Specialist - Orthotist

The Specialist - Orthotist is a senior clinical specialist role that is responsible for providing safe and effective orthotic care to children within Sidra Medicine. The post holder assesses orthotic needs and plans, implements and evaluates orthotic/prosthetic treatment including device design, fitting, monitoring and repairs, working autonomously with minimal supervision. The Specialist - Orthotist works in collaboration with other members of the health care team and strives to provide evidence-based care by integrating research with practice. Promotes continuous improvement and helps to generate innovative ideas within orthotic practice. Maintains a commitment to life-long learning and creates, utilizes and/or disseminates new knowledge to patients and their families, the public and other professionals internal or external. The Specialist - Orthotist participates in the provision of specialized teaching and supervision of colleagues on a wide range of subjects within the clinical and professional field. The Specialist - Orthotist provides leadership and facilitates quality improvement initiatives and performance improvements activities.

KEY ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Clinical

• Acts as a senior specialist in order to provides in-patient and/or out-patient orthotic care as appropriate to patient demand.
• Provides direct and indirect clinical supervision as required to the Associate Orthotist to ensure safe clinical practice.
• Makes decisions related to a wide range of orthotic and prosthetic devices and formulates the program of patient care related to these devices.
• Undertakes specialized biomechanical assessment of patients, including those with a complex presentation (e.g. scoliosis, cerebral palsy, etc.). 
• Provides accurate measurements for orthosis at pre-operative assessment.
• Formulates an individualized orthotic or prosthetic treatment plan using a range of treatment options in order to formulate a program of care. 
• Designs and specifies appropriate custom and pre-fabricated prosthetic & orthotic devices and arranges for manufacture. 
• Takes casts or 3D scans for manufacture of appropriate orthoses/prostheses according to agreed management plan.
• Performs necessary adjustments to custom or pre-fabricated braces as required for patient comfort and function.
• Monitors patient progress and modifies treatment plans according to changing clinical outlook.
• Ensures accurate and clear paperwork is provided with all orders to enable correct manufacture in the specified time frame.
• Performs positive cast rectification where appropriate.
• Checks and ensures orthosis fulfills technical specification and quality aspects, before supplying it to the patient. 
• Demonstrates and teaches the safe use of materials/equipment to clients and/or care-takers as required.
• Ensures arrangements are made to return the orthosis to the manufacturer in case it does not meet the specification within the agreed time frame.
• Communicates effectively with patients and care-takers to ensure understanding of  orthotic conditions. 
• Interacts with patients for assessment and treatment this may include patients with e.g. special needs children, babies, patients with hearing loss or those in pain.
• Works within multidisciplinary teams when required in key areas such as diabetes, orthopedics and pediatrics.
• Takes responsibility for care and adjustment as necessary and maintenance of equipment as appropriate. 
• Maintains patient information confidentiality whether formally or informally recorded.
• Maintains compliance with all infection control and safety regulations and policies when dealing with equipment and patients. 
• Works towards the achievement of agreed key performance indicators for self and unit by ensuring staff accountability in competing required information to inform these KPI’s.   
• Contributes to the achievement of cost efficiency savings in the service and maintains an awareness of resource utilization, exercising care in the ordering and use of equipment and materials.
• Reports equipment failures, safety and security issues, and/or reduction of supply inventory.
• Leads Performance Improvement activities and committees on the service as assigned. 
• Demonstrates an understanding of evidence-based healthcare methodology and its ability to positively impact patient outcomes.
• Participates in the integration and evaluation of research into practice.
• Participates in patient education programs.
• Utilizing a professional practice framework and evidence based care, identifies quality improvement initiatives while minimizing risks, creating care that is optimal for our patients and families.

Professional Practice

• Provides documented evidence of own performance and maintenance of skills consistent with the position.  This includes a MoPH Continuing Professional Development Profile for licensure. 
• Responsible for maintaining a MoPH Continuing Professional Development Profile for licensure. 
• Responsible for maintaining up to date mandatory Life Support Training requirements as directed by MoPH and Sidra (e.g. BLS, AED etc).
• Participates in service activities that contribute to excellence in outcomes, a positive patient experience and a healthy professional environment. 
• Contributes to the achievement of clinical quality outcome indicators and patient satisfaction. 
• Leads service based Performance and Quality Improvement activities and organizational committees as assigned.
• Participates in quality improvement activities linked to strategic priorities. 
• Feeds back to Manager regularly about day-to-day operational needs (e.g. clinical service development, staffing, clinical service provision etc.).
• Participates in the continued development, implementation, and evaluation of Sidra Policy and Procedures to align with international best practices.
• Participates in new staff orientation aimed at developing competence and performance.
• Coordinates with the Manager in regards to staff absences (e.g. sick, annual, study, maternity). 
• Participates in the promotion and maintenance of effective communication and teamwork. Treats colleagues, patients, and visitors with dignity and respect at all times.
• Responsible for completing supervision agreements, readiness for supervision sessions and maintaining accurate supervision records. 
• Follows all organizational policies and procedures.
• Adheres to Sidra’s standards as they appear in the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policies
• Adheres to and promotes Sidra’s Values

In view of the evolving needs and opportunities within Sidra, this position may be required to perform other duties as assigned and reporting relationships may vary.

• 5+ year’s clinical experience as an Orthotist with clinical expertise across the competencies of the profession.
• Demonstrated experience in pediatric care.

• Licensure in country of origin
• Eligible to be licensed in State of Qatar

• Demonstrated ability to apply and integrate knowledge and skills into practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge of anatomy and neurology.
• Demonstrated manual dexterity and speed to ensure accurate measurements are taken, especially in infants. 
• Excellent teaching, mentoring or counselling skills.
• Ability to design and implement interventions to meet individual patient and family needs.
• Ability to function as a collaborative member of the interdisciplinary team and communicate and advocate for patient/family needs within this team
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite
• Fluency in written and spoken English