Orthopedic Cast Technician

Motion is Life! We bring motion back to the lives of the patients and families we serve. We are Newport Orthopedic Institute (Innovative Health Management Partner), the largest coastal orthopedic specialty group in Orange County with locations in Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Irvine. For more than 15 years, NOI has established a remarkable track record of innovation and care that enables our providers to improve the lives of our patients. Discover the difference here at Newport Orthopedic Institute. We work passionately and with a clear sense of purpose and responsibility to ensure our patients get the best orthopedic care available. As a top rated organization, we’ve helped thousands regain their freedom and quality of life. We are a growing organization and have immediate openings for eager and driven professionals.

At Newport Orthopedic Institute, you are given the opportunities and challenges you desire to embrace your potential and achieve your personal best every day. What you’ll find here is something special – it’s purposeful work done with a shared sense of community that brings us all together. Come join our world-class team of Board Certified Physicians and professionals here in Newport Beach, California.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Certificate from college or technical school or two years related experience

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum two years experience as Orthopedic Technician
• Comfortable using e-mail and interacting with Internet applications
• Knowledge of practice management and word processing software
• Ability to perform multiple and diverse tasks simultaneously
• Capable of handling irate patients/customers and dealing with conflict
• Familiarity with scheduling and rearranging appointments
• Working knowledge of managed care
• Pleasant speaking voice and demeanor
• Neat, professional appearance
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:

Casting

• Greets patients and screens for appropriate information.
• Prepares and positions patient for casting procedure; alerts physician of patient discomfort.
• Performs routine examination and treatment procedures to include removing casts, cleaning wounds and applying medication and dressings.

Orthopedic Technician

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• Removes whole and broken casts and alters position of cast to change setting of patient’s limb or body part as directed.
• Updates patient records to reflect up-to-date patient progress, care plans and related orthopedic data prescribed by physician.
• Assembles metal or fiberglass material to make orthopedic splints.
• Instructs patients in cast wear, wound care, swelling and how to remove and apply splints.
• Adjusts crutches and canes to fit patient; assists patients in walking with casts, braces and crutches.
• Dispenses medication samples and prescriptions as directed by physician.
• Educates patient/family about medications, cast maintenance and application/wearing of orthopedic devices.
• Serves as resource for patients via telephone. Accesses problems regarding casts.

Clinical Support (as needed)

• Puts charts up for physician when patient is ready in exam room.
• Greets patient and escorts them from the waiting room to exam rooms; prepares patients for exam or treatment.
• Prepares and maintains exam and treatment rooms with necessary instruments and supplies. Insures cleanliness.
• Prepares for the day by assuring that all equipment, medical records, test results and films are available for the physician.
• Assists physicians during examinations and minor procedures as directed by the physician. May perform suture/stitch removal and dressing removal/applications, remove and apply casts and splints, etc.
• Documents all patient correspondence, whether the encounter is in person, by phone, fax or e-mail.
• Pre-certifies surgical and other procedures, as necessary.
• Schedules tests and off site procedures, as necessary.
• Orders and maintains supplies; stocks exam rooms; maintains equipment for treatments, including sterilizer, cast saw, centrifuge.
• Takes inventory and orders supplies from Company-approved vendors in coordination with other MAs.
• Disposes of contaminated items according to OSHA guidelines.
• Approves pharmacy requests for prescription refills according to physician protocol.
• Performs and documents patient education, as requested.
• Calls patient within two days after surgery to check on status, pain level; answers questions.
• Works with Appointment Schedulers to answer and address all clinical questions from patients as soon as possible.

Orthopedic Technician

• Obtains and reviews all test results and reports ordered by physician. Presents abnormal results to physician for immediate review, assures all results and reports are in the medical record for physician to review and approve.
• Ensures that reference laboratory picks up laboratory samples.
• Cleans and closes down laboratory equipment at the end of the day
• Obtains internal authorization for workers’ compensation referrals to NOI physicians, services or surgery.
• Provides internal office staff, workers’ compensation adjusters and/or case managers with work status reports and other clinical information as requested.
• Completes patient disability forms for physician approval.

ROUTINE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Sets up and prepares exam room; sets up instruments and equipment.
• Maintains clean and orderly work area; cleans and sterilizes medical supplies and instruments.
• Maintains inventory of supplies; reorders as required.
• Scans/files patient documents into TouchChart.
• Maintains patient confidentiality; complies with HIPAA and compliance guidelines established by the practice.
• Maintains detailed knowledge of practice management and other computer software as it relates to job functions.
• Attends all regular staff meetings.
• Performs all other tasks and projects assigned by the Manager

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Typical Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. In assisting patients on and off the exam table, the employee must frequently assist persons of varying weights (sometimes more than 50 pounds); other employees available to assist as needed. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distant vision.