"Becoming a surgeon is a long journey. It takes a lot of studying, determination, patience, and sheer grit. The payoff was to have the opportunity to do something impactful and to be in a field that I love. The most gratifying part of my work is witnessing my patients recover, feel better, and remember what it is like to have a life not focused on poor health or pain.
When patients are referred to me for surgery, I explain the impact and what recovery may look like within the first few weeks. Once I meet with the surgical team for the day, I speak with each patient to reduce some of the anxiety associated with surgery. Operations can be intimidating, but with each client, my goal is not to get them post-surgery, but further along — post-health crisis. I want them to feel like they did long before the need for surgery was even identified. In some cases, it's a whole new and exhilarating lifestyle for people. The passion and drive to save lives is why I worked so hard to get here and why I show up each day."

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Job Description

SOC Code: 29-1242

Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric diagnose and perform surgery to treat and prevent rheumatic and other diseases in the musculoskeletal system.*.*

*Source: This information is based on O*NET™ data. O*NET is a trademark registered to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.

Top Job Skills:

• Leadership development
• Improve patient care
• Hand/spine surgery
• Cardiac catheterization
• Joint replacement

General Work Activities:

• Mental Processes
  • Diagnose bodily disorders and orthopedic conditions
  • Analyze patient's medical history
  • Conduct research
  • Order and interpret the results of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging procedures
• Interacting With Others
  • Direct and coordinate activities of other medical staff
  • Provide consultation and surgical assistance to other physicians and surgeons
  • Refer patients
• Information Input
  • Conduct research to develop and test surgical techniques
• Work Output
  • Diagnose or treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system
  • Sterilize equipment
  • Prepare case histories
  • Prescribe preoperative and postoperative treatments and procedures

Source: SC Works Online Services (SCWOS)

*All data is factual, but names, Images, and quotations have been adapted to protect the Identity of employees and businesses.

Job Statistics

 

Examples of Workforce Areas with Job Openings

 

• Pee Dee
• Waccamaw
• Trident
• Midlands
• Worklink
• Santee-Lynches

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area.

Examples of Employers with Job Openings

• Adaptive Medical Partners
• Britt Medical Search
• ESR Healthcare
• ScionHealth
• Source Medical, LLC.
• Adams Staffing

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area

Related Occupations

• Anesthesiologists
• Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
• Urologists
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• Pediatric Surgeons
• Dermatologists

NOTE: All data based on state averages. Information may vary depending on region, experience, and specific employment situation. Last Updated: 2025

Learn More with SCWOS

SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) is the state’s largest job database and provides all of South Carolina's job postings from all major sites, including Monster and Career Builder, in one resource. SCWOS has thousands of positions listed by employers all over the state. To access SCWOS, visit jobs.scworks.org.

Find in-depth breakdowns of occupational statistics such as necessary job certifications, job skills and abilities, current job openings, overview of general work activities, and more by visiting O*NET.org.