Position Summary
A pedorthic patient has injury to the foot, neuromuscular and musculoskeletal foot disorder, pedal deformity, recurrent foot ulceration, osteoarthropathy, arthropathy, neuropathy or similar condition, or partial or total absence of a foot due to a congenital condition or amputation and needs orthotic footwear, a prosthesis, orthosis or associated items to correct, support or compensate for the disorder or acquired condition, and in acute cases to mitigate against potential limb loss.
The Certified Pedorthist is specifically trained and educated to independently provide or supervise the provision of comprehensive pedorthic care. This includes patient assessment, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, follow-up and practice management.
Pedorthics combines a unique blend of clinical and technical skills. Pedorthists evaluate patients and custom design, fabricate and fit shoes, prostheses and orthoses. They work with other members of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team and help change a patient’s life.
The clinical skills and technical knowledge required to accomplish pedorthic tasks are extensive, complex, and sophisticated. Proper care requires not only extensive training in the field, but also a comprehensive understanding of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and kinesiology – in short, how the body’s components operate and interrelate.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with physicians in the evaluation and analysis of a patient’s need for pedorthic services; recommend treatment options to physicians when necessary.
- Examine and evaluate patient’s needs in relation to disease and functional loss.
- Formulates design of orthotic devices.
- Selects materials, makes cast measurements, model modifications, and layouts, taking into account new techniques and materials.
- Performs fitting, including static and dynamic alignments.
- Evaluate orthotic device and any collateral prosthetic or orthotic devices on patient, adjust to assure fit, function, medical efficacy, and quality of work.
- Instructs patient in the use of orthotic or prosthetic devices utilized in fulfilling the patient’s needs.
- Identify and reconcile issues/problems to ensure patient satisfaction with provided devices.
- Provide follow-up with patients and physicians.
- Provide in-service training to physicians and allied health care professionals.
- Utilize effective materials management, quality and performance processes to maximize device quality and medical efficacy, maintaining a proper balance with costs and operational/financial performance.
- Meet with physicians, case managers and other referral sources to review orthotic services and capabilities; develop and enhance business relationships to identify and secure ongoing and future sources or referrals.
- Responsible with manager to plan and implement strategies to meet and exceed revenue targets.
- Provide detailed clinical notes to patient records.
Additional Responsibilities: * May mentor residents or newly certified Pedorthists.
- Provide assistance to other clinical staff.
- Provide information to administrative staff to conduct reimbursement activities.
- Adhere to all safety regulations; compliance with Medicare and other governmental regulations; compliance with bloodborne and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements.
- Perform other duties or special projects as assigned.
Required Skills & Abilities: * Thorough understanding of the principles of biomechanics, pathomechanics, gait analysis, kinesiology, anatomy and physiology, and knowledge of functional and accommodative devices, braces and orthoses for offloading the foot.
- Thorough understanding of componentry and its suitability and reliability for specific uses.
- Thorough understanding of medical terminology.
- Effective communication skills for accurate, concise, and organized oral and written presentation and reports to patients and staff.
- Ability to instruct clinical and non-clinical personnel and customers on objectives of patient care services.
- Active listening, reading and comprehension skills for analyzing reports, charts and correspondence.
- Ability to assess patient condition and advise physician on treatment options.
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to build professional relationships with physicians, therapists and patients.
- Ability to work effectively as a team member.
- Effective organizational, time management and planning skills.
Physical Requirements: * Ability to lift patients using biomedical techniques frequently throughout the course of a work day/shift; must be capable of easily lifting fifty (50) pounds of weight alone.
- Ability to walk, bend, stand and reach constantly during a work day.
- Visual acuity (near and distant) sufficient to understand and give directions.
- Ability to push wheeled equipment throughout facility.
- Fine motor skills adequate for scheduling and preparing patients, equipment and supplies for treatment.
- Ability to participate in sustained activities for many hours in duration in accordance with state labor laws.
Required Credentials: * A baccalaureate degree in orthotics and prosthetics or
- A baccalaureate degree in any major and a pedorthic certificate form a CAAHEP accredited program and a 12-month National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) accredited residency program.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience to meet board eligibility
- Current board certification or board eligible in Pedorthics (i.e. American Board Certified (ABC)).
- Demonstrated past experience in providing pedorthic services under the supervision of a certified practitioner.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $26,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid training
Medical specialties:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: One location