Clinical Component

Navigating the Clinical Component

This role centers on hand and upper extremity surgery within a busy, subspecialized orthopedic group. The day-to-day balances clinic, elective OR blocks at a dedicated orthopedic hospital, and general orthopedic call. Case selection is driven by outcomes and your own interest rather than by rigid territorial lines.

Patient Population

The practice draws from a large catchment area well beyond Lafayette itself, pulling patients from across South Louisiana and neighboring regions. Patients routinely travel one to two hours to be seen, and much of the surrounding area has limited hand specialty coverage. That combination supports a full and varied surgical practice from early on.

Case Mix and Services

You can shape your practice anywhere from pure hand to broader upper extremity, or fold in general orthopedic cases. The group supports your interest.

• Hand and upper extremity surgery across simple to complex cases
• Elective procedures performed primarily at the dedicated orthopedic hospital
• Inpatient and trauma-related hand cases handled at the Level II trauma center when needed
• In-office procedures such as carpal tunnel and trigger finger releases, supported by existing procedure rooms
• Strong internal referral flow from trauma and partner surgeons

Practice Snapshot

Setting: Hospital employed

Clinic: About 2 to 2.5 days per week

OR: 2 days per week

Imaging: X-ray, CT, and MRI on site in clinic

Robotics: Three robots in use by the group

Teaching: Optional day per month with LSU residents

Operating Room Environment

Most elective cases run through the orthopedic-only hospital, which functions like a surgery center for efficiency while remaining hospital-based. The setup keeps hand cases out of the general OR queue.

• Six ORs with capacity to expand to eight
• Microscope available for hand cases
• Three surgical robots used across the group
• Tri-vendor implant system for hips, knees, and shoulders; trauma and hand cases are not restricted to the tri-vendor list and can use preferred implants

Clinical Support

Surgeons are supported by a lead nurse or medical assistant plus additional MA coverage to keep clinic flow moving. APP support is standard across the group.

• Dedicated lead MA or nurse per surgeon, with additional MAs supporting clinic
• APPs used as OR first assists across the group
• APP support typically added within the first year as volume builds; the prior hand surgeon had APP support within about six months
• Hand therapy available through the physical therapy service

Call

Call is general orthopedic and shared equally among all partners. There is no separate hand call team. You cover emergencies that come in and hand off cases you prefer not to manage to the trauma team the next morning. Call is compensated, which is uncommon for an employed position.

Teaching

Teaching is available but not required. The prior hand surgeon spent about one day per month working with LSU residents at the university teaching hospital, with cases lined up for those visits.