Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner

Responsibilities:

• Consulting with patients and analyzing patient data to determine patient needs and treatment goals.
• Examining patients to diagnose bone, joint, ligament, or other musculoskeletal problems, including diseases, or injuries.
• Collaborating with other specialists, when necessary, to determine a course of treatment.
• Recording patient care by maintaining detailed notes of appointments with patients, including comments, tests, and/or treatments prescribed, and test results.
• Administering general and local anesthetics, when necessary.
• Performing surgical procedures on various parts of the musculoskeletal system, including plating broken bones, reattaching tendons and ligaments, or performing joint or hip replacements, among other procedures.
• Prescribing medication to improve recovery and control pain after surgical procedures.
• Referring patients to physical therapy, when necessary, or performing noninvasive procedures such as casting and splinting limbs.
• Monitoring ongoing progress and health of patients, and changing treatment plans, as necessary.
• Providing support and advice to patients receiving long-term care.
• Conducting research on defects, diseases, and disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system.