LPN to orthopaedic technician

CLPNA · Mar 22, 2011

Have you read the article in CLPNA's CARE Magazine about

Orthopedic Specialist LPNs (Ortho LPNs)?

It gives a good description of the role and the education required for the specialty.

It's on page 24 of the Fall 2009 issue.

Cziegler, LPN · Oct 3, 2011

I am currently an LPN, and I have taken the course work that is needed to become an Ortho Tech, the classes are not too hard, kind of challenging, there is lots to learn, but it is very good knowledge, you take your first class in anatomy and physiology, and the other one is one pathology and related nursing interventions, as well as trauma and rheumatology, as well as how to order and interpret x rays and do casting, splinting, etc. you need to make sure you are aware that you get a whole new scope of practice, and you leave your previous scope behind completely, like you wont even be able to give tylenol. you will order and interpret x rays and apply orthopedic devices to patients in a cast clinic or emergency. the pay is much better, starting at 29, and going up to 39.82 i believe. good pay, but you have to like your scope of practice. you do get much more autonomy and pride that you are very specialized and know a lot about MSK stuff. the ortho techs that I know are smarter then the GP they work along side with in emerg in regards to diagnosing and treating MSK issues. hope this answers your question.

flyingchange · Oct 3, 2011

I work with some ortho techs in the ER. They are indispensable - they know so much and they often order x-rays before the MD sees the patient. In our ER they don't have a patient assignment so they are free to just do their thing.

Fiona59 · Oct 3, 2011

I am currently an LPN, and I have taken the course work that is needed to become an Ortho Tech, the classes are not too hard, kind of challenging, there is lots to learn, but it is very good knowledge, you take your first class in anatomy and physiology, and the other one is one pathology and related nursing interventions, as well as trauma and rheumatology, as well as how to order and interpret x rays and do casting, splinting, etc. you need to make sure you are aware that you get a whole new scope of practice, and you leave your previous scope behind completely, like you wont even be able to give tylenol. you will order and interpret x rays and apply orthopedic devices to patients in a cast clinic or emergency. the pay is much better, starting at 29, and going up to 39.82 i believe. good pay, but you have to like your scope of practice. you do get much more autonomy and pride that you are very specialized and know a lot about MSK stuff. the ortho techs that I know are smarter then the GP they work along side with in emerg in regards to diagnosing and treating MSK issues. hope this answers your question.

You've got to be covered under the HSAA contract to get that hourly rate. There are a few Ortho Tech jobs that fall under AUPE and they make roughly the same as an OR Tech.

So watch out for who is employing you and what contract you're working under.

Hhodinski · Feb 26, 2012

Ummm LOTS of Ortho tech jobs are offered throu AUPE!!!!!! And she is right about the pay, you start at like 30 dollars an hour and go up to forty an hour. The Royal Alex Hospital and The University Hospital hire Ortho techs ALL the time and are throu AUPE, I havent seen an Ortho tech job here in Alberta yet that hasnt been throu AUPE so i have no idea what the person above is talking about saying that there are "few", I am one and there are LOTS!!!!! And you DO NOT make what an OR tech makes, you make 30-40, just go to alberta health services and you will see all the ortho tech jobs that are avail and EVERY job on alberta health services for ortho tech is by AUPE so dont even listen to that other person, they prob just dont want you to become an ortho

Fiona59 · Feb 26, 2012

Ummm LOTS of Ortho tech jobs are offered throu AUPE!!!!!! And she is right about the pay, you start at like 30 dollars an hour and go up to forty an hour. The Royal Alex Hospital and The University Hospital hire Ortho techs ALL the time and are throu AUPE, I havent seen an Ortho tech job here in Alberta yet that hasnt been throu AUPE so i have no idea what the person above is talking about saying that there are "few", I am one and there are LOTS!!!!! And you DO NOT make what an OR tech makes, you make 30-40, just go to alberta health services and you will see all the ortho tech jobs that are avail and EVERY job on alberta health services for ortho tech is by AUPE so dont even listen to that other person, they prob just dont want you to become an ortho

We read your comment at work last night and wanted to say a couple of thing.

Using your real name on a forum is either incredibly brave or naive. We checked you on the LPN registration site and your specialty tag isn't listed against your license. You might want to get CLPNA on that.

I work with one of your classmates and she says Hi.

Thanks for bringing a dead thread to life after nearly a year.

I stand by every word I said at the time. The AUPE contract only brought the majority of Ortho Techs up to HSAA parity fairly recenlty. From older coworkers and what an Ortho Tech told us it was all smoke and mirrors and went back to the Camsell and their on the job training of OR and Ortho Techs. RAH inherited OR Techs from the Camsell who had no qualifications and wound up being the most expensive porters ever. A coworker back in 2008 looked into doing the Ortho Tech course and he said it wasn't worth the effort for the small wage increase. The positions at the time when posteded were strangely worded about "certified" v. "non-certified" Techs. Now CLPNA is funding the education so it really isn't a huge investment for any LPN who wants to go that route.

AUPE realized they were going to have to bring the OrthoTechs up to parity with the HSAA Ortho Tech or risk huge problems. They are also going to have to do something for the Dialysis Techs and OR Techs who do only make slightly over a $1/hour for their skill set. They care for exactly the same patients and perform every role the RN does apart from Charge.

You might want to consider changing your user name to "cast cutter" or something because using your real name in posts like yours isn't going to win you any friends in the workplace.

Teh_Alchemist · Apr 27, 2012

Do u wrk in Calgary? I am wondering if you Fiona59 or anyone here have taken the ortho tech course for LPN through northquest, how did it go and is there a lot of job demand in Calgary?

Btw, I'm an Lpn student and I'll be graduating soon. I am thinkin of taking ortho tech course for lpns.

Fiona59 · Apr 27, 2012

I know a couple of Ortho Techs who are old enough to have been on the job trained and a couple who went through Norquest. If you enjoy self study it's a good course.

Jobs are kind of cyclical. A few were hired when NorthEast Health opened. There really isn't a constant demand on the AHS website. There are usually casuals hired but permant full time positions aren't that frequent. Work it out, Ortho Techs work in Emerg rooms mainly and how many do they need to cover the shifts. Find one on your practicuums and talk to them.

Where someone gets the idea that they are hired "all the time" is beyond me. I've been in the Capital Health/AHS system for over a decade and there hasn't been a constant demand for them. If anything there are a lot of postings for Dialysis and OR Techs.

Calgary might have more demand, you are closer to the ski slopes than we are!

Teh_Alchemist · May 6, 2012

Thanks for ur reply. I don't enjoy self study but I don't mind doin tht. I checked healthjobs.ab.ca few times but rarely find any ortho tech job posting. I am going to keep looking.

Teh_Alchemist · Jun 17, 2012

I heard there is a prerequisite to take orthopaedic course for LPN, which is 10,000 hours of experience in either longterm or hospital but do not quote me on this one. I also heard that there are more job than posted. If I get more info, I'll share.

way2broken · May 13, 2013

found this on the web site:

This program consists of 3 parts and the theory is self study and can be taken by distance and is continuous intake. The exams can be sent to an approved proctor in your facility. The requirements for admission:

- currently working on acute surgical floor, preferably on an Ortho ward or Emergency dept for a minimum 1600hrs to 2 years.

- An active nursing reg in good standing

- Formal interview with instructor

Applicants must also be in good health, referring to physical ability to push, pull and lift 50lbs or greater and above average English skills

Component 1 is a 20 week self study including a review of anatomical planes and direction, osteology, skeletal system, joint and movement, skeletal muscles, nervous and cardiovascular systems.Understanding the specifics of these systems and how they relate to each other assists the LPN when doing a full orthopaedic assessment of a patient.

Component 2 is a theory based comprehensive look at orthopaedic terminology, musculoskeletal pathology, orthopaedic assessment, immobility and ambulation, trauma, upper and lower extremity injuries, pediatrics, diagnostic procedures and orthopaedic devices including casting and traction.

]Component 3 is a focus on the development of knowledge and skills. There is a 5 day mandatory workshop to give each student a “hands on” opportunity with orthopaedic assessments, procedures, radiology, casting / splinting and traction. Following the workshop, the students are required to do a full-time 300 hour graded practicum in both a cast room and emergency department setting.

There are 2 exams and an assignment per course. On line version is coming out in Sept 2013 with videos and more trauma.

Looks great