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Orthopedic Technician 

UCI Series Concepts

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

September, 1983

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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.

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