Orthopedic Technician

Class Specifications – H.15
Principal Orthopedic Technician – 8927
Senior Orthopedic Technician – 8928
Orthopedic Technician – 8929

September, 1983

Series Concept

Orthopedic Technicians assist physicians and professional nursing personnel in the care and treatment of patients with orthopedic needs in a hospital and/or clinic facility; maintain the cast room and orthopedic equipment and devices; assist with the application and removal of plaster casts; and perform other related duties as required.

Incumbents perform duties which are directly related to the physical care of patients in an in-patient and out-patient facility. Incumbents order supplies and maintain orthopedic instruments and equipment; prepare patients for application of orthopedic devices; remove plasters; dispense, apply, and adjust traction apparatus according to orthopedists’ orders; assist patients in walkers and on crutches; care for plaster casts; instruct patients in simple exercises; assemble orthopedic fracture tables; set up equipment for skeletal traction; prepare canvas covers, Bradford frames, Stryker frames, Circoelectric beds and Foster bed covers; set up overhead frames; apply Buck’s cervical and pelvic traction; assist physicians with balance suspensions, lateral and Russell’s traction; maintain and assemble Bell and Risser tables; make rounds with orthopedist and assist in dressing changes; apply braces; check and adjust braces for function, comfort and fit; demonstrate crutch walking gaits, cane walking, and weight bearing of fractures on casts; measure to prevent excessive swelling on new fractures; initiate charge documents; and keep records and charts. Incumbents may assist in the orientation and training of technicians, medical students and residents in the proper use of orthopedic procedures and devices, advanced/complex technical aspects of orthopedic care and new techniques.

The Orthopedic Technician series consists of three levels with the distinction between levels based on the scope and/or complexity of orthopedic functions and the degree of supervision exercised.

Class Concepts

Principal Orthopedic Technician

Under direction, incumbents supervise lower level Orthopedic Technicians and coordinate all technical and clerical work related to the performance of orthopedic functions at a campus medical center. Incumbents make assignments; review the work of lower level Orthopedic Technicians; and train and/or direct technicians in the performance of new orthopedic procedures. Incumbents order supplies and evaluate new products and devices for possible future use; prepare budget estimates and monitor expenses; and are assigned responsibility for the maintenance and operation of orthopedic equipment and devices.

Senior Orthopedic Technician

Under general supervision, incumbents perform advanced duties on a regular basis by working with the more difficult cases requiring more thorough experience and education and exercise of more independent judgment. These advanced duties are typically performed in operating rooms during surgery. Incumbents may, in addition, direct the work of Orthopedic Technicians.

Orthopedic Technician

Under supervision, incumbents perform the duties outlined in the series concept.

Minimum Qualifications

Completion of orthopedic technician training program, and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

Note: Specific qualification requirements are approved for positions by the Personnel Manager in accordance with the provisions of Staff Personnel Policies 210.8 and 210.g.