Orthopedic Technologist Lead

Full Time Monday - Friday Days

General Summary

Assists the orthopedic physician in the care and treatment of patients with orthopedic needs. Applies and removes casts for all types of fractures. Fits and adjusts canes, crutches and walkers. Instructs patients in the use of orthopedic appliances and cast and traction care. Maintains cast room and inventory of orthopedic equipment and supplies. Provides supervisory support for Orthopedic Technologists in the practice and at the hospital.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Applies casts for all types of fractures. Fits and adjusts canes, crutches and walkers. Instructs patients in the use of orthopedic appliances and cast and traction care.
• Assists in the treatment of patients with orthopedic needs.
• Prepares or sets up specific types of traction requested by the orthopedic physician and is able to assess patients in traction, detect deficiencies in the apparatus and make adjustments as necessary.
• Applies simple braces, prosthetics, performs minor adjustments and repairs, as well as fabricates splints for various conditions under the direction of the orthopedic physician.
• Maintains cast room and inventory of orthopedic equipment and supplies.
• Supervises the activities of Orthopedic Technologists at the practice and in the hospital.
• Provides training for new clinical and support staff; provides training support for other practices, the emergency department, clinics and urgent care centers.
• Assesses and documents competency of staff applying casts and orthopedic appliances.

Common Expectations:

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span of the assigned patient population. Assesses and interprets patient age specific data and provides appropriate, age specific treatment. Provides direct patient care to assigned patient age group(s).
• Demonstrates a commitment to patient, visitor and staff by: complying with all applicable safety regulations; learning the impact of medical errors and methodology that will lead to reduction of errors; reporting actual and potential errors, as well as hazardous conditions; identifying opportunities to standardize processes and "error proof" systems that will lead to increased safety; and participating in safety education programs and root cause analyses as required.
• Maintains established policies and procedures, objectives, quality assessment, safety, environmental and infection control standards.
• Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, inservice meetings, and workshops.
• Provides outstanding service to all customers; fosters teamwork; and practices fiscal responsibility through improvement and innovation.

Required for All Jobs:

• Performs other related duties as identified.
• WellSpan Health has adopted and implemented a compliance program to support WellSpan's values and standards for professionalism, integrity, and ethics. Expected to support and meet the values and standards of the organization and the performance expectations of the job, the department, and the compliance program.
• WellSpan Health has adopted and implemented a privacy program to safeguard the patient information and the business and operational information of the organization. Expected to support and meet the values and standards of the organization to safeguard patient and business/operational information.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

• High School Diploma or GED Required

Work Experience:

• 1 year Work experience in a hospital, clinic or office setting, working directly in the treatment of orthopedic patients. Required

Courses and Training:

• National Board Certification of Orthopedic Technologist. Upon Hire Preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to articulate descriptions of orthopedic conditions based upon a basic understanding of anatomical structures and their relationship with one another.
• Ability to apply upper and remove upper and lower extremity casts.
• Understanding of theory and application of skin and skeletal traction.