Orthopedic Technician

Performs a variety of routine technical procedures associated with orthopedics, including applying, adjusting and removing casts and splints, to assist the Physician/Physician Assistant in the care and treatment of orthopedic patients, according to practice, routine or established procedures. Makes members/patients and their needs a primary focus of ones actions; develops and sustains productive member/patient relationships. Actively seeks information to understand member/patient circumstances, problems, expectations, and needs. Builds rapport and cooperative relationship with members/patients. Considers how actions or plans will affect members; responds quickly to meet member/patient needs and resolves problems.

• This position, knows and complies with all Kaiser Permanente quality, safety, and emergency policies and procedures. Demonstrates quality and effectiveness in work habits and clinical practice in every interaction with patients, colleagues, providers, and leadership. Ensures patient safety in the preparation and provisioning of care related to but not limited to medications, procedures, infection prevention, fall prevention, including consistent use of two patient identifiers and procedural time outs. Reports safety hazards, accidents and incidents, and unsafe working conditions promptly.
• Applies, adjusts and removes casts and splints, e.g. long leg casts and splints, cylinder casts and forearm splints, for patients as directed by Physician/Physician Assistant. Reviews Physician/Physician Assistant orders; positions affected area of patients body; covers injured area with specified protective material; prepares and wraps casting/splinting material around affected area; trims, remodels and bivalves casts; and cuts windows in casts. Consults with Physician/Physician Assistant regarding unusual or complex casting or splinting.
• Assists Physician/Physician Assistant with special orthopedic procedures, e.g. preparation of treatment rooms requiring sterile field, fracture manipulation and pin removal; maintains patient in correct position ad prepares injured area of patient.
• Removes dressing, clean wounds/surgical incisions, remove staples and/or sutures, and apply dressing materials used to cover a wound or surgical incision within established protocol. Repairs, trims, adjust, remove, and reapply casts and/or splints based on written or verbal Physician/Physician Assistant instructions.
• Maintains and prepares the cast room for specific procedures as well as the cleanup duties that follow in accordance with infection control guidelines. Measures, fits and adjusts crutches and canes. Teaches basic gait training.
• Documents all procedures on patient progress sheet or CIS and sends to Physician/Physician Assistant to co-sign.
• May be required to order standard and nonstandard orthopedic supplies to maintain an adequate inventory used in the care and treatment of orthopedic patients.
• Performs the duties of a Medical Assistant II or Medical Receptionist as directed. Looks for appropriate opportunities to assist where needed.
• Assists members who are upset or anxious about their visit to the Orthopedics Department. Acts as a contact for Customer Services.
• Schedules appointments for orthopedic clinic visits.
• In addition to defined technical requirements, accountable for consistently demonstrating service behaviors and principles defined by the Kaiser Permanente Service Quality Credo, the KP Mission as well as specific departmental/organizational initiatives. Also accountable for consistently demonstrating the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors necessary to provide superior and culturally sensitive service to each other, to our members, and to purchasers, contracted providers and vendors.