ORTHOPEDIC TECHNICIAN

Orthopedic Technician

Under the supervision of a nurse practitioner, licensed physician, or registered nurse, the orthopedic technician ensures the quality of treatment ordered by providers is performed to the standard of Orthopaedic Institute for Children. Responsibility includes but is not limited to assist with all routine and advanced orthopedic needs; prepare patient and applies, modifies and or removes cast; teach patient and parents how to use supportive devices and cast care; and perform the assigned duties with a focus on ensuring patient safety, comfort, and privacy.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Reviews physician or nurse practitioner orders to determine required procedure and prepares supplies accordingly.
• Identifies patient with two identifiers, name and date of birth.
• Confirms the proper site with patient and provider's orders.
• Prepares the patient by explaining procedure.
• Prepares and positions the patient for safe application of cast application or removal.
• Assesses the need for skin protection and age appropriate considerations.
• Assists providers with reductions, casting, suture removal, suturing, and dressing applications.
• Instructs family and patient on proper follow-up and cast care.
• Ensures orders typed in computer match providers' written orders. Consults provider if discrepancy or question.
• Reviews providers discharge instructions with the patient and family.
• Fits, teaches crutch training, walker training, and use of supportive devices.
• Makes sure all tasks are placed in the system prior to discharging patient.
• Has provider review cast before patient discharge.
• Cleans up work area after completion of procedure and prepares for next patient.
• Charts all actions taken within scope of practice and at the direction of the provider.
• Actively seeks to fill empty beds with waiting patients.
• Cleans and sets up plaster area and patient treatment areas.
• Reviews and assists with maintaining inventory of supplies. May be required to order supplies as needed.
• Communication with department manager and purchasing director in regards to all supplies and equipment required by department.
• Rotates supply stock so that oldest supplies are used first.
• Keeps supply areas neatly organized.
• Maintains a clean and safe patient care and work area.
• Triages patients when triage person unavailable.
• Reports broken equipment, safety and compliance issues to department manager.
• Is respectful, tactful, and courteous in interactions with patients, family, visitors, providers, and co-workers in performance of duties at OIC.
• Understanding that you may have to work longer due to patient demand.
• Performs tasks that are within the scope of position qualifications, knowledge, and permitted by the policies and procedures of the urgent care department, and other local, state, and federal guidelines; and the policies of the OIC.
• Floats between departments when needed.
• Performs other duties as deemed necessary by management.

Performance standards and success indicators include:

• Provider's orders are implemented with and applied to the correct patient and body part as evidenced by provider review, providers' orders, chart review, and patient or parents' concerns.
• Appropriate documentation and instruction is provided to patients and parents as evidenced by the condition of the patient on return visit.
• Positive provider, staff, patient, and visitor relations as evidenced by positive feedback and confidence level. No disciplinary actions taken for work related issues.
• Supplies required by the department and the safe work environment needed by the department are maintained.
• Requires adherence to all policies and procedures, including but not limited to standards for safety, attendance, punctuality, and personal appearance as evidenced by management collaboration.
• Cast removals, modified and or applied to the correct body parts in an appropriate and effective manner as evidenced by the Nurse Practitioner or Physician.
• Ability to apply, adjust and remove all common orthopedic devices, using a manual or standard practice as a guide.
• Appropriate documentation and instruction is provided to patients upon discharge as evidenced by patient condition or return visits.
• Positive physician and staff relations as evidenced by positive comments and confidence level of work.
• Providing efficient and courteous patient care for those who visit our institution and continue to follow these measures on a daily basis.

Qualifications include:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Completion of orthopedic technician training required.
• One to four (1-4) years of related experience required.
• Orthopedic technician certification preferred.
• Current BLS/CPR certification.
• Bilingual Spanish preferred.

Additional requirements include:

Ability to work variable shift schedules and rotate coverages as needed in urgent care clinic. Variable shift schedules including morning, evening, weekend and holidays.

Complexity includes:

Ability to take vital signs, maintain quality control standards. Must be able to multi-task efficiently and effectively and take the direction of multiple sources, while maintaining an effective working relationship with patients, medical staff and the public. Ability to perform highly detailed work with sustained attention and care while providing/obtaining information on numerous inquiries is paramount to success in this position.

Physical requirements include:

Ability to withstand long periods (66-100% of the time) of walking, standing, bending, sitting, holding limbs and or equipment for long periods of time. Spending extended periods of time verbally communicating with patients, families, healthcare team members, and visitors. Requires a high level of dexterity for safe handling of patients, equipment, and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.

Work environment includes:

Strenuous work environment with the ability to make decisions. The urgent care is a fast paced facility with long hours of operations that include weekends and holidays. Teamwork with other orthopedic technicians and staff is highly demanded.