Orthopedic Tech Coordinator - Adult Outpatient Pavilion - Days

VCU Health•Richmond, VA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

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. 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.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
Orthopedic Technician Certified (OTC) National Board Certification Orthopedic Technologists (required within 6 months of hire)
Current BLS/CPR Certification
Five (5) years experience as an Orthopedic Technician
Three (3) years experience as team lead and/or trainer
Knowledge of Orthopedic clinic operations
Previous experience in care delivery in an outpatient setting
Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.
Anatomy and physiology for all patient populations
Expert level of knowledge of all types of casting and splinting materials.
Advanced skill and knowledge for selecting the proper procedure for the removal of a cast or splint.
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.
Advanced knowledge and proven competency in positioning patients, sterile preparation, and instrument selection.
Expert level knowledge regarding custom braces, including proper fitting and measuring techniques.
Knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served (Infant, Pediatrics, Adolescents, Adults, Geriatrics).

Nice To Haves

B.S Health Science or other healthcare related degree
Academic Health Care Experience

Responsibilities

Independently perform all job duties listed in the Orthopedic Tech job description at an expert level and maintain valid OTC certification.
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).
Establish and maintain relationship-based care for patients as well as coordinate care across disciplines.
Mentor and educate the Orthopedic Tech staff by structuring and coordinating their onboarding and providing continuing education and/or training to all staff.
Ensure patient care maintains a high level of evidence-based practice through research.
Provide outreach across all Ambulatory clinics if needed.
Apply and remove casting, splints, and devices, and set up and maintain traction with the highest level of skill.
Fit and finish castings after fabrication, involving extensive patient contact.
Perform duties as determined by the medical team with more independence than the staff level.
Focus on patient care, education, research, and outreach with all ambulatory Orthopedic clinics.
Assume primary responsibility for the orientation, training, and mentoring of other Orthopedic Technicians.
Assume additional responsibilities, as delegated by the ACM.
Collaborate with all clinicians (including MD, PA, NP or RN) to determine the most appropriate cast or brace for a patient with a particular diagnosis and treatment(s).
Apply casts and splints at a high level of proficiency, from fit to finish.
Utilize appropriate padding, wrapping, and molding techniques to ensure proper fit and placement of a cast or splint.
Select the appropriate procedure for the removal of a cast or splint.
Maintain proper alignment of the fracture in every phase of treatment: application, adjustment, and removal, when using a cast saw, scissor, or other device.
Perform specific patient care, casting, and splinting after validation of approved skills and competency, under the direction and supervision of a provider (e.g., Hip Spica, casts with brace drop lock, BKA, diabetic patients, spastic children and adults, serial casting).
Perform removal of external fixator, removal of pins, removal of drains upon demonstrated competency and under provider direction.
Perform custom bracing.
Assist the physician in the outpatient procedure setting and clinic.
Position patients, sterile preparation, and instrument selection.
Fit the orthopedic device/brace per provider orders.
Collaborate with provider and/or clinical staff to facilitate proper patient education and documentation related to the proper use of crutches, canes, walkers, and wheelchairs, and proper care of casts, splints, or other orthopedic devices.
Assist 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.
Attend advanced level lectures and seminars to further education and provide 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.
Participate in on-going continued education through professional journals, continuing education programs, and other offerings available and required for OTC certification.
Maintain proper equipment, tools, and supplies for the cast room.
Order cast room supplies as needed and monitor regularly for expiration dates.
Escalate any special order needs not available through supply chain to manager as needed.
Identify cast room inefficiencies or barriers and bring these to the attention of the ACM.
Develop a plan with the ACM to resolve cast room 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.
Escalate any noncompliance issues to ACM.
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.
Maintain 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.
Collaborate 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.
Serve as a resource to assist Triage RN with casting or splinting related questions and appointments.
Collaborate with ACM to ensure adequate clinical coverage.
Cross cover all Orthopedic clinic sites as needed in the event of unexpected absences.
Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.