Physician - Orthopedic Surgery

The Orthopedic Surgeon will diagnose and treat all the common musculoskeletal conditions, to include surgical and non-surgical management of diseases and injuries to the musculoskeletal system. The incumbent provides care of the Veterans' medical needs by performing examination, surgical consultation, and developing treatment and follow-up plans. The Orthopedic surgeon will prescribe medications, order diagnostic studies such as lab tests, imaging, electrocardiograms (EKGs) and enters specialty consults as needed. The incumbent physician will provide ongoing patient and family education throughout the course of treatment. Each member of the Surgery Department functions as a cooperative and collegial team member with the entire medical center staff.

The incumbent must adhere to all service/facility workflow processes, procedures, protocols and policies regarding the completion of all required operation/procedure notes/reports, orders, progress notes, clinical reminders, all other required medical documentation, and performance measures in a timely fashion. Incumbent will ensure the most effective delivery of care, while meeting and exceeding compliance, Joint Commission and VA Central Office performance measure standards.

Clinical duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Treat diseases, disorders, and conditions of the musculoskeletal system both medically and surgically.
• Provides quality patient care to outpatients as assigned.
• Assesses Veterans by utilizing advanced clinical judgment and physical assessment skills.
• Identifies acute, non-acute or chronic health problems.
• Uses principles of risk management to identify system issues which impact on patient care.
• Orders and evaluates appropriate diagnostic tests.
• Informs patients in order to accomplish shared decision-making in medical treatment/regimes.
• Provides appropriate disposition of identified health care problems.
• Participates in Surgery Service multi-disciplinary activities.
• Keeps informed of development in the management and treatment of diseases and illness through continuing medical education, both formal and informal.
• Successfully integrates identified medical needs with other patient care programs at the medical center and in the community.
• Consistently demonstrates medical expertise in diagnosis in and treating multi-symptomatic patients.
• Adheres to local medical center policies or VHA Directives related to clinical alerts and service level agreements with other specialized services within the medical center.
• Our Veterans are typically between 18 and 75 years of age. This position requires the incumbent to possess or develop an understanding of the particular needs of these types of patients. Sensitivity to the special needs of all patients in respect to age, developmental requirements, and culturally related factors must be consistently achieved.
• The Orthopedic surgeon will directly supervise staff in clinical situations: Mid-level providers, RNs, LPNs and on occasion other trainees. No supervisory responsibilities such as disciplinary actions, written performance evaluations or time and leave approval are expected for this position.

Administrative duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Participates and attends medical center committees assigned by the Chief of Surgery Service or Chief of Staff.
• Assists in the development and implementation of care programs in Surgery Service.
• Participates in various facility programs designed to enhance and improve the delivery of patient care services such as Process Action Teams or other Patient Safety or Quality Improvement Assignments.
• Participates in Surgery Service Peer Reviews when requested.