The Education Required For An MD Orthopedic Career

By Jeannie Chapman


A career within a particular medical field is always demanding, but rewarding. If you aspire to be a nurse or even a surgeon, perhaps you are considering taking up an MD orthopedic position. An expert in orthopedics will deal with patients who suffer from muscular and bone issues and deformities, and will tend to broken bones as well. A surgeon will be required to perform relevant surgical procedures.

Whether you choose to be a surgeon or a nurse, you should be prepared to face several years of intense education. You must be ready to study for long hours in order to pass the relevant exams, and be willing to take part in internship programs that will provide you with hands-on experience. You will not be allowed to enter the field of orthopedics if you do not have qualifications. Slightly different careers to follow include those of a technician and a sales rep.

Surgeons require the assistance of technicians to help prepare and maintain the equipment necessary for their patients. These may include braces, casts and splints. A technician is usually found working within a hospital, helping to adjust, apply and remove these appliances, but could work in different departments, and not only orthopedics. The plastic surgery and emergency departments also often require the expertise of technicians.

A technician must have a high school diploma or a GED before he or she can study further for this career. High school classes such as biology, maths, science, chemistry and physics are useful. Good grades are also required. The aspiring technician will then study physiology, anatomy, orthopedics and other courses, and will also undergo an internship program. Once the studies are complete, he or she will take the NBCOT exam.

Nurses are very valuable staff members in all sections of a hospital, including orthopedics. They will tend to the patients fitted with casts and splints etc. Only registered nurses who have worked for a minimum of 1000 hours may apply to work in the orthopedics section of a hospital. An RN must study and pass the NCLEX exam for registered nurses.

In order to become a surgeon you will really need to be dedicated to your profession. There are a great number of years required for study, and it will be quite costly as well. It is wise to perhaps spend some time with a surgeon to see what the work involves so that you are sure it is what you want. You must also choose a good school to attend, perhaps a school for osteopathic medicine.

A sales representative in orthopedics will require a bachelor's degree for most positions advertised. The degree will need to be in line with business, marketing and perhaps even biology. Although the rep is not a doctor or nurse, a reasonable knowledge of orthopedics is required. The rep will take various items of equipment developed by a manufacturer to hospital administrators, doctors and nurses, and discuss their relevancy. Experience in sales, in particular in the medical field, will be advantageous.

A good MD orthopedic nurse, technician or surgeon is dedicated to his or her job, and likes people. They will work hard, but will be well rewarded in terms of salary as well. You can get further information about training from your local colleges.




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