Orthopedic Technician - Spanish Speaking Preferred

Note: This recruitment schedule was amended on December 9, 2024 to extend the Final Filing Date. This recruitment has been changed to "Continuous."

San Mateo County Health is seeking experienced Orthopedic Technicians to fill two vacancies in the San Mateo Medical Center. Currently, we have one Regular, Full-Time vacancy and one Extra-Help, Part-Time vacancy.

The successful hire will work in the Specialty Clinics, specifically under Plastic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and Podiatry. Duties will include, under the general supervision of a Charge Nurse, applying and removing plaster or fiberglass casts and splints on patients with fractures, sprains, or torn muscles; ordering supplies including DME; maintaining cast working area; assisting the supervising physician or nurse as needed; and assist with simple surgical procedures in other clinics and with admission and screening of patients.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have one year of experience in a hospital, institution, nursing home or private practice setting as an orthopedic technician preferred.
• Knowledge of standard sterile techniques and principles/methods used in preparing, applying and removing casts.
• Orthopedic Technologist and CPR certifications are strongly preferred.
• The ability to interact and communicate effectively with staff and patients and work productively and independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience working in a fast-paced clinic with a diverse population and the ability to be flexible and adapt to changes.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred but not required.
  
  

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Apply and remove casts as instructed by the physician.
• Arrange X-rays.
• Keep cast cart stocked with supplies and equipment, order casting and other supplies.
• Operate specialized cast equipment including electric cast cutting saw, cast spreader.
• Apply and remove traction equipment and casts to avoid injury or deformity.
• Keep cast working area clean and orderly.
• Prepare patients and equipment for simple surgical procedures and assists physician who performs them.
• Instruct patients in care and possible dangers of casts.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Standard sterile techniques.
• Patient care and nursing.
• Anatomy and physiology, particularly muscle and bone structure.
• Principles, methods, materials and tools used in preparing, applying and removing plaster casts.
• Hospital routine and organization.
  
  

Skill/Ability to:

• Exert sufficient physical strength to hold casts during applying period.
• Learn to use tools such as cast spreaders and electric cast saws.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to handle, apply and remove plaster cast materials, and assist with surgical procedures.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Deal effectively with hospital staff and patients.
  
  

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

• One year of experience in a hospital, institution, nursing home or private practice which has included direct basic patient care.
  
  

Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or a screening committee may select those applicants whose education and/or experience appear to best meet the needs of the position. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT : Applications for this position will only be accepted online . If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the " Apply " button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org / to apply. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Final Filing Date: Monday, December 9, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. PST

Screening: Week of December 9, 2024

Civil Service Panel Interviews: Week of December 16, 2024

This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time. The final filing date will be posted 5 days in advance in the County of San Mateo Human Resources Department.

Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and selections may be made at any time within the process.

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