Clinical Component

Navigating the Clinical Component

Clinical Practice Balance

Your clinical practice will balance both bread-and-butter spine cases and opportunities for more advanced procedures, depending on your interest and training. While the current orthopedic spine surgeon thrives on complex trauma and high-acuity cases, there is a clear need for a surgeon who embraces the full continuum of spine care—from initial evaluation to surgical and non-surgical management.

In this role, you will manage a broad patient population:

  • Common degenerative conditions like spinal stenosis and herniated discs
  • Cases of cervical radiculopathy, sciatica, and lumbar disease
  • Select revision procedures that colleagues are reluctant to accept
  • Elective surgeries that complement, rather than compete with, high-complexity trauma cases

Call Expectations

You will not be asked to shoulder overwhelming trauma call responsibilities. At the Sierra Campus, neurosurgeons primarily manage acute traumatic spine injuries. Instead, your focus will be on elective spine care and overflow from surrounding facilities. Participating in general orthopedic call, however, is expected—both to establish yourself within the community and to build patient relationships. Hospital call is supported by stipends, providing additional income opportunities, while practice-level call connects you to unassigned patients who frequently transition into long-term referrals.

Support & Infrastructure

You will work in a system with 14 operating rooms, advanced imaging on campus, and dedicated rehabilitation services including PT/OT and inpatient rehab units. The practice has tried midlevel support in the past, but because spine patients require careful triage, physician-led continuity of care is highly valued. This environment ensures you maintain direct oversight while also benefiting from robust perioperative and rehab support.

Highlights of the Clinical Role

  • Care for a diverse patient population spanning El Paso, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico.
  • Emphasis on degenerative spine disease, elective procedures, and comprehensive A–Z spine management.
  • General orthopedic call participation with paid stipends and unassigned patient referrals.
  • Neurosurgery manages acute spine trauma, allowing you to focus on building an elective, high-quality practice.
  • Strong system infrastructure: 14 ORs, advanced imaging, and a one-to-one rehabilitation model that prioritizes patient outcomes.

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