ORTHOPEDIC TECHNOLOGY
BY CARRIE CLAY

   A huge arena filled with thousands of fans falls silent as an elite athlete’s knee gives way. A young businessman dashes across a traffic-filled street downtown, not seeing an oncoming vehicle. An active 75- year-old falls while playing tennis and twists her hip. Each of these events results in an injury to the musculoskeletal system.

These types of injuries are the specialty of orthopedic doctors, specifically orthopedic surgeons. These MDs employ a special assistant in their practice known as the Orthopedic Technician. This profession is challenging, as new technological changes are constantly being developed. The reward is seeing your work improve someone’s life.

While some private schools charge $6,000 for training in this career, imagine getting excellent training that is tuition-free! The Regional Occupational Program (ROP) is a workforce-training program that has been operating in San Diego County for over 30 years. Grossmont College ROP offers training for orthopedic technicians. There are no qualifications to enroll in most ROP classes. The ortho tech program can be completed in one year, and classes are held in the evenings. The program does have a prerequisite and offers a wide variety of clinical experiences.

The real job description of an orthopedic technologist is to provide support for the physician who is caring for injured patients. People who a minute ago were happy and healthy suddenly become trauma victims, afraid and debilitated. Duties of the orthopedic technologist range from simple cast application to fitting the perfect brace, for instance, one that can allow a high school athlete to return to his or her sport. Primary assisting in the operating room or setting up complicated traction frames is also a part of the profession of Orthopedic Technology.

Today, with a vast array of technical materials and specific methods for the use of orthopedic materials, physicians depend on specially trained orthopedic technologists to provide proper treatment for injured patients. The orthopedic technologist is an extension of the physician. Technologists are employed by hospitals, clinics, private practice offices, and surgery centers. Large trauma centers also employ ortho techs with special training in traction and fracture stabilization. Private sports medicine offices employ ortho techs to brace patients and instruct them on exercise and proper use of the devices. All of the students completing this ROP program have jobs waiting for them even before their training is complete.

The salary for such skills varies with professional ability and training. The starting salary varies between $16 and $18 per hour for a certified technician. There is a great deal of room for growth and advancement in this field, and students can look forward to a future with a very well paying job. The National Board of Certification for Orthopedic Technologists administers the certification exam. The basic requirement is the completion of a formal education program. Once this requirement is met, students qualify to take the national board exam. If successful, they earn the title of Orthopedic Technician Certified. The Grossmont College ROP program is recognized by the NBCOT (National Board Certified Orthopedic Technician) and has a solid history and broad clinical experience to offer students.

Call Grossmont College ROP to start your tuition-free training for orthopedic technology. All programs include job search instruction. Carrie Clay is associate dean, ROP, at Grossmont College. For more information, call (619) 644-7550 or visit www.grossmont.edu/rop. This program begins in August each year.