An orthopedic technician assists healthcare professionals in bone care, setting up stabilization devices, removing casts, and educating patients. They may work in hospitals or mobile units, and are responsible for stocking supplies and instruments and completing reports.
An orthopedic technician assists physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals by setting up stabilization devices and utilizing other technology related to bone care. Some orthopedic technicians work in hospitals or other health care facilities and report to senior medical staff. In some cases, this type of technician is responsible for a mobile unit with supplies and instruments designed to assist in bone preparation and fixation, while in other cases he may be assigned to a designated area. In either case, the orthopedic technician will be required to stock and track supplies and keep instrumentation in good working order. He will also need to research and report data in the form of computerized or written reports.
The main focus of this work is the definition and removal of casts, designed to stabilize bones during healing. The orthopedic technician assembles the proper supplies, such as reinforcement pieces, as well as the external applications needed to produce a strong molded cast. He may also be in charge of other types of bone-related medical supplies, such as splints and walking devices. When it comes time to remove the cast, the orthopedic technician is usually responsible for using a hacksaw to remove cast pieces from the cast. During this time, he works with the doctor to remove, examine, and report the condition of the bone and related orthopedic issues.
Some orthopedic technicians, especially those working in larger hospitals, will be responsible for mobile carts that house castings and splints, as well as other applications needed for orthopedic care. In other cases, a technician may be stationed at one location, with patients arriving at the facility and departing upon completion of care. Mobile and stationary orthopedic technicians will be required to respond to requests, as physicians often discover an orthopedic need midway through the medical process.
An orthopedic technician will also be responsible for patient education, including communicating with a wide variety of individuals about the proper care and maintenance of orthopedic devices. He will explain to patients the proper actions for caring for the cast, preventing injury, and the process for future removal. Once the cast is removed, the technician will also be able to instruct the patient on the proper exercises needed to keep the area strong during the remainder of the healing process.
During a typical day, an orthopedic technician checks for necessary supplies and equipment and records the data for necessary medical documentation. It will see new patients and monitor the progress of previous patients. He will also be asked to complete orthopedic reports during the workday and will seek assistance when a more senior member of the medical staff is needed for care. The technician may work as the lead orthopedic appliance specialist on the team or with a group of other technicians with similar job descriptions.
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