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How do I become an orthopaedic surgeon?

Barthélemy

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To become an orthopedistin France , you need to follow a long and demanding medical curriculum. This course trains students to master surgical techniques and acquire the human skills essential to the practice of the profession. This is what we describe in detail in our orthopedist job description. Since it's not always easy to find your way around the various stages of this career path, here's a comprehensive guide to help you better understand the studies you need to follow.

What is an orthopedist?

An orthopedist is a doctor specializing in the diagnosis, treatment and surgery of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments). They work in hospitals, clinics and private practices. They treat a wide range of conditions, from acute trauma (fractures, dislocations) to chronic pathologies (osteoarthritis, scoliosis), with the utmost technical rigor.

How to become an orthopedist

General medical studies

Before entering higher education,aspiring orthopaedic surgeons must obtain a scientific baccalaureate. Once this has been completed, students wishing to pursue health studies can choose between two options:

  • The Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)
    • Introduced in 2020 to replace the former Première Année Commune aux Études de Santé (PACES), the PASS is a year of study combining a health major with a minor from another discipline. This structure makes it possible to diversify skills and offer avenues for reorientation.
    • Students are assessed on the basis of continuous assessment and final exams.
      • Those who pass can go on to study in the health sector.
      • Those who fail can reorient themselves towards their minor before, if they so wish, trying their luck again.
    • The PASS approach reduces the pressure of the former PACES exam, while diversifying students' skills.
  • The Licence with Health Access (L.AS)
    • Introduced in 2020 to diversify the range of training courses available in health studies, the L.AS is a course combining any major (law, humanities, economics, etc.) with a specific health minor (biology, physiology, etc.).
    • At the end of the first, second or third year, and if they have passed the minimum requirements, students can apply for health studies. They then sit specific exams. Depending on their performance, they may be rejected or admitted to the second year of medical school.
    • The L.AS allows students to follow a diversified pathway, encouraging skills development and reorientation.

After the PASS or the L.AS (see above), general medical studies are divided into two parts:

  • The Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM) : a three-year course (the PASS and L.AS count as the first) comprising theoretical courses in medical sciences and clinical placements in hospitals.
  • Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM): a direct continuation of the DFGSM, this is a three-year course of study incorporating specialist courses and advanced internships in various hospital departments.

Externship examinations

During the final year of the second cycle, students must pass a series of exams which, depending on their results and rankings, will enable them to choose their specialty as well as their city. Here's the list:

  • Épreuves dématérialisées nationales (EDN): these take place in October and account for 60% of the final grade. To pass, students must obtain a mark of at least 14/20 in the theoretical knowledge required by all doctors, regardless of their specialty.
  • Objective and Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE): these are held in May and account for 30% of the final grade. They test students' ability to develop clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills. The minimum mark is 10/20.
  • Academic progress grade: this continuous assessment takes into account the student's commitment, curriculum, mobility and level of English, and accounts for 10% of the final grade.

Specialization in orthopaedics

On completion of general medical studies , students specializing in orthopaedics enter a five-year residency program. This course is divided into theoretical and practical training:

  • Training theoretical: interns follow theoretical courses covering the various aspects of orthopaedics. They attend seminars and conferences to keep abreast of the latest advances and research in the field.
  • Practicaltraining : orthopedic interns participate in the work of various health services.

In addition, orthopedic interns must write and defend a thesis in order to obtain their doctorate. On completion of this specialization, interns are awarded the Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées en Orthopédie (DES).

Further training

Once the DES has been obtained, thequalified orthopaedic surgeon can pursue further training through university or inter-university diplomas, or international training courses at reference centers. These courses enable them to perfect their skills in highly specialized fields, such as spinal surgery, hand surgery, complex prostheses and sports traumatology (to name but a few). This advanced training opens the way to better job opportunities for orthopaedic surgeons, both medically and financially, and fosters greater professional recognition, particularly in private clinics or specialized referral centers.

Jobs and careers

Career opportunities for orthopaedic surgeons are many and varied. These specialists can work in the public sector, as hospital or university practitioners, or in the private sector in clinics or group practices. Some choose to become department heads, while others are involved in research or medical training, in France or abroad. To find your way around, we advise you to consult an experienced medical recruiter . The profession, which is both technical and human, offers a rich, recognized career that is constantly evolving thanks to technological and scientific advances (see our article on artificial intelligence in healthcare: impacts and prospects). With a well-organized activity, orthopaedic surgeons can also aspire to a satisfying life balance, while continuing to train throughout their career.

To find out more: see our orthopaedic surgeon salary sheet.

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Orthopedic Surgeon (M/F) - Cricquebœuf 14

Liberal

180000 - 700000 per year

Villerville

Doctor, this new opportunity is worth your consideration: a private practice at a private healthcare facility located in Cricquebœuf, in the Calvados department. The Facility This is a private healthcare facility located on the Côte Fleurie in Calvados, known for its comprehensive range of medical and surgical services. The facility includes a 28-bed inpatient surgical unit, including 6 beds for continuous monitoring, as well as a 20-bed outpatient surgical unit. In addition, it features an operating suite equipped with 5 operating rooms and a 10-station post-operative monitoring room, complemented on-site by a medical laboratory, an imaging center (X-ray, CT, and MRI), and a dedicated outpatient consultation area. The wide range of surgical specialties represented and the presence of approximately 50 surgeons provide a particularly stimulating multidisciplinary environment. Compensation - Rent of €315 (excluding tax) per month, utilities included, for a 20 m² office Responsibilities - Performing orthopedic and trauma surgeries in the operating room - Managing degenerative and traumatic conditions of the musculoskeletal system - Conducting preoperative consultations and providing postoperative follow-up for patients - Collaborating with multidisciplinary medical and allied health teams Benefits - Support and assistance with settling in - Surgical assistance available in the operating room - Streamlined supply management through a supply department, either in-house or external, as preferred - Generous surgical time slots - Comprehensive technical facilities, including an operating room, a post-operative monitoring room, and on-site imaging - Multidisciplinary environment bringing together approximately 50 surgeons - On-site office space available, with the option to customize the size to your needs That little extra something Nestled between Deauville and Honfleur, Cricquebœuf is home to the famous 12th-century Saint-Martin Church, nicknamed the “Ivy Chapel” because it is entirely covered in greenery and reflected in its pond—one of the most iconic sights of the Côte Fleurie. The village has retained all the charm of the Pays d’Auge, with its half-timbered houses and its wild beach that reveals itself with the ebb and flow of the tides—ideal for a Sunday getaway in the great outdoors. Qualifications Orthopedic surgeon with a degree from France or the European Union, registered or eligible for registration with the French Medical Board. Contact us at 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected] Job Posting ID: 13185 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.

Orthopedic Surgeon (M/F) - Mulhouse 68

Liberal

4000 - 8000 per month

MULHOUSE

A healthcare facility in Mulhouse, in the Haut-Rhin department, is seeking a new orthopedic surgeon (M/F) for a private practice position. The Facility You will join a private healthcare center located in Mulhouse, which comprises several clinics and a fully equipped surgical suite. In addition, the facility offers a wide range of medical services, including imaging, anesthesia and intensive care, radiology, and rehabilitation. Furthermore, the medical and allied health teams work together to provide both outpatient surgical care and inpatient care. Compensation - A 15% fee based on services listed in the official fee schedule. Fees charged above the scheduled rate will not be included in this fee. Responsibilities - Develop and provide specialized outpatient services in foot and ankle surgery - Perform surgical procedures on an outpatient and inpatient basis - Perform lower extremity surgery, including prosthetics, arthroscopy, and tendon surgery - Collaborate with the facility’s medical, surgical, and paramedical teams - Coordinate patient care pathways in conjunction with imaging and anesthesia departments - Build a patient base and organize your private practice within the center Benefits - Fully equipped surgical suite - Opportunity to practice both on an outpatient and inpatient basis - Multidisciplinary environment and easy access to imaging services - Opportunity to develop your own private practice - Integration into a regional healthcare network That Extra Special Touch Mulhouse enjoys an ideal location near the Swiss and German borders, making it easy to take weekend trips across the border. The city is also known for its remarkable automobile collection and technical museums, offering a rich cultural life right on your doorstep. Qualifications Orthopedic surgeon licensed in France or the European Union, currently registered or eligible for registration with the French Medical Board. Contact us at: 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected] Job Posting Reference: 13237 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, will assist you free of charge until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.

Orthopedic Surgeon (M/F) - Melun 77

Liberal

400 000 - 700 000 per year

Melun

A clinic in Melun, in the Seine-et-Marne department, is seeking a new orthopedic surgeon (M/F) for a private practice position. The Facility You will join a private medical and surgical facility located in Melun, within a regional healthcare hub, in the immediate vicinity of Paris and easily accessible from the southern part of the Île-de-France region. The facility offers multidisciplinary care in medicine, surgery, and oncology and promotes collaboration between public and private sector partners to ensure coordinated patient care. In addition, the clinic features a modern technical facility integrated into the health hub and a high volume of outpatient care. Compensation - Clinical fee of 6% of surgical revenue - Rent of €2,500 per month (typically split between two practitioners) Responsibilities - Performing orthopedic and trauma surgeries, particularly on the lower extremities - Surgical procedures performed on an outpatient basis and during conventional hospital stays - Scheduled operating room time of one to four half-days per week, depending on caseload - Participation in operating room committee meetings and scheduling of surgical slots - On-site consultations with an office provided - Collaboration with multidisciplinary medical and allied health teams Benefits - Modern, state-of-the-art technical facilities - Surgical robot available - High volume of outpatient care and a large patient flow - Consultation office provided - Administrative support and billing services included in the fee - High patient satisfaction as assessed by health authorities - Easy access with on-site parking and public transportation Equipment - Surgical robot - Modern integrated technical facilities and medical imaging equipment - MSI system and computerized billing That Extra Special Touch Melun offers a pleasant living environment on the banks of the Seine and is located near the Fontainebleau Forest, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation just a few dozen minutes away. The town is also known for its specialty cheese, Brie de Melun, which is prized by connoisseurs. Qualifications Orthopedic Surgeon with a degree from France or the European Union, currently registered or eligible for registration with the French Medical Board. Contact us at: 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected]. Job Posting Reference: 12837 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides you with free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.

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