Orthopedic Tech Coordinator - Adult Outpatient Pavilion - Days

Located on the 12th floor of the Adult Outpatient Pavilion, our Multispecialty Surgery & Wound Care Clinic provides specialized Orthopedic and Plastic & Reconstructive care to adult patients. We serve patients throughout their diagnostic and surgical journey. We are proud to have several of our surgeons regionally recognized as top doctors in their specialty! Our team of RNs, Athletic Trainers, LPNs, and CMAs work collaboratively to their full scope of practice. Joining our team will mean you have chosen a team of colleagues who is passionate about serving patients and each other. Our clinic hours are Monday-Friday 8am–5pm.

The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator is responsible for independently performing all job duties listed in the Orthopedic Tech job description at an expert level and maintains valid OTC certification. In addition, the Orthopedic Tech Coordinator will also perform the set up/maintenance of traction, the fitting and finishing of castings, and other job responsibilities delegated by the Assistant Clinical Manager (ACM), or the Clinical Manager (CM). This position requires exceptional interpersonal skills to establish and maintain relationship-based care for patients as well as coordinate care across disciplines.

Other duties include mentoring and educating the Orthopedic Tech staff by structuring and coordinating their onboarding and providing continuing education and/or training to all staff. This role will be proficient in research to ensure patient care maintains a high level of evidence-based practice. If needed, the Orthopedic Tech Coordinator will provide outreach across all Ambulatory clinics.

The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator possesses the highest level of skill in the application and removal of casting, splints, and devices, and the set up and maintenance of traction. All of the duties of the Orthopedic Tech are fulfilled. After fabrication, this position is further involved by fitting and finishing castings, involving extensive patient contact. The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator will be more independent than the staff level to perform duties as determined by the medical team. The primary focus of this position is patient care but it also includes significant efforts with education, research, and outreach with all ambulatory Orthopedic clinics. The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator possesses the primary responsibility for the orientation, training and mentoring of other Orthopedic Technicians. The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator will assume additional responsibilities, as delegated by the ACM. He or she functions with a high degree of autonomy under the supervision of the ACM. An essential component of the Orthopedic Technician Coordinator is to demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills while working with various disciplines.

Essential Job Statements

Casting and Splinting

The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator collaborates with all clinicians (including MD, PA, NP or RN) to determine the most appropriate cast or brace for a patient with particular diagnosis and treatment(s).

The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator applies casts and splints at a high level of proficiency, from fit to finish. She/he possesses and demonstrates expert level of knowledge of all types of casting and splinting materials.

The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator utilizes the appropriate padding, wrapping and molding techniques to ensure proper fit and placement of a cast or splint.

The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator possesses advanced skill and knowledge for selecting (identifying) the proper procedure for the removal of a cast or splint. When using a cast saw, scissor, or other device, she/he must maintain proper alignment of the fracture in every phase of treatment: application, adjustment, and removal.

The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator possesses expert knowledge of the procedures for using a cast saw, scissors, and or other devises necessary to maintain proper anatomical positioning throughout each phase of treatment, application and or adjustment.

Specific patient care, casting and splinting applied by an Orthopedic Technician Coordinator after validation of approved skills and competency. All application performed under direction and supervision of provider:

Hip Spica, casts with brace drop lock, BKA, diabetic patients, spastic children and adults, serial casting.

Removal of external fixator, removal of pins, removal of drains upon demonstrated competency and under provider direction.

Custom bracing.

Orthopedic Devices/Braces

The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator assists the physician in the outpatient procedure setting and clinic. He/She possesses advanced knowledge and proven competency in positioning patients, sterile preparation, and instrument selection.

The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator fits the orthopedic device/brace per provider orders. These devices/braces include, but are not limited to:

Boots

Diabetic shoes/boots

Humerus braces

Night splints

Cervical collars

Hand splints

Knee braces

Post-op shoes

Darco shoes

Hip braces

Lumbar braces

The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator possesses expert level knowledge regarding custom braces. This knowledge includes proper fitting and measuring techniques to ensure optimal patient comfort and care.

Education/Certification

The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator collaborates with provider and/or clinical staff to facilitate proper patient education and documentation related to the proper use of crutches, canes, walkers and wheelchairs, proper care of casts, splints, or other orthopedic devices.

The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator assists with the education of all clinical staff including but not limited to: Physician Assistants, Residents, medical students, Nurse Practitioners, RNs, LPNs, MAs, ATCs and Orthopedic Techs.

The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator attends advanced level lectures and seminars to further their education and provides regular in-services with medical staff to share this knowledge and provide ongoing training and learning related to any reported safety events involving casting or splinting.

The Orthopedic Tech Coordinator participates in on-going continued education through professional journals, continuing education programs, and other offerings available and required for OTC certification.

Miscellaneous Cast Room and Ancillary Clinic Responsibilities

Maintains proper equipment, tools, and supplies for the cast room. Orders cast room supplies as needed and monitors regularly for expiration dates. Escalates any special order needs not available through supply chain to manager as needed.

Identifies cast room inefficiencies or barriers and brings these to the attention of the ACM. Together, the Orthopedic Technician Coordinator and the ACM will develop a plan to resolve issues.

Daily Review of Mini C-arm/fluoro exam list to ensure compliance with radiation safety verifying all images have been documented under patient identifier with dose report and images saved appropriately to PACs. Escalates any noncompliance issues to ACM.

Ability to assist with development and follow policies and procedures relating to cast room staff duties.

Assist in the development of casting and splinting related competencies and training programs for staff.

Maintains compliance standards and regulations such as Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation, Health Information Privacy and Portability Act and other hospital or governmental regulations as they become known to the staff.

Identifying and Escalating Urgent Care Concerns

Collaborates with clinical team including but not limited to ACM, RNs and ATCs regarding incoming patient calls and outside physician or health care staff questions related to casting, splinting or DME.

Serves as a resource to assist Triage RN with casting or splinting related questions and appointments.

Collaborates with ACM to ensure adequate clinical coverage.

Available to cross cover all Orthopedic clinic sites as needed in the event of unexpected absences.

Patient Population

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.

Infant (1-12 months)

Pediatrics (1-12 years)

Adolescents (13-17 years)

Adults (18-64 years)

Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Employment Qualifications

Required Education

High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Education

B.S Health Science or other healthcare related degree

Anatomy and physiology for all patient populations

Licensure/Certification Required

Orthopedic Technician Certified (OTC) National Board Certification Orthopedic Technologists (required within 6 months of hire)

Licensure/Certification Required

Current BLS/CPR Certification

Minimum Qualifications

Years and Type of Required Experience

Five (5) years experience as an Orthopedic Technician

Three (3) years experience as team lead and/or trainer

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

Knowledge of Orthopedic clinic operations

Previous experience in care delivery in an outpatient setting

Cultural Responsiveness

Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred

Academic Health Care Experience

Working Conditions

Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.

May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse. May be exposed to adverse weather conditions; cold, hot, dust, wind, etc.

Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.

May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights.

May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids. *

May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious Materials. *

May have periods of constant interruptions.

Prolonged periods of working alone.

Other: Working hours may include Sunday through Saturday, day and evening.

• Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Physical Requirements

Physical Demands: Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.), Lifting/ Carrying (50-100 lbs.), Lifting/ Carrying (100+ lbs.), Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.), Push/ Pull (50-100 lbs.), Stoop, Kneel, Squat, Crawling, Climbing, Balance, Bending

Work Position: Sitting, Walking, Standing

Additional Physical Requirements/ Hazards

Physical Requirements: Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination), Maneuver weight of patients, Hear alarms/telephone/tape recorder, Reach above shoulder, Repetitive arm/hand movements, Finger Dexterity, Color Vision, Acuity - far, Acuity - near

Hazards: Use of Latex Gloves, Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents, Exposure to moving mechanical parts, Exposure to dust/fumes, Exposure to potential electrical shock, Exposure to x ray/electromagnetic energy

Mental/Sensory – Emotional

Mental / Sensory: Strong Recall, Reasoning, Problem Solving, Hearing, Speak Clearly, Write Legibly, Reading, Logical Thinking

Emotional: Fast-paced environment, Able to Handle Multiple Priorities, Frequent and Intense Customer Interactions, Noisy Environment, Able to Adapt to Frequent Change

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran