Orthopedic Technician

ORTHOPEDIC TECHNICIAN / ORTHO TECH/ REHAB SERVICES / FULL TIME/ 40 hours / DAYS / BWH / BOSTON, MA

• Excellent Benefits: Tuition Reimbursement $5,250/yr., Generous Paid Time Off, 403B Match, MBTA Pass Subsidy, Pension/Cash Balance Account, Medical, Dental, Short-Term Disability, and much more.

• Nationally ranked academic medical center.

• We encourage people interested in careers as Physician Assistant, Physical Therapist, Orthotist, Prosthetist, or Orthopedic MD etc. to apply with undergraduate science degrees and/or with experience as an athletic trainer, or PT/OT assistant, etc.

Ortho Tech job summary:

• Apply, alter and/or remove casts, splints, orthotics, bed traction/ suspension and other orthopedic equipment for clinic patients.

• Instruct and educate patients and/or families in care and use of casts, splints or equipment.

• Work in various clinical areas including Inpatient Acute and Outpatient Ambulatory care at BWH, Faulkner and Dana Farber.

• Enjoy collaborative relationships with multi-disciplinary team of other Rehab disciplines, clinicians, providers, physicians in wide range of specialties.

• Opportunities for growth:

• Advance along our established merit-based clinical ladder program.

• Be recognized for your contributions and accomplishments.

• Learn through regular internal continuing education programming, financial support for continuing education courses and conferences.

• Participate in a multitude of hospital and departmental committees, community outreach, and in research.

• Be mentored by experienced clinicians.

• Comply with hospital and department procedures which include but are not limited to confidentiality, safety, infection control, documentation and charging.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Understands and accurately follows physician's orders and departmental procedures for the application, alteration and/or removal of plaster or synthetic casts, splints, prefabricated orthopedic equipment, bed traction and suspension equipment and other designated orthopedic equipment.

• Carefully inspects skin, observes patient for physical or emotional reaction(s) to procedure(s) and reports problem(s) appropriately and immediately to correct personnel.

• Instructs patient and/or family member(s) per departmental procedures in cast, splint or equipment care, precautions regarding use of prescribed device(s), cleaning and maintenance of prescribed equipment. As appropriate, ensures patient can don/doff equipment independently; informs physician if any problems and inquires whether the physician would recommend an occupational or physical therapy referral for further evaluation and treatment of the identified issue.

• Accurately documents objective information in medical record. Appropriately communicates verbally or in writing using correct medical terminology. Demonstrates tact, good judgment, and timeliness in communications.

• Records accurate and appropriate information for charging and inventory control.

• Maintains a safe, clean and orderly environment for patients, coworkers and self by cleaning equipment and work area, storing supplies appropriately, handling equipment using appropriate body mechanics, and reporting any issues that require further maintenance or inspection to supervisor. Compliant with hospital regulations and departmental procedures for infection control, electrical equipment safety, confidentiality, fire and disaster plans.

• Appropriately uses equipment and supplies for the efficient and cost- effective operation of the department and hospital. Responsible for identification badge, beeper, keys, computer access. Carefully inspects supplies and equipment when issuing; correctly notifies supervisor of any problems with supplies or equipment or patient complaints/ problems.

• Establishes effective working relationships with coworkers, departmental staff, orthopedic personnel including physicians, nurses, medical assistants and secretaries and other pertinent personnel.

• Attends and participates in departmental meetings. Records and submits information required such as orientation and competency data, education log, yearly mandatory information etc.

• Compliant with all hospital and department policies and procedures.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalency and work experience in a health care environment. The candidate must successfully complete a minimum of six months "on the job" training with education (lectures/labs) and close supervision by the lead/senior orthopedic technician(s).

• Successful completion of a formal orthopedic technician training program and current orthopedic technician certification from the National Association of Orthopedic Technologists is preferred or academic and clinical experience as an athletic trainer, occupational therapy assistant or physical therapy assistant background.

• Up to three months of orientation and competency certification is required to acquire necessary familiarity with hospital and departmental policies and procedures if the incumbent has the preferred education and training background.

Skills/Abilities:

• Work requires the ability to read, write, enter and retrieve computer data, comprehend and perform analytical and organizational tasks to plan and perform job duties. This is normally acquired through the completion of a high school education.

• Work requires a level of knowledge of medical terminology, human anatomy, and patient care procedures and techniques which are generally acquired through a formal orthopedic technologist training program, an allied health assistant training program or an accredited athletic training program.

• Work requires prolonged walking and standing (over 90% of the workday), manual dexterity (up to 90% of workday), frequent lifting and carrying of equipment (up to 50% if workday), positioning or transferring of patients or equipment (up to 60% if workday) and occasional transport of patients (at least 5% of workday).

• Must be able to perform and record accurately and efficiently a variety of technical patient care procedures with both handwriting and electronic record documentation. The necessary skills are acquired by successful completion of an "on the job" training program, or completion of a formal academic/training program and certification as an orthopedic technologist.

• Must have interpersonal skills sufficient to interact effectively with patients (up to 80% of workday), physicians (up to 15% of workday) and other hospital and clinic personnel (up to 90% of workday).

• Work with acutely ill (trauma or surgical) patients (up to 25% of workday) often produces a high level of stress and mental fatigue.