Senior Registrar

# Job Description – Senior Registrar, Orthopaedic Surgery

DEPARTMENT: ORTHOPAEDICS

## 1. Job Purpose

The Senior Registrar – Orthopaedic Surgery is responsible for providing comprehensive clinical care to patients with musculoskeletal disorders, orthopaedic injuries, fractures, joint diseases and other orthopaedic conditions. The role involves assessing, diagnosing and managing patients across outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, emergency services and operating theatres.

The post holder will work under the supervision of Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons and contribute to the delivery of safe, effective and evidence-based patient care. The role also involves assisting in surgical procedures, managing orthopaedic emergencies, providing pre-operative and post-operative care, supervising junior medical staff and coordinating with multidisciplinary healthcare teams.

## 2. Key Duties and Responsibilities

### A. Clinical Responsibilities

- Assess, diagnose and manage patients presenting with acute and chronic orthopaedic conditions.
- Obtain comprehensive medical histories and perform detailed musculoskeletal examinations.
- Evaluate patients with fractures, dislocations, joint disorders, spinal conditions, sports injuries and musculoskeletal deformities.
- Request and interpret relevant investigations, including X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and laboratory reports.
- Develop appropriate treatment plans in consultation with Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons.
- Monitor patients' clinical progress and modify treatment plans as required.
- Identify complications and ensure timely clinical intervention.
- Provide appropriate referrals to other specialties when necessary.

### B. Surgical Responsibilities

- Assist Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons in major and minor orthopaedic procedures.
- Participate in elective and emergency orthopaedic surgeries.
- Perform clinical and surgical procedures within approved competencies and clinical privileges.
- Assist with fracture fixation, reduction, immobilisation and other orthopaedic interventions.
- Participate in pre-operative assessments and surgical planning.
- Provide appropriate post-operative monitoring and care.
- Identify and escalate surgical complications, including infections, bleeding and neurovascular compromise.

### C. Emergency and Trauma Management

- Assess and manage patients presenting with orthopaedic emergencies.
- Participate in the management of fractures, dislocations, soft tissue injuries and polytrauma cases.
- Initiate appropriate emergency stabilisation and pain management.
- Assess neurovascular status and identify limb-threatening injuries.
- Coordinate emergency investigations and specialist consultations.
- Participate in emergency trauma calls and urgent surgical interventions.
- Escalate complex and critical cases to the Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon.

### D. Inpatient and Outpatient Management

- Conduct daily ward rounds and review admitted orthopaedic patients.
- Provide clinical assessment and ongoing management of inpatients.
- Conduct outpatient consultations and follow-up assessments.
- Monitor post-operative recovery, wound healing and rehabilitation progress.
- Review laboratory and radiological investigations.
- Coordinate patient discharge planning and follow-up arrangements.
- Prepare accurate clinical notes, discharge summaries and referral reports.

### E. Pre-operative and Post-operative Care

- Assess patients scheduled for elective and emergency orthopaedic procedures.
- Review medical history, investigations and clinical findings.
- Coordinate with anaesthesia and other specialties for pre-operative optimisation.
- Ensure appropriate surgical preparation and documentation.
- Monitor patients following surgical procedures.
- Assess wound condition, pain control, mobility and neurovascular status.
- Coordinate physiotherapy and rehabilitation services.
- Educate patients regarding post-operative precautions and recovery.

### F. Supervision and Training

- Supervise and guide junior registrars, residents, interns and medical officers as assigned.
- Provide clinical guidance on patient assessment and management.
- Review clinical cases and support appropriate decision-making.
- Ensure effective clinical handovers between shifts.
- Participate in departmental teaching, training and academic activities.
- Promote teamwork, professional conduct and continuous learning.

### G. Multidisciplinary Coordination

- Coordinate with Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons, anaesthesiologists, radiologists, emergency physicians and intensivists.
- Work closely with nursing, physiotherapy and rehabilitation teams.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and clinical discussions.
- Ensure effective communication regarding patient management and treatment plans.
- Facilitate continuity of care across departments.

### H. Documentation and Administrative Responsibilities

- Maintain accurate and timely patient medical records.
- Document clinical assessments, diagnoses, treatment plans and progress notes.
- Prepare operative notes, discharge summaries and referral letters.
- Update electronic medical records and hospital information systems.
- Ensure appropriate documentation of clinical procedures and interventions.
- Participate in departmental meetings and administrative activities.

### I. Quality Assurance and Patient Safety

- Comply with hospital policies, clinical protocols and standard operating procedures.
- Follow infection prevention and control guidelines.
- Ensure compliance with surgical safety checklists and patient identification procedures.
- Participate in clinical audits and morbidity and mortality meetings.
- Identify and report clinical incidents and adverse events.
- Promote evidence-based practice and continuous quality improvement.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and professional ethics.

## 3. Educational Qualifications

- MBBS or equivalent recognised medical qualification.
- MS Orthopaedics / DNB Orthopaedics or equivalent recognised postgraduate qualification.
- Valid medical registration with the relevant regulatory authority.
- Additional fellowship or specialised orthopaedic training will be an advantage.

## 4. Experience Requirements

- Relevant post-qualification experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
- Experience in managing orthopaedic trauma and emergency cases.
- Experience assisting in elective and emergency surgical procedures.
- Experience in inpatient, outpatient and perioperative patient management.
- Experience working within a multidisciplinary hospital environment.

## 5. Knowledge and Skills

- Strong knowledge of orthopaedic conditions, trauma and fracture management.
- Good clinical assessment and diagnostic skills.
- Ability to interpret orthopaedic radiological investigations.
- Knowledge of surgical procedures and post-operative management.
- Ability to recognise and manage orthopaedic emergencies.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Leadership, coordination and supervisory abilities.
- Good clinical documentation and decision-making skills.
- Commitment to patient safety and professional development.

## 6. Reporting Structure

- Reports to: Head of Department / Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon.
- Clinical supervision by: Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon.
- Supervises: Junior Registrars, Residents, Interns and Medical Officers, as assigned.
- Coordinates with: Emergency, Anaesthesia, Radiology, ICU, Nursing and Physiotherapy Departments.

## 7. Key Performance Expectations

- Provide timely and effective clinical assessment and management.
- Ensure appropriate management of emergency and trauma cases.
- Maintain high standards of pre-operative and post-operative care.
- Ensure accurate and timely clinical documentation.
- Maintain compliance with hospital policies and patient safety standards.
- Demonstrate effective teamwork and multidisciplinary coordination.
- Provide appropriate supervision and guidance to junior medical staff.
- Participate in clinical audits, training and quality improvement activities.

## 8. General Responsibilities

- Maintain professional conduct and ethical standards at all times.
- Perform duties within approved clinical privileges and professional competencies.
- Participate in rotational duties, emergency calls, night shifts and weekend duties as required.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and respect patient rights.
- Undertake additional clinical responsibilities assigned by the Head of Department or Medical Director, consistent with the role and level of competence.

Overall accountability: To support the Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons in delivering high-quality orthopaedic services through effective clinical management, surgical assistance, emergency care, multidisciplinary coordination and supervision of junior medical personnel.