Orthopedic Clinical Assistant

Orthopedic Clinical Assistant

The Orthopedic Clinical Assistant provides comprehensive clinical and administrative support to orthopedic physicians and surgeons, ensuring high-quality patient care and efficient practice operations. The Orthopedic Clinical Assistant serves as a vital link between patients and physicians, ensuring optimal patient experience and effective care coordination.

This is an onsite position and travel is required between Hackensack, North Bergen, and Clifton based on operational need. Prior Orthopedics experience is a plus.

A day in the life of a Orthopedic Clinical Assistant at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Support physician during clinical hours, as well as administrative duties: This encompasses a wide range of responsibilities aimed at maximizing the physician's efficiency and patient care, ultimately leading to improved patient care and satisfaction. During clinical hours, this could include:
• Clinical Functions: a. Assists physicians with in-office procedures, including preparing injections, instruments, equipment, and patients. b. Applies braces, casts, and splints as directed by the physician. c. Prepares for clinic days by reviewing charts, ensuring appointments are appropriately scheduled for the care team inclusive of the physician assistant and physician(s). Ensuring timely patient flow through the clinic and coordinating with other healthcare professionals. d. Assists with patient education regarding treatment plans, post-operative care, and medication management. e. Prepares therapeutic injections for administration by the physician. f. Monitors patient flow and coordinates with other healthcare professionals to ensure efficient clinic operations.
• Administrative Functions: a. Manages physician schedules and appointments. b. Completes physical and occupational therapy plan of care documentation as directed by the physician. c. Maintains accurate and up-to-date patient records in the EMR system. d. Processes prescriptions, obtains prior authorizations, and manages medication refills per physician orders. e. Triages patient phone calls and addresses clinical questions within scope of practice and under the direction of the physician. Escalates complex medical questions to the physician. f. Directs patients to the surgical scheduling department and answers general questions about the process. g. Creates and routes referrals for Visco Supplementation to the pre-certification team. h. Maintains inventory of clinical supplies and equipment. i. Prepares and processes pre-authorizations for advanced imaging. j. Manages patient correspondence, faxes documents, and maintains office organization. k. Answering patient clinical inquiries and handling other communication tasks.
• Directs patients to surgical scheduling department and answers questions regarding procedures
• Coverage of physicians clinical hours/phone calls when not assigned to a specific MD
• Cleaning/autoclaving instruments used in clinical hours
• Independently gathers and documents patient information to assist the physician in clinical assessment.
• Prepares drafts of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and bracing orders for physician review and approval.
• Appropriately and independently handling patient clinical complaints.
• Independently can prepare medications and injections and can instruct others how to draw up medications
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
• Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Bachelor's of Science in Athletic Training or Associate's Degree in Nursing
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills that include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

• Master`s of Science of Athletic Training or Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• 1-2 years prior experience with orthopedic care preferred
• Strong knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology
• Previous EMR experience preferred
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Certified Athletic Trainer or Licensed Practical Nurse or NJ State Professional Registered Nurse License.
• BLS AHA Basic Health Care Life Support HCP Certification.

If you feel that the above description speaks directly to your strengths and capabilities, then please apply today!

Compensation Minimum rate of $35.17 Hourly HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package. The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer. Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to:

• Labor Market Data: Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness.
• Experience: Years of relevant work experience.
• Education and Certifications: Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training.
• Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies.
• Geographic Location: Cost of living and market rates for the specific location.
• Internal Equity: Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization.
• Budget and Grant Funding: Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered.

Some jobs may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts. In addition to our compensation for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH (HMH) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, genetic information, refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available to an employer the results of a genetic test, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, national origin, nationality, ancestry, disability, marital status, liability for military service, or status as a protected veteran.