Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgery at African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) – Abuja

African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) Abuja is recruiting a Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgery. The position is based in Abuja, Nigeria, and is classified at GL 4A+.

The consultant will provide independent surgical and non-surgical care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. The role covers the full patient journey, from diagnosis and treatment planning through surgery, postoperative care, rehabilitation and long-term follow-up. It also carries clinical leadership, supervision, patient-safety, operational and research responsibilities.

Key responsibilities

Clinical care and patient management

• Lead inpatient ward rounds and outpatient clinics, taking responsibility for evidence-based management plans and outcomes for elective and trauma patients.
• Manage a comprehensive orthopaedic caseload, including fractures, joint disorders, spinal conditions and postoperative complications, within approved clinical privileges.
• Carry out and document patient assessments, including history taking, physical examination and interpretation of laboratory results and imaging such as X-rays, CT scans and MRI.
• Prescribe and adjust medicines, including analgesics, antibiotics and anticoagulants, in line with approved protocols and individual patient needs.
• Maintain timely and complete electronic medical records, including progress notes, procedure and operation notes, and discharge summaries.
• Lead the initial assessment and management of orthopaedic trauma patients in the Emergency Department in coordination with the trauma team.

Procedural expertise and patient safety

• Independently perform orthopaedic procedures such as closed fracture and dislocation reductions, casting and splinting, joint aspiration and injection, and wound debridement.
• Perform complex procedures within approved clinical privileges, including internal and external fracture fixation, joint arthroplasty and arthroscopic surgery, and participate in spinal procedures where appropriately credentialed.
• Follow infection-control and sterile-technique requirements and participate actively in Surgical Site Infection (SSI) prevention bundles.
• Recognise and manage intraoperative and postoperative complications promptly, obtain additional specialist support when clinically indicated, and document events thoroughly.
• Ensure pre-operative checks, including the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist, equipment readiness and postoperative monitoring, are completed in line with safety protocols.
• Maintain proficiency in using orthopaedic surgical instruments, power tools and traction equipment.

Collaboration and communication

• Act as the main contact for referring physicians, Emergency Department staff and ward teams on patient admissions, transfers and discharge planning.
• Keep patients’ families informed about clinical status, prognosis and care plans, and take part in family meetings on goals of care and surgical consent.
• Support continuity of care through structured shift handovers using standard communication tools such as SBAR.
• Work closely with nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and other allied health professionals to support patient outcomes and rehabilitation.
• Lead responses to clinical deterioration, initiate appropriate treatment and escalate cases to relevant specialists or the Clinical Director when required.
• Participate in daily huddles and multidisciplinary team meetings to coordinate care plans, discuss complex cases and address operational issues.

Quality assurance and clinical governance

• Contribute to the department’s quality-improvement programme and clinical audits, including the collection of data on infection rates, readmissions and patient outcomes.
• Help review and update clinical protocols covering peri-operative care, venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis and pain management.
• Report critical incidents, near misses and adverse events through the hospital’s incident-reporting system and participate in root-cause analysis when assigned.
• Promote compliance with patient-safety goals, including the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist, hand hygiene and medication reconciliation.
• Lead clinical audits and improvement initiatives, present findings to the department, and monitor implementation of agreed actions.
• Promote appropriate use of blood products, antibiotics and diagnostic imaging to reduce waste and avoid harm.

Teaching, training and mentorship

• Provide clinical and surgical supervision, bedside teaching, mentorship and assessment for senior residents, residents, medical officers, interns and medical students.
• Deliver teaching sessions such as case presentations, journal clubs, simulation training and fracture-fixation workshops for the multidisciplinary team.
• Assess and document trainee competence, give constructive feedback, and support remediation and progression in line with training requirements.
• Assist with the orientation and onboarding of new orthopaedic staff and rotating residents.
• Encourage questions, evidence-based discussion and reflective practice within the clinical team.
• Maintain continuing medical education (CME) credits and help organise departmental activities such as grand rounds and morbidity-and-mortality conferences.

Research and professional development

• Lead or collaborate on clinical research, including protocol development, ethics submissions, patient recruitment, data analysis, publication and dissemination of findings.
• Develop and lead research or quality-improvement initiatives for presentation or publication at national or international level.
• Keep up to date with developments in orthopaedics through relevant journals, webinars and conferences.
• Contribute to research protocols, case reports and review articles for publication.
• Present research findings and interesting cases at departmental meetings and national or international conferences as opportunities arise.

Qualifications and experience

• MBBS or an equivalent medical degree from a recognised institution.
• Fellowship in Orthopaedic Surgery from the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, the West African College of Surgeons, or an internationally recognised equivalent.
• Full registration with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and a valid practising licence, or eligibility to obtain the required Nigerian registration and licence.
• At least five years of post-fellowship experience in Orthopaedic Surgery, supported by a strong and current surgical portfolio.
• Demonstrated competence in trauma surgery, fracture fixation, arthroplasty and arthroscopy; subspecialty expertise is an advantage.
• Ability to interpret orthopaedic X-ray, CT and MRI imaging and apply the findings to clinical decisions.
• Ability to independently manage orthopaedic emergencies, including open fractures, septic joints, compartment syndrome and cauda equina syndrome.
• Clinical leadership skills, including the ability to supervise multidisciplinary teams, delegate appropriately, resolve conflict and promote a culture of safety and mutual respect.
• Ability to make complex, time-sensitive decisions, recognise clinical deterioration, escalate appropriately and lead discussions about treatment goals and consent.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex or distressing information to patients and families clearly, empathetically and with cultural sensitivity.
• Experience in teaching, mentorship, clinical audit, research and quality improvement, including the use of data to improve patient outcomes.
• Commitment to ethical practice, continuing professional development and evidence-based orthopaedic care.