Career of the Week:Orthopedist (Orthopaedist)

Clinical Health

Your job:

0Take C. Notes as you listen to the presentation. 0 In our summary, create a 3-2-1 chart:

0 Three things you learned/found out0 Two things that you found interesting0 One question you have.

0Mrs. Sugahara to collect at the END OF THE PERIOD!

What is an orthopedist?

0Orthopedist: An orthopedic surgeon, a physician who corrects congenital or functional abnormalities of the bones with surgery, casting, and bracing. Orthopedists also treat injuries to the bones. Sometimes spelled orthopaedist.

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4669

What do they do?0 Take a patient’s medical history0 Update charts and patient information to show current

findings and treatments0 Order tests for nurses or other healthcare staff to perform0 Review test results to identify any abnormal findings0 Recommend and design a plan of treatment0 Address concerns or answer questions that patients have

about their health and well-being0 Help patients take care of their health by discussing topics

such as proper nutrition and hygiene0 In addition, surgeons operate on patients to treat injuries,

diseases, or deformities.

What do they do?

0The top 6 most common procedures0 Knee arthroscopy and meniscectomy0 Shoulder arthroscopy and decompression0 Carpal tunnel release0 Knee arthroscopy and chondroplasty0 Removal of support implant0 Knee arthroscopy and anterior cruciate ligament

reconstruction

Work Environment

0Orthopedic surgeons usually work in sterile environments and may stand for long periods

0Full time, long, irregular, overnight hours

0Travel between office and hospital to care for patients

How to become and Orthopedist

0Undergraduate degree – Bachelor’s Degree – about 4 years.0 Biology, chem, physics, math, English, humanities, social

sciences0Medical school – Medical Degree – about 4 years

0 Entrance is competitive0 Need: Transcripts, scores from Medical Collect

Admissions Test (MCAT), letters of recognition, interview, also – leadership qual., extracurricular act., applicants personality

How to Become an Orthopedist

0Medical School – about 4 years0 First two years – labs and classrooms

0Anatomy/phys., biochem, pharmacology, psych., ethics, law0Practical skills - Med. History, examine patients, diagnose

illness0 Last two years – Work with patients under supervision

of experienced physicians and rotate the different departments – internal, family, obstetrics, pediatrics, etc.

How to Become an Orthopedist

0Residency – 3-8 years depending on specialty0 In a hospital0 Mayo clinic – about 5 years0 http://

www.mayo.edu/msgme/residencies-fellowships/orthopedic-surgery/orthopedic-surgery-residency-minnesota/curriculum

0Licensure0 Graduate from accredited school, residency training in

specialty and pass written/practical exams. 0 United States Medical Licensure (USMLE)

How to Become an Orthopedist

0 Pass examinations given by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons to be accredited in specialty.

0Orthopedic surgeons continue their educations throughout their careers to stay relevant.

0 http://work.chron.com/orthopedic-surgeons-specialize-in-25251.html

Further training

0 Hand surgery0 Shoulder and elbow surgery0 Total joint reconstruction (arthroplasty)0 Pediatric orthopedics0 Foot and ankle surgery0 Spine surgery0 Musculoskeletal oncology0 Surgical sports medicine0 Orthopedic trauma0 Orthopedic oncology

Important Qualities0 Important Qualities0 Communication skills. Physicians and surgeons need to be excellent

communicators. They must be able to communicate effectively with their patients and other healthcare support staff.

0 Compassion. Physicians and surgeons deal with patients who are sick or injured and may be in extreme pain or distress. Physicians and surgeons must be able to treat patients and their families with compassion and understanding.

0 Detail oriented. Physicians and surgeons must ensure that patients are receiving appropriate treatment and medications. They must also monitor and record various pieces of information related to patient care.

0 Dexterity. Physicians and surgeons must be good at working with their hands. They work with very precise and sometimes sharp tools, and mistakes can have serious consequences.

Important Qualities0 Leadership skills. Physicians who work in their own practice need to be effective

leaders. They must be able to manage a staff of other professionals to run their practice.

0 Organizational skills. Some physicians own their own practice. Strong organizational skills, including good recordkeeping, are critical in both medical and business settings.

0 Patience. Physicians and surgeons may work for long periods with patients who need special attention. Children and adult patients who fear medical treatment may require more patience.

0 Physical stamina. Physicians and surgeons should be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as lifting or turning disabled patients. Surgeons may spend a great deal of time bending over patients during surgery.

0 Problem-solving skills. Physicians and surgeons need to evaluate patients’ symptoms and administer the appropriate treatments. They often need to do this quickly in order to save a patient’s life.

What can Orthopedists expect to earn?

0Amongst highest in medical profession0According to Houston Chronicle:

0 “A July 2011 special issue of "Modern Healthcare" magazine collected and compared 16 major physician salary surveys in an effort to find benchmarks for the profession. For orthopedic surgeons, the lowest reported average salary was $378,062 a year and the highest was $576,350 per year. Most fell between $450,000 and $550,000 per year.”

Job Outlook

0 Due to growing/aging population, outlook is good0 BLS predicts 24% increase in number of physicians –

looks good for surgeons to address aging baby boomers.

0 http://work.chron.com/salary-range-orthopedic-surgeons-8522.html

Related Careers0 Orthopedic nurses

0 work in dedicated orthopedic units or in general units that serve orthopedic patients

0 registered nurses or licensed practical nurses0 must be licensed and RNs may be certified. 0 BLS - RNs -$69,110 in 2011 and LPNs earned $42,040 a year.

0 Orthopedic Tech. 0 trained in a school approved by the National Association of Orthopedic

Technologists (cert. or AA) or on the job. 0 Assist orthopedic surgeon in the practice of medicine and orthopedic

nurses in the care of patients. Apply and remove casts, manage patients in traction and assist the surgeon in the operating room.

0 Licensing is not required for ortho techs and certification is optional. Salaries for ortho techs ranged from $34,104 to $50,896 a year in 2010, according to the Medical Careers Institute at Coordinated Health.Prosthetist

0 http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/list-orthopedic-jobs-6438.html

Your job:

0Take C. Notes as you listen to the presentation. 0 In our summary, create a 3-2-1 chart:

0 Three things you learned/found out0 Two things that you found interesting0 One question you have.

0Mrs. Sugahara to collect at the END OF THE PERIOD!