Orthopedic Technician

County of Santa Clara•San Jose, CA

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Orthopedic Technician assists physicians by carrying out orders for the application, modification, and removal of splints, casts, and traction, and by assisting with pin insertion and removal, fracture reduction, and external fixation. The role serves patients in inpatient and outpatient areas and may involve working at different Santa Clara Valley Healthcare sites. Employees may perform related duties at an equivalent level, and individual employees may not perform every listed task. Santa Clara Valley Healthcare is a public healthcare system serving Santa Clara County through hospitals, clinics, and specialty services. Employees may be assigned as Disaster Service Workers and, in an emergency, must return to work as ordered after completing assigned training.

Requirements

One year of full-time experience working or being trained as an orthopedic technician, or successful completion of a recognized Orthopedic Technician course program evidenced by a certificate.
Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work.
If driving, a valid California driver's license before appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain County driver authorization.
Knowledge of types of casts, splints, and traction devices and the conditions for which each is used.
Knowledge of methods and techniques for applying, modifying, repairing, and removing casts and splints.
Knowledge of methods for setting up and adjusting traction devices.
Knowledge of safety protocols, including sterile and aseptic techniques, and safety procedures.
Knowledge of English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and common computer systems and applications.
Ability to instruct patients about cast care and related matters.
Ability to communicate effectively with traumatized persons and people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Ability to follow physicians' orders regarding casting, splinting, and traction.
Ability to document and bill appropriately.
Ability to work in inpatient and outpatient areas.
Ability to read and understand material safety data sheets and other safety communications.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies at all levels.
Ability to stand and sit for long periods and exert moderate physical effort, stamina, and manual dexterity when handling patients and equipment.
Ability to assist, support, lift, and transfer patients safely.
As a condition of employment, County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers and must complete assigned related training and return to work as ordered in an emergency.

Responsibilities

Greet patients and explain splint, cast, or traction procedures.
Apply splints, casts, soft goods, and traction according to physicians' orders.
Set up traction for transporting patients to other departments.
Evaluate casts, splints, and soft goods, and repair or replace them as appropriate.
Bivalve, univalve, and remove casts according to physicians' orders.
Perform cast wedging as ordered.
Inspect cast-related wounds on request and remove staples and stitches as ordered.
Prepare patients, equipment, and medications, and assist physicians with pin insertion and removal, fracture reduction, and external fixation.
Instruct patients on cast care, ambulation limitations, crutch use, dressing wounds in casts, and symptoms of cast-related problems.
Identify cast problems and make repairs as needed.
Observe patients' condition and inform the physician of relevant findings.
Make appropriate charges for traction and equipment, and return equipment that is not in use.
Order supplies and equipment.
Document patient care, billing, supplies, and equipment appropriately.
Assist with carrying out orders in Emergency and Operating rooms as requested.
Complete assigned Disaster Service Worker training and return to work as ordered in an emergency.
Perform other related duties as required.