Orthopedic Technician - Sports Medicine

For more than 55 years, Family Health Centers of San Diego’s (FHCSD) mission has been to provide caring, affordable, high-quality health care and supportive services to everyone, with a special commitment to uninsured, low-income and medically underserved persons.

FHCSD is one of the top 10 largest federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in the country. We operate more than 90 sites across San Diego County, including 29 primary care clinics, 23 behavioral health facilities, 10 physical rehabilitation clinics, nine dental clinics, five vision clinics, four outpatient substance use treatment programs, three mobile medical units, two mobile counseling centers, two urgent care centers, and a pharmacy.

Our staff provides care to over 227,000 patients each year, of whom 91% are low-income and 29% are uninsured. FHCSD provides care to all. Services include, but are not limited to adult care, chronic disease management, pediatrics, comprehensive women’s care including obstetrics, dental, vision, case management, physical rehabilitation, speech therapy for children, vaccinations, infectious diseases, behavioral health, substance use counseling and a host of specialty services including cardiology, podiatry, endocrinology, dermatology, among others.  FHCSD also offers supportive services to those who are unsheltered and in need of intensive case management.   

The breadth of our clinic locations, services and programs has grown over the last five decades, making us the largest community clinic provider of health care to the uninsured in the county and one of the top 10 largest community clinic organizations in the nation. We are also the largest health care safety-net provider, largest school-based health care provider and the largest mental health provider in the San Diego region.

Family Health Centers of San Diego is looking for an Orthopedic Technician to work with the Sports Medicine and Podiatry Cast Clinic and provide patient care and support services to patients requiring casts, braces, and splints. Responsible for the operation and maintenance of all equipment used in the application and removal of casts.

In this role, you will perform 70% Medical Assistant duties and 30% Orthopedic Technician duties.

Responsibilities:

• Assist Physician in the treatment of injuries to bones and surrounding ligaments and tendons.
• Assist with orthopedic casting procedures to include the application and removal of a variety of casts and splints.
• Assist with routine examination and treatment procedures to include removing casts, cleaning wounds and applying dressings.
• Apply and remove all types of extremity casts and braces using plaster, synthetic materials and thermoplastics.
• Assist Physician in application of special casts, i.e., extremity casts, spicas, etc.
• Adjust and repair casts, braces, and splints.  Use equipment needed for application, adjustment and repair of casts and braces, alignment jigs, hinge apparatus, etc.
• Apply all types of prefabricated soft goods, i.e., slings, braces, collars and immobilizers.
• Fit and adjust canes, crutches, and walkers, and give patient and/or significant other(s) instruction in the use of these aids.
• Set-up and maintain a sterile field for minor orthopedic procedures such as intra-articular injections, aspirations, and subcutaneous hardware removal. Keep cast room, storage area and procedure areas clean and orderly.
• Provide administrative support such as prepping clinics, maintaining patient records/charts, ensuring specialty equipment (i.e., cast saw), and supplies are available.
• Document/perform patient charting using appropriate documentation template, standard medical terminology, physical and emotional reactions, and general patient care.  Enter information related to care rendered, and condition and progress of the patient.
• Review and compare clinic schedule with availability of bone films to ensure patient and films are available for clinic appointment.
• Document patient care data, and patient’s response to care in computerized patient record (E-HR).
• Check orthopedic equipment, perform safety checks, and provide direct feedback to nurses/MA’s, providers, and area Leadership when needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalency required.
• Certification as an Orthopedic Health Technologist required.
• Current American Heart Association healthcare provider CPR (BLS), or Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life Support, or Advanced Resuscitation Training required.
• 1 - 2 years of experience as an Orthopedic Technician required.
• Traveling between sites and other locations is occasionally required. Must have a valid California driver’s license, an automobile, and proof of minimum levels of car insurance as required under California law, although limits of $100,000 are recommended. An acceptable driving record is also required. California law requires all drivers to obtain a valid California driver’s license within ten days of establishing residency. Reasonable accommodation may be provided on a case-by-case basis. Mileage and other reimbursement governed by policy.

Experience/Specialized skills:

• Experience in an outpatient orthopedic cast clinic or similar medical setting preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of methods, techniques, and the sequence undertaken in the development of casts and braces, to include knowledge of materials and their applications.
• Ability to provide direct patient care to patients requiring casts, braces, splints, and medical support to providers.
• Knowledge of normal and abnormal results to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures.
• Knowledge of body mechanics to ensure safety of patients.
• Demonstrated knowledge of OSHA safety standards for blood borne pathogens and universal precaution techniques for protection from infections.
• Ability to perform basic patient care activities and accommodative services for assigned patients.
• Demonstrated ability in operation and maintenance of equipment used in the application and removal of casts, braces, splints, etc.
• Skill in using professional literature, evidence-based research and continuing education content in making patient care-related decisions.

Rewards:

• Job type: Regular Part Time (32 hour a week)
• Competitive Salary with Excellent Benefits
• Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Paid Time Off, Extended Sick Leave and Paid Holidays
• Medical/Dental/Vision/FSA/Life Insurance
• Employee Discounts and Wellness Programs

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to community medicine and providing culturally competent care to the medically underserved.

We are excited to share that the salary range for this position is:

Information on our extensive benefits package can be found here: FHCSD Wellness – Employee Hub (gobenefits.net)

FHCSD provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.