Senior Orthopedic Technician (Sugar Land)

Overview

At Houston Methodist, the Sr Orthopedic Technician position is responsible for assisting physicians and professional nursing personnel applying splints, fiberglass, plaster and custom molding casts. This position exhibits proficiency in application/removal of traction, splints, fiberglass casts, custom orthotic molding and fitting and plaster casts as directed by physician orders. The Sr Orthopedic Technician position educates patients in proper care of casts/splints/dressings/wound care. This position assists in the Imaging department, when needed, to develop film and escort patients to and from exam rooms.

Houston Methodist Standard

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVEDRefer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Establishes and maintains professional relationships, trust and credibility with all on the healthcare team, serving as primary point of contact for plasters, splints and traction with physicians and nursing staff, by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.

• Role models therapeutic communication, which includes active listening and teaching, to establish a relationship with patients, families and interprofessional health care team on collaboration. Problem-solves, assists other techs, managing several ongoing priorities with minimal supervision.

• Initiates contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assists physicians with reduction of fractures/traction.

• Provides education to patients in proper care of casts, splints, dressings and wound care. Ensures understanding and reeducates as appropriate.

• Assists in Radiology department when needed to develop film and escort patients to and from exam rooms.

• Role models behaviors and skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, towards improving department score for patient satisfaction.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Exhibits proficiency in application/removal of traction, splints, fiberglass casts, custom orthotic molding and fitting and plaster casts as directed by physician orders.

• Accurately measures patients for custom & off the shelf braces.

• Cleans/sterilizes instruments used in cast room according to safety standards and protocols.

• Initiates opportunities for process improvement, providing recommendations impacting quality and safety targets, and collaborating with the interprofessional team. Contributes towards meeting department targets for quality and safety.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses knowledge as to which DME braces require authorization and assists in obtaining authorization when needed. Utilizes medical record documentation system to complete estimates, as appropriate. Ensures accurate patient charges and charts treatment in appropriate patient record.

• Maintain proper inventory for cast room materials. Orders supplies and evaluates new products and devices