Orthopedic Technician II - Orthopedic Surgery

Location: Chesterfield, MO 63017. Scheduled hours: 40 per week. This position will be located in our new Sunset Hills location upon opening and may require local travel to other orthopedic locations.

About the role

Functions as an assistant to physicians and staff in the application, maintenance, and removal of splints, casts, and other orthopedic medical devices. Monitors and orders casting and other medical appliances, including instruments. Cleans instruments and cast rooms per Environmental Health and Safety regulations. Assists with orthopedic technician training.

Responsibilities

• Enter medical equipment appointments.
• Perform splinting and casting under the direction of an orthopedic physician or resident.
• Apply, adjust, measure, and educate patients on medical appliances and equipment.
• Remove casts with care.
• Perform direct and indirect patient care activities within the scope of practice of an orthopedic technologist, such as assisting with dressing changes, suture and staple removal.
• Document care administered into electronic medical records.
• Order and maintain all clinical supplies including Durable Medical Equipment (DME), casting, and clinical supplies.
• Prepare exam rooms and monitor physician schedules as necessary.
• Train and evaluate orthopedic technicians while maximizing staff productivity and training staff residents.
• Implement policies and procedures in the clinical offices.
• Adjust canes, walkers, crutches, and provide ambulation instructions.
• Perform follow-up patient calls when needed.
• Perform pre-surgical education on some medical appliances and equipment.
• Understand payor guidelines and train staff on payor guidelines.
• Review clinic paperwork for accuracy.
• Request prior authorizations, communicate with patients regarding pricing, and track the status of their orders.
• Enter fee tickets daily.
• Clean and organize the cast room so supplies are stocked and ready for use.
• Ensure the end-of-day checklist is reviewed and all tasks are completed before leaving.
• Schedule durable medical equipment appointments when necessary.
• Educate patients on proper cast care.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Clinical office setting with some pressure caused by adherence to patient/physician schedule.
• May require travel between offices.
• Lifting patients and equipment is a regular part of the job.
• Assist with supervision when team leader or supervisor is absent.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent certification, or a combination of education and/or experience.
• Basic Life Support certification must be obtained within one month of hire date (online BLS certifications without a skills assessment component are not sufficient).

Preferred Qualifications

• Related work experience or training as an Orthopedic Technologist, Medical Assistant, Cast Technician, or Certified Athletic Trainer.
• Orthopedic experience (2 years).
• Casting experience (1 year).
• Certifications: Certified Athletic Trainer, Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Orthopaedic Technologist Certified (OTC), Orthopaedic Technologist-Surgery Certified (OT-SC), Registered Orthopedic Technologist (ROT).

Skills

• Ambulatory Care Management
• Anatomy
• Assist with Procedures
• Continuous Learning
• Cross-Functional Teamwork
• Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
• Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• Interpersonal Interactions
• Leadership
• Orthopedic Splints
• Patient Care Documentation
• Physiology
• Policy Communications
• Professional Etiquette
• Schedule Management
• Staple Removal
• Suture Removal
• Telephone Communications
• X-Rays

Pay

Salary range: $17.89 - $26.35 per hour.

Benefits

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• Defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan with university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, and access to dietitians.
• 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with a new child.
• Family care resources for childcare and adult care needs.
• Tuition coverage for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years.