)
Academic clinical fellow or advanced practice provider transitioning to physician role

Advancement To:

Chief of Orthopaedics / Division Director
Senior Attending Surgeon (Subspecialty Lead: Arthroplasty, Trauma, Spine)
Academic Professor or Fellowship Director
Medical Director, Surgical Services or Orthopedics Program Director

Lateral Moves:

Sports Medicine or Shoulder & Elbow Practice
Spine Surgery or Hand Surgery subspecialty
Hospital-employed vs. private practice models
Clinical research lead or industry/implant advisory roles

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct thorough outpatient and inpatient musculoskeletal evaluations, obtain concise medical histories, perform complete physical exams, and synthesize clinical findings to develop evidence-based diagnostic and treatment plans for adult and pediatric patients.
Order, interpret, and correlate diagnostic imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI, bone scan, ultrasound) and advanced studies to confirm diagnoses and guide surgical planning, including templating for arthroplasty and preoperative deformity correction.
Perform a full range of operative procedures, including primary and revision total hip and knee arthroplasty, shoulder arthroplasty, arthroscopic procedures, open and percutaneous fracture fixation, ORIF, CRPP, intramedullary nailing, and complex reconstructive surgeries with meticulous technique and adherence to sterile protocols.
Manage perioperative care: preoperative assessment and optimization, anesthesia coordination, intraoperative decision-making, post-operative pain control (including multimodal analgesia and regional blocks in collaboration with anesthesia), and early mobilization protocols to minimize complications and length of stay.
Provide trauma coverage and timely assessment and surgical intervention for acute orthopedic injuries in the emergency department and trauma units, including participation in orthopedics on-call schedules and rapid stabilization of polytrauma patients.
Lead inpatient rounds on orthopedic wards, manage postoperative complications, coordinate discharge planning, and ensure seamless handoffs with hospitalists, nursing, physical therapy, and case management to optimize patient flow and outcomes.
Supervise, mentor and teach medical students, residents, fellows, PAs and NPs in clinic and the OR, provide structured feedback, evaluate clinical competence, and participate in curriculum development and program evaluations.
Develop individualized rehabilitation and return-to-function plans in collaboration with physical and occupational therapists, sports medicine specialists, pain management, and primary care providers to achieve optimal functional recovery.
Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in the electronic medical record (Epic, Cerner, etc.), complete operative reports, clinic notes, and discharge summaries while ensuring compliance with medical-legal standards and institutional policies.
Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences, tumor boards (when applicable), morbidity & mortality (M&M) reviews, and quality improvement committees to analyze outcomes, reduce complications, and implement best practices and clinical pathways.
Manage implant selection, procurement, and inventory oversight by collaborating with supply chain, OR leadership, and vendor representatives to balance clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and device availability for arthroplasty and trauma cases.
Ensure compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and payer requirements, including documentation for CPT coding, ICD-10 coding, surgical consent, preauthorization workflows, and reporting metrics such as infection rates and readmissions.
Perform clinic procedures such as joint injections, aspirations, closed reductions, casting/splinting, tendon repair and simple soft-tissue procedures, emphasizing conservative management and shared decision-making where appropriate.
Lead or contribute to clinical research, outcomes measurement, and registry participation (e.g., joint registries), design quality metrics, analyze clinical data to support publications, presentations, and evidence-based practice updates.
Coordinate patient education, informed consent discussions, risk/benefit counseling, and expectation management for surgical and non-surgical interventions, ensuring culturally competent communication and shared decision-making.
Oversee and delegate tasks to advanced practice providers and support staff, establish clinic protocols and triage guidelines, and ensure high-quality outpatient throughput while maintaining patient safety and satisfaction.
Participate in hospital and department administrative duties including scheduling, budgeting input for equipment and staffing, strategic planning, and participating in hiring and performance review processes for clinical staff.
Develop and implement clinical pathways and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols tailored to orthopedic procedures to improve perioperative outcomes and reduce variation in care.
Engage in community outreach, patient education seminars, and referral network development to build the practice, strengthen relationships with primary care and sports medicine providers, and promote musculoskeletal health in the population.
Respond to inpatient consults for complex orthopedic problems, triage and prioritize surgical interventions, and collaborate with other specialties (vascular, plastic, neurosurgery, oncology) on combined or staged approaches when indicated.
Maintain personal continuing medical education, board certification requirements, ACLS/BLS certification, hospital privileging renewals, and competency assessments for new technologies and implants.

Secondary Functions

Support and lead site-specific clinical trials, investigator-initiated studies, and collaborative research with industry partners to advance implant technology and surgical techniques.
Coach and mentor junior faculty on clinical productivity, documentation best practices, and career development, including support for academic promotion and certification processes.
Participate in cost-containment and value-based care initiatives, generating proposals to optimize implant utilization, OR efficiency, and readmission reduction strategies.
Serve on hospital and health-system committees focused on patient safety, surgical services optimization, ethics review, and clinical governance.
Evaluate and pilot new diagnostic or surgical technologies and devices, coordinate surgeon training programs with vendors, and provide evidence-based recommendations for adoption.
Provide backup telemedicine and virtual follow-up visits to expand access to care, improve follow-up compliance, and support post-operative monitoring when appropriate.
Contribute to marketing, patient outreach, and community health events to raise awareness of orthopedic services and facilitate patient referrals.
Review and update clinical protocols and standard operating procedures to reflect current guidelines, evidence-based practice, and internal audit findings.
Assist with peer review, credentialing, and performance improvement processes within the department and across the health system.
Provide expert medicolegal consults, prepare medico-legal documentation, and serve as a clinical expert witness when required.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency in primary and revision total joint arthroplasty (hip, knee, shoulder) including pre-op planning, component selection, and complex revision strategies.
Advanced arthroscopy skills for knee, shoulder, and hip procedures and familiarity with minimally invasive and tissue-preserving techniques.
Expert trauma and fracture fixation skills: plates and screws, intramedullary nails, external fixation, periarticular fixation, and management of open fractures.
Competence in perioperative patient optimization including multimodal analgesia strategies, DVT prophylaxis, and infection prevention protocols.
Strong diagnostic acumen with the ability to interpret X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds for orthopedic pathology and surgical planning.
Experience with electronic medical records (Epic, Cerner) and clinical documentation workflows, including operative notes, secure messaging, and e-prescribing.
Knowledge of CPT/ICD-10 coding and documentation requirements for accurate billing and reimbursement, pre-authorizations and clinical documentation improvement (CDI).
Familiarity with implant systems, instrumentation, surgical navigation, robotics, and templating tools used in arthroplasty and trauma.
Ability to design and run clinical audits, participate in registries, and analyze outcome metrics to drive quality improvement.
Competence in perioperative and inpatient management of complex patients, including coordination with anesthesia, ICU, and multidisciplinary services.
Proficiency in performing ultrasound-guided injections, aspirations, and bedside procedures when indicated.
Research literacy: ability to design studies, collect data, interpret statistics, and contribute to peer-reviewed publications and presentations.

Soft Skills

Exceptional patient communication skills, able to explain complex surgical options and risks in plain language and manage expectations.
Leadership and team-building aptitude to lead OR teams, guide residents and APPs, and collaborate across specialties.
Strong clinical judgment and decisive decision-making in high-stakes operative and emergent settings.
Empathy and bedside manner that support patient-centered care, shared decision-making, and attention to psychosocial factors.
Time management and organizational skills to balance clinic, OR, call coverage, administrative duties, and academic responsibilities.
Teaching and mentorship skills with a track record of supervising trainees and facilitating hands-on learning.
Adaptability to evolving clinical guidelines, new technologies, and changing practice models in hospital and outpatient environments.
Analytical problem-solving skills to troubleshoot intraoperative challenges, implant selection, and postoperative complications.
Attention to detail and commitment to high-quality documentation and regulatory compliance.
Collaboration and negotiation skills to align stakeholders (supply chain, vendors, administration) around clinical and cost priorities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

MD or DO degree from an accredited medical school.
Completion of an accredited Orthopaedic Surgery Residency program.
Active state medical license and eligibility for hospital privileges.

Preferred Education:

Fellowship training in subspecialty area (Adult Reconstruction/Joint Replacement, Trauma, Sports Medicine, Spine, Hand) from an accredited program.
Board certification from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) or equivalent.
Advanced coursework or certification in surgical leadership, quality improvement, or research methodology is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Orthopaedic Surgery
General Surgery / Medicine (transitioned physicians with appropriate residency)
Sports Medicine, Trauma, Adult Reconstruction
Biomechanics or Biomedical Engineering (for research/innovation roles)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0–10+ years practicing orthopaedic surgery post-residency; many positions accept newly graduated attendings (0–2 years) or seek mid-career surgeons (3–7+ years) depending on practice needs.

Preferred:

2–5+ years of independent surgical practice with a demonstrated case mix in arthroplasty, trauma, or the designated subspecialty.
Proven experience with on-call trauma coverage, inpatient rounds, and outpatient clinic throughput.
Track record of teaching/mentoring residents or fellows and participation in quality improvement or research initiatives.
Demonstrated history of working with EMR systems (Epic/Cerner), knowledge of CPT/ICD requirements, and experience with implant/vendor relationships.