Pedorthist

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

3/1/2021

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

900014

Job Title:

Pedorthist

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

The Pedorthist is responsible for the provision of professional orthotic treatment for both inpatient and ambulatory patients.  At this level, the incumbent is proficient in evaluating patients with physical disabilities, disease or deformity for appropriate orthotic treatment.  In consultation with other orthotists, medical staff, residents, and therapists, the Pedorthist determines optimal treatment plan and selects appropriate foot orthoses and pedorthic footwear.  The incumbent is responsible for and/or oversight of the design, fabrication fitting and modification of foot orthoses and pedorthic footwear.  These orthoses are used to treat injuries, diseases and defects that impair the nervous or musculoskeletal systems.

This is an independent position responsible for working on a variety of cases with minimal supervision.  This position requires innovation and creativity in solving problems.  Problems encountered are moderate in complexity.  Contact with patients may be initiated by family, patient, caregiver, nurse or therapist, but is only pursued by physician prescription.  This position requires verbal and written communication with families, nurses, therapists, physicians, residents and students.  Organization of patient care scheduling, coordinating and follow-up on a large caseload is extensive and essential.

The incumbent has access to and knowledge of the confidential medical history of patients treated.  The incumbent is knowledgeable in procedures to assure confidentiality of patient information.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

•

Evaluates patients with physical disabilities, disease or deformity for appropriate orthotic treatment.

•

Consults when necessary with medical staff, residents, therapists, and Orthotists on optimal treatment plan.

•

Select appropriate orthosis.
o Prefabricated Orthoses
 Takes appropriate measurements.
 Fitting and adjustment of orthosis.
 Evaluation of function.
 Instruction on use.
 Follow-up care.
o Custom Made Orthoses
 Takes measurements and plaster impression needed for fabrication of orthotic device.
 Skillfully applies knowledge of tools and machines in the Orthotics and Prosthetics Laboratory to fabricate the orthosis. This includes model modification, component selection and fitting, vacu-forming, and finishing processing.
 Finishes orthosis for fitting or instructs and guides technician to do so.
 Performs fitting and delivery of orthosis to patient with Orthotist input as appropriate.
 Instructs patient and/or family on proper use and care of orthosis and goals of treatment with Orthotist input as appropriate
 Provides follow-up care with modification and repair as needed.

•

Attends continuing education conferences and shares information with other Orthotic Laboratory staff and medical therapeutic staff.

•

Maintains supply of orthoses and components.

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

X

Clinical

Will provide all patients age and culturally appropriate assessment/screening and interpretation of clinical and laboratory data. Develops and implements age appropriate interventional plans of care including education within the parameters of their position responsibilities and licensure

JOB REQUIREMENTS

High School Diploma

or equivalent

Required

Bachelor's Degree

in a clinical science, biological science, or related field

Preferred

Experience in a healthcare setting

Required

2 years

experience as a Pedorthist

Preferred

Certification by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) as a Certified Pedorthist

Upon Hire

Required

or

Ability to obtain certification

within 1 Year

Required

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

•

Knowledge of and ability to assist in evaluation of foot orthotic needs on a diverse patient population.

•

Knowledge of and ability to fit foot orthoses, UCBLs, shoes, custom shoes, and SMOs.

•

Knowledge of disabilities and diseases related to pedorthics.

•

Skill in casting and model modification techniques.

•

Skill in fabrication of custom foot orthoses including vacu-forming, plaster modification, power tool usage etc.

•

Verbal and written communication skills with patients and staff.

•

Ability to instruct and provide direction to other healthcare workers.

•

Ability to manage a large patient caseload.

•

Ability to work collaboratively and participate in a team approach.

•

Tolerance to acute care setting.

•

Tolerance to a machine shop setting

•

Knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric age groups.

•

Knowledge of the principles of growth and development for the pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric age groups and ability to provide the care needed as described in Orthotics and Prosthetics policies and procedures.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

☐

Sedentary: Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10#

Negligible

Negligible

☐

Light: Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all of these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that they can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

up to 20#

Up to 10# or requires significant walking or standing or requires pushing/pulling of arm/leg controls.

Negligible or constant push/pull of items of negligible weight

☒

Medium: Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. If someone can do medium work, we determine that they can also do sedentary and light work.

20-50#

10-25#

Negligible-10#

☐

Heavy: Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. If someone can do heavy work, we determine that they can also do medium, light, and sedentary work.

50-100#

25-50#

10-20#

☐

Very Heavy: Very heavy work involves lifting objects weighing more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more. If someone can do very heavy work, we determine that they can also do heavy, medium, light, and sedentary work.

Over 100#

Over 50#

Over 20#

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.