Prosthetic Orthotic Assistant

Prosthetic Orthotic Assistant

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The Prosthetic & Orthotic Assistant is a health care professional specifically trained to support comprehensive prosthetic and orthotic patient care under the direct supervision of a certified prosthetist, orthotist, or pedorthist. This includes patient assessment, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, follow-up, and practice management. Documentation by the P&O Assistant is part of the patient's medical record and supports medical necessity for orthotic and/or prosthetic care.

Responsibilities:

• Clinical - Assessment of patients with impairment of human movement or musculoskeletal abnormalities that would impede their ability to participate in their social/work environment or other activities to determine a functional intervention.
• Designs, writes specifications for, and fits braces and appliances for body deformities and disorders following a physician's prescription and in consultation with medical staff, residents, therapists and Prosthetist / Orthotists.
• Examines affected area for factors affecting the fitting and placement of orthopedic appliances.
• Plans appliance to give patient maximum possible function.
• Determines materials from which appliance will be fabricated.
• Responsible for fitting all braces and/or devices as necessary to keep workflow and patient safety a priority.
• Responsible for troubleshooting any problems that affect the patient's care as it pertains to devices supplied by the pedorthist.
• Implements changes with DMEPOS standards and Medicare policies.
• Technical Operates and maintains equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
• Skillfully fabricates and modifies equipment to ensure that patients are able to use safely and minimize risks.
• Follows safety procedures. Integrates best practices in operations. Observes and recommends updated materials, processes and practices.
• Fabricates custom prosthetic and orthotic devices using established techniques and materials. Completes safety and quality checks to ensure patients receive safe and effective treatment.
• Inventory Management- Maintains inventory, including ordering new stock as warranted by usage, reporting abnormalities in inventory levels to the Practice Manager, moves stock to and from various locations as necessary, and facilitates new products that physicians(s) would like to have added to the service line.
• Responsible for all packing slips being sent to the Practice Manager so that the invoices can be paid promptly and correctly. Suggests alternative solutions to practice manager.
• Leading People- Provides an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
• Encourages workforce engagement by building a commitment to excellence and promoting its vision internally and externally. Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and holds others accountable for achieving results related to their responsibility area.
• Leads in a deliberate and predictable way and operates with transparency. Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately. Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing ongoing feedback and by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods. Manages and resolves conflicts and disagreements in a constructive manner.
• Documentation- Maintains all documentation regarding the patient's visit and devices fit. Assists patients with direction to resolve billing problems. Acts as a liaison for the billing department to obtain the necessary information for claim payment. Compliance with practice management plans to develop and document policies and procedures to ensure patient protection.
• Liaison- Acts as a liaison for the physicians, staff and vendors. Responsible for maintaining positive relationships with the physicians, staff, and other corporate staff. Responsible for communicating physician needs to the Practice Manager. Assists in maintaining communication with other services lines, including the Medical practice and the managers of those offices.
• Education- Educates MAs, OTs, DME coordinators, residents, and physicians on appropriate policies and procedures to follow for DMEPOS visits. Assists staff and physicians in problem-solving regarding the type of brace and fitting that best address the patient and their situation. Acts as a mentor for prosthetist/orthotist students.

Education Requirements: High School Diploma or GED required. Bachelors degree in a related health sciencve field (clinical sciences, biological sciences) preferred. Licensure/Certification Requirements: Certification in related health care discipline: (Certified Medical Assistant, Certified orthotic fitter, Certified Orthotic / Prosthetic technician, Athletic Trainer or equivalent) preferred. ABC or BOC certified as Certified Prosthetic Orthotic Assistant (CPOA) strongly preferred. Professional Experience Requirements: Six months experience in a health care setting required. Two (2) years of relevant experience working in a clinical environment preferred. Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements: Knowledge and understanding of materials selection for orthotics and prosthetics. Technical skills required to measure, fabricate, fit and customize orthotic and prosthetic devices. Good verbal and written communication skills