Orthopedic Surgeon (0.75 FTE)

POSITION SUMMARY

Incumbent performs as Staff Orthopedic Surgeon in the Surgical Services Department, which service approximately 100,000 to 150,000 patients annually. Orthopedic services include operative and non-operative treatment of orthopedic inpatients and outpatients.

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• A Medical Degree (MD or DO) from accredited school
• Completion of a five (5) year residency program in Orthopedic Surgery

License/Certification:

• Must possess and maintain a current and unrestricted license to practice as a physician in any state within the United States, District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• Must be Board Eligible or Board Certified by the American Specialty Board in Surgery.

Credentialing:

Must be a credentialed member of the TCRHCC Medical Staff

Other Skills and Abilities:

A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers. All employment references must address and indicate success in each one of the following areas:

• Positive working relationships with others
• Possession of high ethical standards and no history of complaints
• Reliable and dependable; reports to work as scheduled without excessive absences
• Completion of and above-satisfactory scores on all job interviews, demonstrating to the satisfaction of the interviewees and TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Successful completion of and positive results from all background and reference checks, including positive employment references from authorized representatives of past and current employers demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC a record of satisfactory performance and that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Successful completion of fingerprint clearance requirements, physical examinations, and other screenings indicating that the applicant is qualified to be employed by TCRHCC and demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job
• Submission of all required employment-related documents, applications, resumes, references, and other required information free of false, misleading or incomplete information, as determined by TCRHCC.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EFFORT

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical:

Incumbent must be able to accept a flexible schedule to meet unit needs. Incumbent must be able to walk several hundred yards quickly, write well, hear well, and see well for complete diagnostic and surgical skills. Must be able to sit, stand, and walk for prolonged (greater than ¾ workday) periods of time. Must be able to frequently (greater than ½ the workday) bend, twist, maintain balance, and reach. Must occasionally be able to drive, climb, kneel, and crouch. Incumbent will need to be able to frequently lift, push, and pull up to 34 lbs. and occasionally over 100 lbs. Incumbent must be able to frequently have the ability for depth perception, seeing fine details, hearing normal speech, telephone use, and, hearing overhead pages through a loud speaker. Must occasionally have the ability for far, near and color vision. Incumbent must have the ability of hand manipulation in prolonged use of simple and firm grasping; fine manipulation; and, use of keyboards.

Mental:

Incumbent must be able to perform night call on a regular basis and handle the stresses of rural medicine. Must have the ability to handle prolonged periods to cope with high levels of stress; make decisions under high pressure; concentrate; work alone; and demonstrate a high level of patience. Incumbent must frequently have the ability to cope with anger/fear/hostility of others in a calm way; handle a high degree of flexibility; handle multiple priorities in stressful situation; and, work in areas that are close and crowded.

Environmental:

Incumbent may often be exposed to infectious disease; frequently be exposed to chemical agents; dust, fumes, gases; and hazardous or moving equipment. Incumbent may occasionally be exposed to extremes in temperature or humidity; unprotected heights; and loud noises.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Interviews and examines patients, reviews past medical history, and requests/or performs diagnostic tests and examinations deemed necessary to obtain all possible information related to each case. Makes preliminary diagnosis, directs, prescribes or provides treatment, or arranges for specialized care or patient referral as required. Bases decision upon information obtained, professional medical knowledge and skills and prescribed policies and procedures. Makes notes of observations to be incorporated into clinical records. Provides emergency care as required. Provides definitive management in all medical categories for cases that do not require referral. Gives total patient care including prevention, health maintenance, early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up services to patients under incumbent’s care.
2. Performs major orthopedic operations as well as advising the medical officers in other services concerning orthopedic or potential orthopedic cases. When performing these operations, is in complete charge of surgery, guiding and directing the assisting medical officers, nurse anesthetist, and nurses.
3. Conducts outpatient clinics making observations appropriate to the outpatients underlying disease and treatment plan, including current symptoms. Reviews the patient’s medications, diet, therapy course, adherence to management plan and patient observations. Modifies regimen as indicated. Instructs and counsels patients as required.
4. Refers patients to appropriate contracted medical or other government facilities providing full clinical information for care and diagnostic procedures that cannot be adequately provided at TCRHCC. Coordinates and integrates information obtained into the ongoing Health Care Program at the Service Unit and assures the provision of timely follow-up care as required.
5. Assures preparation of appropriate medical records for all patients seen to assure the accumulation and organization of all pertinent clinical data needed to provide comprehensive medical care. Dictates clinical reports and care to physicians, hospitals and other individuals and facilities.
6. Works closely with allied health professionals (Community Health Nurse, Social Workers, Health Education, etc.) in the provision of broad health program services.
7. Serves as a consultant to primary care physicians of the Indian Health Services. This is done by telephone after hours in addition to outpatient and inpatient services.
8. Serves as orthopedist on-call for the Orthopedic Service during non-duty hours as scheduled or when needed.
9. Serves as the orthopedic representative to hospital committees as assigned.
10. In absence of Chief of Orthopedics the staff orthopedic surgeon assumes responsibilities for ordering supplies and equipment, scheduling of surgical cases, and staff orthopedic outpatient.
11. Responsible for electronic health records data entry pertinent to patient service role.
12. Ensure proper PPE is always worn while on duty including but not limited to, face mask, gloves, gown, isolation gown, NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirator or higher, if available), and eye or face shield.
13. Complete all donning and doffing tasks in a safe acceptable method and discard of used PPE accordingly. (see CDC website for most current updates)
14. Complete task training for all routine cleaning and decontamination processes for all surfaces contaminated by a communicable disease to ensure a high level of patient, visitor, employee, and external customer satisfaction.

Navajo Preference in Employment

In accordance with Navajo Nation and federal law, TCRHCC has implemented an Affirmative Action Plan pursuant to the Navajo Preference in Employment Act. Pursuant to this Plan and corresponding TCRHCC Policy, applicants who meet the necessary qualifications for this position and (1) are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe will be given preference in hiring and employment for this position, (2) are legally married to enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, or San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe and meet residency requirements will be given secondary preference, and (3) are enrolled members of other federally-recognized American Indian Tribes will be given tertiary preference.