Navy Officer Subspecialty · Medical
15H1 Orthopedic Surgery, Subspecialty
An officer subspecialty earned alongside a primary designator, marking advanced education or experience in this field.
Overview
Orthopedic surgery subspecialists manage complex musculoskeletal disorders within focused fields such as spine, sports medicine, trauma, hand, or pediatric care. They perform specialized procedures and plan rehabilitation for their patients.
Core Skills
- subspecialty orthopedic diagnosis
- complex surgical procedures
- fracture and trauma care
- medical imaging interpretation
- operative planning
- surgical team leadership
- postoperative management
- rehabilitation coordination
- clinical research
Civilian Software & Tools
- Epic Systems
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Windows
- Computer imaging software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Human resources management system HRMS
- Image-guided surgery software
- Integra Radionics NeuroSight Arc
Civilian Career Paths
- Physician
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Emergency Medicine
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
Career Growth
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Board Certification
- Certified Physician Executive (CPE)
Also Common
- Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
What the Work Involves
- Diagnose or treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
- Order and interpret the results of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging procedures.
- Advise against injured athletes returning to games or competition if resuming activity could lead to further injury.
- Record athletes' medical care information, and maintain medical records.
- Record athletes' medical histories, and perform physical examinations.
Related Occupations
- Pediatric Surgeons
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
- Anesthesiologists
- General Internal Medicine Physicians
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: graduate-level education or extensive experience.
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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