Orthopedic/Podiatry Technician, Heywood Medical Group, Orthopedics, 36 Hours, Days

Overview

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Sr. Practice Administrator, Practice Manager, Providers the Orthopedic Technician will perform a variety of functions in support and care of patients requiring orthopedic care in an outpatient or inpatient medical setting.  Orthopedic tech performs both administrative and patient care support for orthopedic patients.  In the patient support area, the orthopedic tech, assists with duties such as applying and removing casts, splints and braces, instructing patients with the use of crutches and tractions, under the direction and supervision of Practice Manager and Providers and in accordance with policies, procedures, protocols, and standards of practice.  In the administrative area the orthopedic tech gathers patient information for registration, schedules appointments, verifies demographic information and assists in the facilitation of patient access to services.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Assists providers with all appropriate orthopedic related procedures, using appropriate techniques, and in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, practice in such a manner that facilitates the efficient delivery of safe high quality patient care.
• Applies and removes splints and casts, and provides cast care such as valuing, spreading, remodeling, trimming, and pealing with a providers order to ensure quality patient care.
• Measures patient for, supplies them with, and teaches them about assistive devices such as crutches, canes, slings, and collars in order to facilitate delivery of safe and high quality care
• Instructs patients in basic skin care of casts and other devices, simple appropriate exercise routines and ambulation in order to ensure patient safety and comfort.  Documents this on the clinical record, as applicable
• Arranges and assembles adjusts and removes traction equipment for inpatients with a providers order and checks traction assemblies on a daily basis for stability and proper body alignment in order to help ensure patient safety and comfort.
• Participates in the development of and adheres to appropriate policies, procedures and practice guideline
• Removes sutures, changes dressing for patients, assists orthopedic surgeon in operating room by applying cast to affected body part or maintains holding corrected bone alignment.
• Orders and maintains an adequate inventory of orthopedic supplies in clinic areas and as applicable for other assigned inpatient areas in order to help ensure the timely and safe delivery of patient care
• Places daily/weekly orders that establishes and maintains par levels for equipment and supplies, as applicable.  Completes purchase orders as applicable for equipment and supplies ordered from outside vendors as needed to maintain adequate levels of stock.
• Cleans and organizes storage areas, stock traction supply room.
• Allocates, and ensures the proper maintenance and storage of orthopedic equipment and supplies and evaluates their quality in order to help ensure quality and safe patient care.  Removes malfunctioning equipment including traction from service, labels, and reports it to supervisor for repair and ensures that the repair is completed satisfactorily so that there are no preventable incidents of patient injury related to equipment malfunctioning.
• Maintains accurate and complete clinical records in order to help ensure quality care.
• Completes charge form for applied cast or orthotic given to patient as indicated.
• Places patients in exam rooms
• Verifies and updates demographic and provider information on patients
• Uses computer system to schedule patient appointments, arrive, no-show, cancel, and reschedule patients on a daily basis.
• Maintains clinic files and patient records; screen patient’s chart prior to appointment, checks for lab work, x-ray, and other pertinent results, and verifies information as required
• Respects diverse views and approaches, and contributes in maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors

Statement of Other Duties

This document describes the major duties and responsibilities for this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. It should be understood, therefore, that employees may be asked to perform job-related duties beyond those explicitly described.

Organizational Expectations

Behavioral Attributes

The following behavioral attributes are required: achievement motivation, concern for order, initiative, self-confidence, self-control, customer service orientation, interpersonal skills, effectiveness, teamwork, impact and influence, analytical thinking and information seeking.

Functional Demands

Physical Requirements

Exerts 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Frequently reaches (extending hands and arms in any direction), and handles (seizing, holding, grasping, turning or working with hands). Frequently stoops (bending the body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist). Tastes/smells (distinguishing, with a degree of accuracy, differences or similarities in intensity or quality of flavors and/or odors, recognizing particular flavors and/or odors, using tongue and/or nose)

Qualifications

Job Requirements

Minimum Education

• High School diploma or equivalent required
• Minimum of three years experience in an Orthopedic office preferred
• CPR Certification.
• Cosmetology certification preferred

Minimum Work Experience

• Experience with casting and splinting preferred.

Required Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills as well as interpersonal skills with patients, staff and other healthcare professionals. 
• Must demonstrate consistent professional conduct and meticulous attention to detail and the ability to prioritize tasks in a busy environment.
• Understanding of medical terminology
• Critical thinking skills, strong interpersonal skills, tact, positive attitude and professional appearance essential.
• Proficiency with computers and electronic medical records systems is required.
• Must be able to work flexible shifts, some evenings & weekends may be required. Reliable transportation in order to travel between locations is also required.