Orthopedic Technician

LCMC Health•New Orleans, LA

About The Position

The Orthopedic Technician applies, adjusts, and removes casts, splints, and traction under the direct supervision of orthopedic providers. The role monitors patients for breaks in skin integrity and reports concerns to nursing or medical providers, and educates or assists with care involving traction, casts, splints, and halo devices. The technician serves as a resource to nursing personnel on traction types, modifications, and complications; provides patients with written cast-care information; and educates patients about plaster-cast complications, causes, and treatments. The role also supports patient mobility by educating or assisting nursing staff with Hoyer lifts and bed scales, assisting the hospital Lift team, and helping patient transporters move patients. Additional duties include ordering and maintaining supplies, keeping the Cast Room clean and orderly, cleaning equipment using proper technique, charging appropriately for supplies and equipment, and assisting orthopedic surgeons in the operating room. The position serves neonates and infants, youth, and adults. It is a day-shift role with medium physical demands and frequent physical activity.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent, or two years of work experience in lieu of education.
Basic Life Support Health Care Provider certification from the American Heart Association.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Basic training in nursing assistant, medical corpsman, and EMT work.
Ability to make patient-care judgments and decisions in distracting environments and under time constraints.
Ability to set priorities and provide effective, efficient patient care while managing multiple simultaneous activities, frequently under pressure.
Knowledge of or training in sterilization and infection-control protocols.
Ability to meet the position's medium physical demands, including exerting 20–50 pounds of force occasionally, 10–25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly.

Nice To Haves

One year of orthopedic experience in a clinical or hospital setting is preferred.

Responsibilities

Apply, adjust, and remove casts, splints, and traction under direct supervision of orthopedic providers.
Observe patients for breaks in skin integrity and report findings to a nurse, physician, or provider.
Educate and assist with implementation of plans of care involving traction, casts, splints, and halo devices.
Serve as a resource to nursing personnel regarding traction types, modifications, and complications.
Provide patients with written cast-care information and education about plaster-cast complications, causes, and treatments.
Educate and assist nursing staff in using Hoyer lifts for patient mobility and bed scales for accurate weights.
Assist the hospital Lift team with lifts when needed and help patient transporters move patients as needed.
Order supplies and maintain supply levels.
Maintain the Cast Room in a clean and orderly condition.
Clean equipment using proper technique.
Charge appropriately for supplies and equipment.
Assist orthopedic surgeons in the operating room.