Lead Orthopedic Technician Rehab services

LEAD ORTHOPEDIC TECHNICIAN / FULL TIME 40 HOURS / DAYS / REHAB SERVICES/ BOSTON MAIN CAMPUS

This position is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Orthopedic Technician Services provided by Brigham and Women's Hospital at onsite and offsite locations. This position will independently establish a work plan that efficiently meets the needs of the patients who have prescriptive orders for orthopedic technologic services or equipment at BWH inpatient care areas, within BWH ambulatory patient care clinics and at off-site locations contracted for these services.

This position in collaboration with a physical therapy supervisor is responsible for the hiring, orientation, competency assurance, and training of staff and senior orthopedic technicians. This position will oversee the technical operation of orthopedic technologic services, including the maintenance of adequate supplies and equipment, and the assurance of safe work practices, environment, and equipment. The individual will also collaborate with orthopedic surgeons and other physicians and the Administrative Assistant responsible for purchasing, regarding orthopedic technological procedures, devices and supplies necessary to meet the needs of the patients and providers. This position also provides direct patient care services and acts as resource for other personnel in the department of rehabilitation services and the hospital, while maintaining or advancing the professional knowledge base consistent with current orthopedic technological practices. The Lead Orthopedic Technician will implement quality assurance programs for the orthopedic technical practice.

Primary Assigned Clinical Area:

* BWH Inpatient Acute Care
* BWH Outpatient Ambulatory Care
* Dana Farber Inpatient Hospital within BWH
* BWF Inpatient Acute Care
* BWF Outpatient Ambulatory Care

The Rehabilitation Services Department at Brigham and Women's Hospital provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, and orthopedic technician services to patients on a consult basis to those on our inpatient floors, outpatient clinics, ICUs, and the Emergency Department. Brigham and Women's Hospital is a nationally ranked academic medical center located in the Longwood Medical Area of Boston, Massachusetts.

On physician order and per established procedures, an orthopedic technician applies, alters and/or removes casts, splints, and prefabricated braces for inpatient and outpatient clinic patients. The Staff Orthopedic Technician educates a patient and/or family member(s) on cast, splint, or equipment care, precautions regarding use of prescribed device(s), cleaning and maintenance of prescribed equipment, and as appropriate, proper donning/doffing of equipment independently. Staff Orthopedic Technicians collaborate with various disciplines across the Brigham and Women's Hospital system to provide specialized care to patients. Technicians are responsible for complying with hospital and department procedures which include but are not limited to confidentiality, safety, infection control, documentation and charging.

Orthopedic technicians will have opportunities for clinical growth through internal continuing education programming as well as financial support for external continuing education courses and conferences. Orthopedic technicians can also participate in a variety of Rehabilitation Department Committees to enhance their professional growth in addition to their clinical care. These committees include: The Community Resource Committee, Practice Standards Committee, Staff Development Committee, Rehab Recognition Committee, Research Committee, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Principle Duties:

* Is responsible for the daily operation of Orthopedic Technical Services. Manages daily staffing schedule and assignments including overtime and paid time off approval; ensures that supplies are available to meet demands for services. Is responsible for triaging services including those at sites not routinely staffed. Directs the activities of staff and assigns patient care and non-direct work consistent with clinical demands at multiple sites.
* Reviews and makes recommendations to current practice standards and procedures. Is responsible for ensuring that written procedures are consistent with the department standard of care and medical management practices at BWH.
* Orients and trains staff. Provides, completes, and ensures the clinical competency assurance required for staff performing direct patient care related to soft goods or equipment measurement and/or fit of these prescriptive devices, teaching associated with patient understanding of the proper use of the device and the correct administrative and quality control before and after a patient has been provided with prescriptive devices.
* Is a resource for and provides clinical supervision of specific technical procedures and tasks performed by orthopedic technicians, and others within and outside the department who provide technical services and equipment. Evaluates the quality of their work; provides guidance, constructive criticism, and demonstrations of appropriate methods of work consistent with established practice standards. Performs written and verbal performance appraisals of subordinate staff.
* Contributes to the hiring process of staff orthopedic technicians, including the recruitment and interview processes with recommendations for hire of technical personnel as per established departmental and hospital procedures.
* Completes required personnel documents (mandatory in-services, education logs, competency, and other training, etc).
* Provides care to patient on BWH inpatient care area, within BWH ambulatory practice clinics, and at contracted offsite locations.
* Acts as a clinical resource in problem-solving patient care for immobilization devices or equipment fit for more difficult and complex patient care issues.
* Ensures that established inventory is effectively and efficiently available and maintained. Reviews and makes recommendations for new products. Assesses and reports any equipment returned by patients with identified issues. Arranges for maintenance and equipment repairs in consultation with Clinical Engineering/ maintains repair logs. Assists in the orientation, training of the orthopedic technical aide in inventory and equipment duties and responsibilities.
* Designs and ensures implementation of educational programs for staff and trainees. Orients medical and orthopedic physician residents in casting techniques and proper positioning for immobilization. Ensures that written competency criteria for new products/ equipment are developed. Trains therapists in practice standards for specific equipment or supplies used by orthopedic technicians. Participates in technical meetings or seminars related to orthopedic technical services/supplies. Is an active member of the Practice Committee of the Department of Rehabilitation Services. ensures that all work areas and equipment are safe, clean, and orderly. Conducts biannual safety audits and monitors compliance with annual Patient Safety Goals. Work conducted per hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Is compliant with all hospital and department policies and procedures.
* Maintains advanced knowledge of technical supplies and equipment, current orthopedic surgical and medical management, and biomechanical principles via the reading of journals, attendance at lectures, conferences and/or meetings. Reviews new equipment and makes recommendations. Attends and applies knowledge gained from Partners Professional Development training, Quality Assurance rounds, computer skills training and other related educational/ training opportunities.
* Collaborates with the Clinical Supervisor in defining new quality assurance projects. Is responsible for conducting ongoing quality assurance programs, which are consistent with hospital and JCAHO requirements. Prepares reports and ensures action is taken to correct/ improve issues or behaviors identified.
* Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

* Prior leadership, supervisory, or project management experience required.
* A minimum of 2 years' work experience as an orthopedic technologist in a major teaching hospital working with multiple trauma and medical/surgical orthopedics including hand trauma, burn trauma, and/or plastic surgery.
* Certification as an Orthopedic Technician, and/or licensure as a Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant or Athletic Trainer preferred.
* Bachelor of Science Degree is strongly preferred.
* Sound understanding of applied anatomy, biomechanics, and kinesiology.
* Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Microsoft Outlook is required and the ability to learn computerized electronic documentation and schedule systems.

Skills/Abilities/Competencies:

* Must possess a high level of administrative knowledge and supervisory skills to independently run the operations of Orthopedic Technology Services.
* Must possess a high degree of technical expertise specifically in casting and bed suspension/traction apparatus.
* Must have a high level of manual dexterity to perform the work of casting and in the handling of the electrical and mechanical equipment used in daily work.
* Must possess a high level of knowledge of alternative equipment or services to make recommendations to the referring physician.
* Must have the ability to exercise independent and sound judgment, flexibility, and the initiative to motivate junior technicians.
* Must have the ability to interact with patients, families, and all levels of hospital staff in a cooperative and professional manner.
* Must have the ability to mobilize traction and bed equipment (up to 250 lbs.), electrical and mechanical, as well as the ability to properly transfer patients to wheelchair to treatment tables or stretcher to bed.
* Must have the ability to spend prolonged periods of time standing while working (up to 80% if the workday).
* Must be able to organize, present and communicate the schedules of multiple clinics and staff work schedules.
* Must have mastered all the duties and responsibilities of a Senior Orthopedic Technician.