An orthopedic technician assists doctors, surgeons, and other health-care professionals installing stabilization devices and using other technology related to bone care. Some orthopedic technicians report to senior medical staff and work in hospitals or other health care facilities. In some cases, this technician is in charge of a mobile unit that contains supplies and instruments to aid in the preparation and setting of bones, while in others, he is assigned to a specific area. In both cases, the orthopedic technician will be responsible for stocking and tracking supplies as well as maintaining instrumentation. He’ll also have to conduct research and compile data into computerized or written reports.
The main responsibility of this job is to apply and remove casts, which are used to keep bones stable while they heal. To make a strong molded cast, the orthopedic technician gathers the necessary supplies, such as reinforcement pieces and exterior applications. He could also be in charge of splints and walking aids, as well as other bone-related medical supplies. When a cast needs to be removed, the orthopedic technician is usually in charge of removing the molded pieces of the cast with a saw. He assists the doctor in removing, examining, and reporting the condition of the bone and any related orthopedic concerns during this time.
Some orthopedic technicians, particularly those working in larger hospitals, will be in charge of movable carts containing cast and splint materials as well as other orthopedic-related applications. In other cases, a technician may be stationed in a single location, with patients arriving for service and leaving once their treatment is completed. Because doctors frequently discover an orthopedic need midway through a medical procedure, both mobile and stationary orthopedic technicians will be required to respond to requests.
An orthopedic technician will also be in charge of patient education, which will include communicating with a wide range of people about how to properly care for and maintain orthopedic devices. He’ll go over how to care for a cast, how to avoid re-injury, and how to prepare for its removal. The technician may also instruct a patient on appropriate exercises to keep the area strong during the rest of the healing process once the cast is removed.
An orthopedic technician’s typical day entails checking supplies and equipment, as well as recording data for medical paperwork. He’ll see new patients and keep track of those who have already been seen. During the workday, he will be expected to complete orthopedic reporting, and he will seek assistance when a more senior medical staff member is needed for care. The technician may work as the company’s primary orthopedic appliance expert or as part of a team of technicians with similar responsibilities.