Orthopedic Technician

This program of study will provide students with in-depth knowledge and skills necessary to work as an orthopedic technician. Skills include immobilization, traction, casting, splitting, and assisting physicians with orthopedic care. The program of study requires all applicants to complete biology 125 with a grade of C or better, and passing of the reading and math assessment tests scoring above Reading 043 and English 035 prior to application. Following acceptance into the Orthopedic Technician program, the students will complete four core orthopedic courses. In total the program of study is 19 units. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a Certificate of Achievement and be eligible to take national certification through the National Board of Certified Orthopedic Technicians (NBCOT).

Dept. Name/# Name Annual Sections Annual Enrollment BIOL 125 Human Anatomy 22 507 ORTH 040 Intro to Orthopedic Technology 2 48 ORTH 050 Orthopedic Tech Health Assessment 2 48 ORTH 060 Orthopedic Technician Modalities 2 48 ORTH 070 Orthopedic Technician Practicum 2 48 Expectations: There will be 48 certificates awarded per program cycle

Program Goals: The purpose of the Orthopedic Technician program is to provide students to be trained to work as an orthopedic technician by providing students with the in-depth knowledge and skills necessary to work as an orthopedic technician. Skills include immobilization, traction, casting, splitting, and assisting physicians with orthopedic care. Program Objectives: The specific objectives of this certificate is to provide students with the knowledge and training needed to function as an orthopedic technician within the field of orthopedic medicine in the clinical setting and/ or hospital setting.

To acquire the Certificate of Achievement in the Orthopedic Technician Program it is necessary to complete the following courses and proposed sequence : Dept. Name/# Name Units Sequence BIOL 125 Human Anatomy 4 Yr 1, Summer ORTH 040 Intro to Orthopedic Technology 4 Yr 1, Fall ORTH 050 Orthopedic Tech Health Assessment 3 Yr 1, Fall ORTH 060 Orthopedic Technician Modalities 4 Yr 1, Spring ORTH 070 Orthopedic Technician Practicum 4 Yr 1, Spring

Rio Hondo College currently has an exemplary program in Nursing, offering several avenues for student to gain employment in the health sector from Home Health Aide to Registered Nursing. Currently, there is not another program on campus which focuses on the field of orthopedics. This certificate for Orthopedic Technician will give the student yet another option for employment in the health field.

Currently, there are no Orthopedic Technician programs in the region. There are two community colleges in California that have Orthopedic Technician programs – Grossmont College in El Cajon (San Diego region), and West Valley College in Saratoga (Bay region)

Program designed for two cohorts of 24 students each Total 48 Students