In The News

CAREERS IN HEALTH CARE

Sunday, January 30, 2000       Houston Chronicle       Careen in Health Care

Casting Call
Orthopedic technicians breaking out of healthcare industry mold hand

The field of orthopedic technology is a developing and varied field, and the need for this medical professional is increasing. "More orthopedic surgeons are using orthopedic techs because it allows the doc to see more patients," said Jake Trivitt, director of material management and cast room manager at Fondren Orthopedics. "This is the day of managed care, so you have to manage your time wisely. There is definitely a need for the certified techs."

Marvette Remlinger, an orthopedic tech and licensed vocational nurse with TMC Orthopedics, said she does not think the market is too saturated with techs. "I think there is still quite a demand for someone that has a medical background, such as nursing, and a specialty in orthopedics," she said. "That is why I like working for TMC because the arrangement allows me to assist doctors. All the products are here for the convenience of the patients.

I can fit them, do all the casting and whatever the doctor directs."

TMC Orthopedics is a durable medical equipment company with a large inventory of devices and materials available for patient care. "If we didn't have the products here, the doctor would have to give the patient a prescription and send him hobbling down to some type of a brace shop," Remlinger said.

"The doctor would not be assured that his patient got the necessary treatment."

TMC also has certified orthotists that can administer a custom brace. Orthotists are professionals with training in molds that make custom braces for patients. They make anything from custom knee to back braces to orthotics for shoes. Remlinger mostly works with off-the-shelf equipment.

What are employers looking for when they are considering orthopedic techs? Trivitt has had a hand in hiring his share. During the interview process, he often watches the candidate demonstrate his cast-rolling or application-and-removal skills. But Trivitt said he looks for more than just technical skills.

"You want a person that is level headed and can get along with patients," said the veteran who got his training during his stint in the army, which began in 1952. "They need to be able to adapt to the environment. When you have patients, you want people of higher caliber."

Often, orthopedic techs assist doctors in the office as well as before, during and after surgery. Remlinger, who has started as an orthopedic tech in 1996, said the job then was strictly applying and removing casts and splints.

"The orthopedic surgeon would hire you, stick you in his cast room and you never had patient contact unless the doctor needed you to work a cast or splint," she said. "Now, orthopedic techs are doing much more.

"We're not only doing casting and splinting, but we are involved with other duties like suture removal, off-the-shelf bracing and fitting of durable medical equipment. I fit everything from a simple wrist immobilizer to a complex, hinged post-op knee brace."

Remlinger took five years off when her twins were born. She re-entered the work force about two years ago when they reached school age. "Things had changed a lot," she said. "Orthopedics is a fast growing field; technology is changing all the time. Even after being out for only five years, I had to really learn a lot of new things. I had to really learn a lot of new things. This tells me that the need for trained and experienced ortho techs will need to grow too."

Orthopedic techs have their own national professional organization, the National Association of Orthopedic Technologists, which was started as federation in 1979 in Memphis, Tenn. It became an association in 1982. In 1983, NAOT developed its first test - the National Board of Certification for Orthopedic Technologists. Since then the test was first administered in 1983, about 2,000 orthopedic techs have been certified. There are three NAOT recognized schools that specialize in the orthopedic technologist curriculum. The schools are Cook County Hospital Orthopedic Technician Training program in Chicago; Grossmont College in El Cajon, Calif., which offers a two year program that earns the student an associate degree of science and orthopedic technology; and Northern Orange County Regional Occupational Program in Anaheim Calif. Upon completion of the program, a student is eligible to take the NBCOT test.

Another avenue in the industry is for a person to work at least two years in a related field and have an orthopedic surgeon certify and declare the person qualified to take the NBCOT test.

"There are a lot of ways to get in," Trivitt said, who sits on the executive board of NAOT. "We have a lot of RN's that become orthopedic techs. In our organization, some people come from the military. It is a varied thing."

Remlinger began as a medical transcriptionist for an orthopedic surgeon and grew to love the field. She became a tech in the 1980's after she performed a three-year internship with an orthopedic surgeon and then passed the certification exam. Every six years, techs must get recertified and must have accumulated 120 continuing education units.

"We have local and state seminars here (where education programs are given) about once a year and we have a national convention every August," Trivitt said. Remlinger said she is thinking of advancing her education even further. "The only thing I regret is that I did not get any surgical training," she said. "If someone is contemplating a career like mine, you should get some surgical training or a surgical tech certification. That would be most beneficial and make you a lot more marketable."

The hours vary in the industry depending on where the orthopedic tech is working. Some work for just one doctor and if the patient load is heavy, a tech could start early in the morning and go until late in the evening. Some work in larger outfits in shifts.

"I take a person fresh out of training, who has just passed the test and pay at about $14 to $14.50 an hour," Trivitt said. "But things are changing. A lot of these guys are becoming private contractors. There are a couple of groups here in town who employ about 20 techs because their skill levels keep increasing."

Remlinger estimated entry-level orthopedic techs can earn $10 to $12 an hour. She said when training increases, a person can climb the salary ladder.

Besides making a good living, Remlinger said she loves patient interaction.

"I guess that is just the nurse in me, I am a real people person and like that part of the job, "she said. "What I like most about orthopedics is that it is a field of medicine where just about everything is fixable. "You see a patient walk out of your office when all you have seen them do is fight through braces, casts, crutches and wheelchairs."