What does an orthopaedic surgeon do?
Orthopaedic surgeons are healthcare professionals who are responsible for treating pain related to the musculoskeletal system of the body. These licensed medical experts are required to examine, diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries related to the musculoskeletal system such as dislocated joints, back pain, and arthritis. They can recommend surgery or non-surgical treatment to their patients after assessing their health condition. Orthopaedic surgeons must also collaborate with other health care providers, such as physical therapists to help understand the patients' medical problems.
Orthopaedic surgeon responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real orthopaedic surgeon resumes:
- Manage insurance authorization and hospital bookings for surgery.
- Design multi - site study for presentation at AAOS.
- Design multi - site study to evaluate product use for presentation at AAOS and paper for JBJS.
- Obtain detail historical data from patients and perform focuse physical examinations.
- Board-Certify dermatologist performing Mohs surgery, advance reconstruction, blepharoplasty, liposuction, cosmetic & medical dermatology.
- Manage insurance authorization and hospital bookings for surgery.
Orthopaedic surgeon skills and personality traits
We calculated that 32% of Orthopaedic Surgeons are proficient in Patients, MRI, and Patient Care. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Compassion, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Orthopaedic Surgeons that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 32%
Develop and implement nursing care plans, and supervise patients' admissions and discharge procedures.
- MRI, 23%
Suture removal, assisting the doctor in reviewing x-rays and MRI reports.
- Patient Care, 23%
Direct patient care in an outpatient office setting.
- EMR, 15%
Input of patient information into Email and Medical Records (EMR systems).
- Exam Rooms, 4%
Sanitized tools and kept exam rooms stocked with tools and supplies.
- Vital Signs, 2%
Assisted in administering anesthesia and monitoring of vital signs under direction of the physician in operative room.
Most orthopaedic surgeons use their skills in "patients," "mri," and "patient care" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential orthopaedic surgeon responsibilities here:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an orthopaedic surgeon to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "physicians and surgeons need to be excellent communicators." Orthopaedic surgeons often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "strengthened knowledge of the importance of communication skills between physicians and patients"
Compassion. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling orthopaedic surgeon duties is compassion. The role rewards competence in this skill because "patients who are sick or injured may be in extreme pain or distress." According to an orthopaedic surgeon resume, here's how orthopaedic surgeons can utilize compassion in their job responsibilities: "calm and educate patients regarding procedures performed, using special care and techniques with compassion to young children. "
Detail oriented. orthopaedic surgeons are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to orthopaedic surgeon responsibilities, because "patients must receive appropriate treatment and medications." An orthopaedic surgeon resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "register new patients and update existing detailed patient information including personal and financial information. "
Dexterity. For certain orthopaedic surgeon responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "dexterity." The day-to-day duties of an orthopaedic surgeon rely on this skill, as "physicians and surgeons may work with very precise and sometimes sharp tools, and mistakes can have serious consequences." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what orthopaedic surgeons do: "gained invaluable knowledge of the medical industry and patient care; developed diagnostic and problem-solving skills through hands-on clinical experience. "
Leadership skills. Another common skill required for orthopaedic surgeon responsibilities is "leadership skills." This skill comes up in the duties of orthopaedic surgeons all the time, as "physicians who work in their own practice must manage a staff of other professionals." An excerpt from a real orthopaedic surgeon resume shows how this skill is central to what an orthopaedic surgeon does: "delivered advice to surgeon general and executive leadership on public health policies, project implementation, and milestone establishment. "
Physical stamina. While "physical stamina" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to orthopaedic surgeon responsibilities. Much of what an orthopaedic surgeon does relies on this skill, seeing as "physicians and surgeons should be comfortable lifting or turning disabled patients, or performing other physical tasks." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of orthopaedic surgeons: "worked with patients on physical rehabilitation, including exercise instruction. "
The three companies that hire the most orthopaedic surgeons are:
- HealthTrust15 orthopaedic surgeons jobs
- HCR ManorCare3 orthopaedic surgeons jobs
- University of Vermont2 orthopaedic surgeons jobs
Compare different orthopaedic surgeons
Orthopaedic surgeon vs. Eye physician
An avascular surgeon is a medical expert who specializes in treating conditions that affect blood vessels, primarily by performing surgeries. Before conducting surgical procedures, they must study the patients' medical histories, coordinate with staff and other experts, perform tests and examinations, determine surgical risks, and provide patients with consultations. It is also their duty to answer and address the patients' inquiries and concerns, explaining the extent and risks of procedures. Moreover, a vascular surgeon must build positive relationships with patients to help them and their families feel comfortable throughout the process.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, orthopaedic surgeon responsibilities require skills like "patients," "mri," "emr," and "arthroscopy." Meanwhile a typical eye physician has skills in areas such as "eye drops," "patient appointments," "patient charts," and "field testing." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that eye physicians earn slightly differ from orthopaedic surgeons. In particular, eye physicians are 3.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an orthopaedic surgeon. Additionally, they're 13.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Orthopaedic surgeon vs. Surgeon's assistant
Each career also uses different skills, according to real orthopaedic surgeon resumes. While orthopaedic surgeon responsibilities can utilize skills like "patient care," "arthroscopy," "dme," and "practice management," surgeon's assistants use skills like "ortho," "epic," "general surgery," and "direct patient care."
Surgeon's assistants may earn a higher salary than orthopaedic surgeons, but surgeon's assistants earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $199,491. On the other hand, orthopaedic surgeons receive higher pay in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $174,293.In general, surgeon's assistants achieve similar levels of education than orthopaedic surgeons. They're 0.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 13.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Orthopaedic surgeon vs. Foot and ankle surgeon
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from orthopaedic surgeon resumes include skills like "patients," "mri," "exam rooms," and "arthroscopy," whereas a foot and ankle surgeon is more likely to list skills in "private practice," "cme," "physical therapy," and "hospital surgery. "
Most foot and ankle surgeons achieve a similar degree level compared to orthopaedic surgeons. For example, they're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 8.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Orthopaedic surgeon vs. Vascular surgeon
Even though a few skill sets overlap between orthopaedic surgeons and vascular surgeons, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an orthopaedic surgeon might have more use for skills like "mri," "emr," "arthroscopy," and "dme." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of vascular surgeons require skills like "private practice," "office locations," "ablation," and "patient appointments. "
In general, vascular surgeons earn the most working in the health care industry, with an average salary of $204,719. The highest-paying industry for an orthopaedic surgeon is the health care industry.In general, vascular surgeons hold similar degree levels compared to orthopaedic surgeons. Vascular surgeons are 2.5% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of orthopaedic surgeon
Updated January 8, 2025
