Job Summary

Provide direct and indirect patient care in the orthopedic clinic setting. Must be able to respond quickly and accurately to changes in condition or response to treatment and perform general nursing duties in all departments with adequate supervision. Coordinate with team members and provider(s) to ensure efficient, quality patient outcomes throughout the continuum of care.

Essential Functions

• Work with doctor(s) to perform treatments on patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
• Monitor the patient’s health and general body condition and report changes and improvements to the doctor.
• Take pain prescriptions from the doctors and administer same to the patients.
• Monitor and quickly attend to any signs of negative reactions to drugs and allergies.
• Educate patients on steps to take to manage pain and how to avoid post-surgical infections.
• Assist orthopedic doctors in performing their duties.
• Perform wound dressing on patients with infections.

• Answer incoming telephone calls, greet patients, entertain inquiries, and facilitate correspondence with regards to their treatment in the clinic
• Liaise with the orthopedist in booking patients’ appointments in line with their schedule to facilitate smooth flow of operations
• Record medical histories and vital signs of patients by carrying out proper checkup on them before consultation with the physician
• Sterilize equipment before and after treatment and properly dispose used containers and items to avoid infection
• Supervise drug refills and place supply orders as directed by the orthopedist, and inspect delivered items for durability to avoid the use of substandard or expired products
• Explain medication instruction to patients based on orthopedist’s prescription and advise them on special diets to fasten their recovery
• Fill insurance information, inspect insurance authorizations and provide officials with accurate information of patients’ health
• Clean the treatment room to avoid infection, and get it ready after use for the treatment of other patients
• Create and fill patients’ chart with relevant and current information about their health condition, and update chart with changes and progress in patients’ health
• Monitor patients’ recovery process, inform the orthopedist of observations, and recommend changes in unresponsive treatment techniques
• Maintain communication with patients after treatment to monitor their progress and suggest continuous treatment in the event of a relapse

Miscellaneous duties

• Fit patient and instruct on use of crutches and canes.
• Serve as back up by aiding orthopedic medical assistants

Non-Essential Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned

Professional Requirements

• Promote the mission, vision, and values of the organization
• Adhere to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
• Complete annual education requirements.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Report to work on time and as scheduled.
• Wear identification while on duty.
• Maintain regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations.
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times.
• Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices.
• Communicate the mission, ethics, and goals of the organization.
• Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Attend regular staff meetings and in-services.

Qualification

• Current registered nurse licensure in the state of New Mexico
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or must be obtained within thirty (30) days of hire
• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification or must be obtained within six (6) months of hire
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification or must be obtained within six (6) months of hire
• Casting Technician Certification or ability to obtain within thirty (90) days from hire
• Prior experience as a Casting Technician, Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, Orthopedic Surgical Technician, and other related profession preferred
• Knowledge of orthopedic devices and their usage, fracture casting techniques preferred
• Ability to maintain strict patient confidentiality
• Management skills; strong organization and problem-solving skills; works well in a team setting
• Communicates effectively both orally and in writing

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to determine appropriate course of action in more complex situations
• Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, be attentive to detail, and maintain a positive attitude
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize scheduling of work
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all medical, financial, and legal information
• Ability to complete work assignments accurately and in a timely manner
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing/electronically
• Ability to handle difficult situations involving patients, physicians, or others in a professional manner

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions

• Will frequently stand/walk up to 8 hours per day.
• Will frequently use hands while keyboarding and writing.
• Will frequently sit up to 2-4 hours per day while accessing computer, talking on the telephone, and while attending meetings.
• Working irregular hours
• Physically demanding, high-stress environment
• Exposure to blood and body fluids, communicable diseases, chemicals, radiation, and repetitive motions
• Pushing and pulling heavy objects
• Full range of body motion including handling and lifting patients.

• Position requires reaching, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing.