Prosthetist (Days) Community Home Care - Norton, VA

Summary:
The Prosthetist provides care to patients with disabling conditions of the limbs or to patients with partial or total absence of limb by fitting systems known as prostheses. At the direction of and in consultation with physicians, the Prosthetist assists in formulation prosthetic prescriptions and evaluates the needs of the patient in relation to his/her disease and functional loss. The Prosthetist is responsible for the designing, selection of materials, and measurements, layouts and model modifications and fittings.
The Prosthetist will assist with program development activities including education to healthcare professionals, protocol/procedure development, and outcomes management with the rehabilitation leadership team.
All duties and responsibilities are to be carried out with empathy and compassion towards patients and their families as well as team members.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Essential Functions

1. Performs a thorough and appropriate evaluation on all patients with a physician's referral for prosthetics.
2. Provides all measurements, castings, layouts, model modifications and fittings including static and dynamic alignments for orthotics and/or prosthetics.
3. Fabricates and/or fits all prosthetics ordered by physicians.
4. Performs all fitting, modifications, and adjustments of prosthesis after fitting to satisfaction of patient and referring physician.
5. Delivers and fits all prostheses and documents appropriately and in a timely manner.
6. Actively participates as a team member in patient care conferences when appropriate.

• Non-Essential Functions

1. Orders and keeps appropriate shop inventory and equipment.
2. Interacts with nurses, therapists, and physicians in a clinical atmosphere.
3. Participates in departmental quality assessment process.
4. Assists with development and implementation of budget for orthotics/prosthetics department.
5. Continues to develop, educate, and market prosthetics with physicians, health care providers, and in the community. Assists in providing oversight and coordination of team member competency and education. Performs on-site patient pre-admission visits as directed. Attends interdisciplinary team conferences. Participates in community activities.
May have access to clinical applications to view and print records.

Requirements:
1. The Prosthetist staff member must be able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his/her assigned department. The individual must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age, specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the unit's departmental policies and procedures.
2. Master's degree in orthotics and prosthetics.
3. Preferred: 2 year or more experience in fabricating and fitting prostheses in a clinical setting.
4. Good fabrication skill in metals and plastics.
5. Good working knowledge of upper and lower extremities.