Senior House Officer

Job Description – Orthopedic Ward Duty Doctor

Job Title: Duty Doctor – Orthopedics
Department: Orthopedics
Reports To: Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon / Medical Superintendent

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day medical care and monitoring of patients admitted to the orthopedic ward.

• Perform initial assessment of patients and document history, examination findings, and treatment plans.

• Monitor vital signs, clinical condition, pain, neurovascular status, and postoperative recovery.

• Review laboratory investigations, X-rays, CT/MRI reports, and other relevant investigations.

• Implement treatment orders prescribed by the orthopedic consultant.

• Manage common ward emergencies and promptly escalate deteriorating patients to the consultant/appropriate specialty.

• Monitor postoperative patients for complications such as bleeding, infection, neurovascular compromise, DVT/PE, and wound problems.

• Assist with preoperative and postoperative patient management.

• Coordinate with nursing staff, physiotherapy, radiology, laboratory, and other departments.

• Maintain accurate patient records, progress notes, medication charts, discharge summaries, and referral documentation.

• Obtain and document informed consent where appropriate, as per hospital policy.

• Attend emergency calls within the ward and provide initial stabilization.

• Participate in rounds with orthopedic consultants and communicate relevant clinical updates.

• Ensure adherence to infection-control, patient-safety, medication-safety, and hospital protocols.

• Counsel patients and attendants regarding treatment plans, postoperative care, mobility, medications, and warning signs.