ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON (JOINT REPLACEMENT)

Orthopedic SurgeonThe Orthopedic Surgeon is responsible for managing the full spectrum of surgical care responsibilities including admission from an outpatient site, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment, consultation for patients presenting with orthopedic complaints and diseases and the performance of invasive and surgical procedures. To manage the surgical care patients the following will be necessary: ordering appropriate lab work, ordering appropriate diagnostic tests, requesting consultations to specialty services, providing both office based and operating room based invasive procedures. All work activities, both administrative in nature and clinical, will be in conformance with VA, Joint Commission, and other standards as applicable that guide that provider's practice. The physician will work in a team setting with other physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and support staff assigned to perform duties to accomplish the treatment of veteran patients. Computer skills are essential as the Philadelphia VA Medical Center is fully computerized for note documentation, entering orders and requesting consults. Performs the following tasks during the clinic visit, operating room and post surgical inpatient care: Performs comprehensive and problem-focused histories and physical examinations Interprets laboratory and diagnostic tests Interprets and correlates subjective and objective data to formulate a differential diagnosis and establish a working diagnosis Formulates a treatment plan for orthopedic conditions Implements therapeutic intervention for specific conditions when appropriate Exercises judgment on conditions requiring consultation, referral or evaluation. Orders, collects and performs appropriate laboratory and diagnostic studies, such as routine laboratory tests, EMG, electrocardiogram and radiologic examinations including arthrogram, ultrasound, CT, MRI and bone scan studies Performs compartment pressure measurements, digital blocks and regional anesthesia Performs minor outpatient surgical procedures such as tendon repair, wound closure and management, incision and drainage, needle biopsy percutaneous pinning of fractures k-wire and hardware removal Performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as aspirations and injections of joints, bursars and cysts. Performs closed reductions of fractures and dislocations, deep and superficial wound closure, application of internal devices. Applies braces, casts, splints and other orthopedic appliances Conducts hospital rounds, writes orders, takes call and sees patients in the ED. Evaluates and clarifies clinical conditions Formulates and implements treatment and therapeutic plans for hospitalized patients. Maintains a close working relationship with the Primary Care Team and coordinates care with that team and other medical specialists such as rheumatology. Completes patient referrals in CPRS Manages patient's medication (including medicine reconciliation) Completes view alerts Follows-up on patient-related information (test and procedure results, consults and medications)