ORTHOPAEDIC TECHNOLOGY

Grossmont College
8800 Grossmont Drive
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 644-7550

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Description of the Program Certification Employment Opportunities Program Recognition List of Courses Associate Degree Major Requirements: Core Curriculum
Certificate of Achievement
Program Costs Faculty: Full Time
Adjunct

Description of the Program

Orthopaedic Technologists are allied health professionals who assist Orthopaedic Surgeons in the treatment of patients in a variety of health care environments. They are employed in hospitals, clinics and private practice offices.

Orthopaedic Technologists apply, adjust and/or remove casts, splints and braces. They also set up, adjust and maintain traction configurations, assist with the care of acutely injured patients and assist the physician in the reduction and/or manipulation of orthopaedic injuries.

The one-year program is designed to provide Orthopaedic Technology graduates with lifetime professional skills in a rapidly expanding allied health field.

Certification

Successful completion of the Orthopaedic Technology program leads to a certificate from ROP and eligibility for NBCOT certification examination. Students who successfully complete the program for college credit are eligible for an Associate in Science degree from Grossmont College if general education requirements are also met. Refer to current college catalog for specifics. This program is the first Orthopaedic Technology program to be officially recognized by the National Association of Orthopedic Technologists (NAOT).

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Orthopaedic Technology program at Grossmont College who successfully pass the NBCOT national certification exam are employable throughout the country. Job market information and Job Placement instruction is included in each ROP program. In addition, all ROP students have access to Job Placement services.

Career Opportunities

	Orthopaedic Assistant	Orthotic Assistant
	Orthopaedic Cast Specialist	Orthotics-Prosthetics Assistant
	Orthopaedic Technologist/Assistant	Orthotist*
	Orthopaedic Surgeon*	Podiatrist*
	Orthopaedic Surgeon*	Prosthetics Assistant
		Prosthetist*
* Bachelor Degree or Higher Required

Program Recognition

Grossmont College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and is a member of the American Association of Junior Colleges, the California Junior College Association, and the National Commission on Accrediting. Appropriate courses are fully accepted on transfer by the University of California, The California State College system, and by private four-year colleges and universities.

Grossmont College's Orthopaedic Technology program is the first in the country to be awarded NAOT-Recognized status by the National Association of Orthopaedic Technologists. Students who graduate from an NAOT-Recognized program are immediately eligible to take the NBCOT certification examination.

List of Courses

Associate Degree Major Requirements

Prerequisite: Admission to the program, physical and dental examinations, record of current immunizations, current CPR card and evidence of malpractice insurance.

Core Curriculum

Subject & Number	Title	Units
OT 110	Orthopaedic Anatomy and Physiology	5
OT 111	Orthopaedic Techniques I	4
OT 210	Advanced Orthopaedic Anatomy and Physiology	5
0T 211	Orthopaedic Techniques II	4
0T 212	Supervised Hospital Clinical Practicum I	2
OT 214	Supervised Hospital Clinical Practicum II	4
	TOTAL REQUIRED:	24
Associate in Science Degree requires additoional units in general education and electives.

Certificate of Achievement

Any student who chooses to complete only the courses required for the above major qualifies for a certificate in Orthopaedic Technology. An official request must be filled with the Admissions and Records Office prior to the deadline as stated in the Academic Calendar.

Program Costs

The six-course, 24-unit core curriculum for the Orthopaedic Technology Program is funded by the Regional Occupational Program (ROP) of the San Diego County Office of Education, ROP provides tuition-free non-credit classroom/laboratory education. If college credit is desired, enrollment and health fees must be paid to the college. (Refer to current class schedule for enrollment fees.) Student expenses include textbooks, lab coats and NBCOT exam registration fee. A parking fee will be charged to all students using the parking facilities.

Faculty:

Director:

Rick Kirby, Director

Instructor:

Tom Byrne, Instructor

Secretary:

Kelly Clarke

E-mail: Kelly Clark@gcccd.net

Prerequisites

Completion of a college level course in Human Anatomy or Anatomy/Physiology (with a grade of "C" or better) is required for application to the program. Prerequisite course work must have included a lab and must have been taken at an institution accredited by the Association of Schools and Colleges.

Grossmont College Biology 144 (Anatomy and Physiology I )or Biology 140 (Human Anatomy) are acceptable prerequisites. For information on equivalent courses at other colleges in the San Diego area, contact the ROP Office (644-7550).

Prerequisites must be documented by an official transcript.

Application and Admission Process

To apply for admission to the Orthopaedic Technology Program, the following steps must be taken:

		Complete the following Prerequisite Course (or equivalent) with a grade of "C" or better prior to admission to the program:
		Biology 144; Anatomy and Physiology I; 4 Units OR

		Biology 140; Human Anatomy; 5 Units
		Submit an official transcript showing completion of prerequisite course to the Grossmont College ROP Office.
		Complete an ROP application for admission to the Orthopaedic Technology Program and file it with the Grossmont College ROP Office.
		Attend the orientation. You will receive notification of the orientation in late summer. The annual program cycle runs from August through July.

Admission and enrollment takes place through ROP. College credit status is attained by paying enrollment fees to the college after admission into the program.

Student selection is based on completion of prerequisite course work and date of application. Students admitted to the program must submit a satisfactory physical and dental examination report of current immunizations and current CPR card and evidence of malpractice insurance prior to the clinical practicum.

Sequence of Courses

All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

1. Prerequisites

		Biology 144; Anatomy and Physiology I; 4 Units OR
		Biology 140; Human Anatomy; 5 Units
		Submit an official transcript showing completion of prerequisite course to the Grossmont College ROP Office.
		Complete an ROP application for admission to the Orthopaedic Technology Program and file it with the Grossmont College ROP Office.

2. Orthopaedic Technology Major Courses

Fall Semester	Title	Units
OT 110	Orthopaedic Anatomy and Physiology	5
OT 111	Orthopaedic Techniques I	4
Spring Semester	Title
OT 210	Advanced Orthopaedic Anatomy and Physiology	5
0T 211	Orthopaedic Techniques II	4
0T 212	Supervised Hospital Clinical Practicum I	2
Summer Semester	Title
OT 214	Supervised Hospital Clinical Practicum II	4

Description of Courses

	OT 110 - Orthopaedic Anatomy and Physiology - A study of the development of the muscular-skeletal systems with the emphasis divided between gross anatomy, the cellular detail (Histology) of tissues, arterial and venous perfusion, as well as relevant nervous innervation of these systems as they relate to the treatment of orthopaedic injuries.
	OT 111- Orthopaedic Techniques I - An introduction to cast room protocols, including instrumentations, casting techniques, and the assessment and treatment of casting problems. This course will include the application of casting techniques in the laboratory situation.
	OT 199 - Special Studies or Projects in Orthopaedic Technology - Individual study, research or projects in the field of orthopaedic technology under instructor guidance. Written reports and periodic conferences required. Content and unit credit to be determined by student/instructor conferences and/or division. May be repeated for a maximum of nine units.
	OT 210 - Advanced Orthopaedic Anatomy and Physiology - An in-depth study of the development of the muscular-skeletal systems with the emphasis divided between gross anatomy, the cellular detail (Histology) of tissues, arterial and venous perfusion, as well as relevant nervous innervation of these systems. In addition, the student will apply this content to actual patient situations by managing hypothetical patients from patient scenarios in a written format.
	OT 211 - Orthopaedic Techniques II - A continuation of cast room protocols, including instrumentation, casting techniques, and the assessment and treatment of casting problems. Emphasis will be plaaced on the application of special casts, pediatric casts, body casts and various traction configurations and techniques.
	OT 212 - Supervised Hospital Practicum I - Orthopaedic procedures and techniques are rehearsed and practiced in a patient-hospital environment under direct instructor supervision. The student will demonstrate clinical orthopaedic competencies on hospital-based patients.
	OT 214 - Supervised Hospital Clinical Practicum II - Under limited instructor supervision, the student will apply casts anad access cast related problems, assist in the reduction of fractures, apply and maintain traction configurations, assist the orthopaedic surgeon in minor and major surgical procedures, and perform body casting and special orthopaedic procedures.
	OT 299 - Selected topics in Orthopaedic Technology - Selected topics in orthopaedic technology not covered by regular catalog offerings. Course content aand unit credit to be determined by the Division of Business and Professional Studies in relation to community/student need(s) and/or available staaff. Maya be offered as a seminar, lecture, or lecture/laboratory class.


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