An Overview of the Chief Resident Position

Timothy Treible, MD, completed the Medical College of Wisconsin Orthopedic Residency program after graduating from the institution with his medical degree. During his orthopedic residency, Dr. Timothy Treible was named chief resident. He practiced at East Portland Orthopedic and Fracture Clinic, diagnosing and treating complex orthopedic issues.

The responsibilities of a chief resident at a hospital or medical facility can vary significantly depending on the nature of the resident’s post. The chief resident in a pediatric program, for example, will be tasked with several jobs relating directly to child and infant health care, whereas the chief resident of a chemical dependency program will not often interact with such young patients.

A chief resident at any facility, however, is charged with the overall well being of all patients under his or her supervision. The chief resident role is one of both medical and administrative leadership, extending from the oversight of day-to-day clinic operations to operating room decisions.

Making rounds is one of the most common parts of a chief resident’s job. During morning rounds, chief residents assist other residents and personnel teams in organizing their patient schedules and workloads for the day while evening rounds are often utilized as teaching opportunities.