Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Technician

St. Charles Health System Inc.; Bend, Northern (OR, KY); Hybrid; USD 31,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Charles Health System in Bend, OR is seeking a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Technician to fit and remove orthopedic devices for patient care. This entry-level role does not involve supervising others.

You will educate patients on DME use, complete payer documentation, and assist with delivery to procedure rooms. Strong computer skills and teamwork are essential in a collaborative orthopedic clinic setting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Preferred: nursing assistant training or similar field.

Responsibilities

• Applies and fits durable medical equipment (DME) such as splints and orthopedic devices.
• Removes external orthopedic hardware.
• Educates patients on DME usage, care and expectations as indicated by provider.
• Ensures payer-related documentation is completed.
• Delivers DME to procedure rooms as needed.
• Directs patients in home rehabilitation exercises.
• Performs minor wound care and suture/staple removal.

Skills

Strong verbal and written comms

Teamwork

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Ability to learn new applications

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Nursing assistant training (preferred)

Tools

Word

Excel

Email

Internet search

Job description

Full Time, Days Pay range: $22.61 - $28.94 Orthopedics Clinic - Bend, OR

JOB DESCRIPTION TITLE: Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Technician

REPORTS TO POSITION: Supervisor, Orthopedic Technicians

DEPARTMENT: Orthopedics

DATE LAST REVIEWED: January 2025

OUR VISION: Creating America’s healthiest community, together

OUR MISSION: In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value

OUR VALUES: Accountability, Caring and Teamwork

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The Orthopedic, Neurosurgery & Physiatry Service Line at St. Charles Health System provides ambulatory, procedural, and inpatient care for the health system as well as within ambulatory surgery centers. This service line includes approximately 60 providers representing the full spectrum of neuromusculoskeletal care across inpatient, outpatient, ambulatory surgery centers and clinics. The team will collaborate extensively with the Bend-hospital based acute surgery and trauma team in the development, refinement and collaboration of a robust trauma program designed to meet the growing needs of the Central Oregon community.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The DME Technician is an entry-level position responsible for correctly fitting and removing splints and other orthopedic devices for patient care. This position does not directly manage any other caregivers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

• Applies and fits Durable Medical Equipment (DME) such as splints and orthopedic devices.
• Removes external orthopedic hardware.
• Provides education to patients on the application, use, care and expected outcome for DME products as indicated by the provider.
• Ensures all necessary documentation is obtained as it relates to payer requirements.
• Delivers DME to procedure room as needed.
• Directs patients in home rehabilitation exercise programs.
• Performs minor wound care and suture/staple removal.
• Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.
• Supports the Lean principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.
• Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.
• Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organization’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.
• Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient and accurate.
• May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

EDUCATION:

• Required: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Preferred: Training as nursing assistant, lab assistant, or similar field.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

• Required: Current AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider certification.
• Preferred: N/A

EXPERIENCE:

• Required: N/A
• Preferred: One (1) or more years in a position involving patient contact.
• One (1) or more years of related work experience.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:

• Strong basic computer skills (such as Word, Excel, email, internet search, etc.), ability to quickly learn new applications.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and analytical thinking.
• Ability to work well in a team.
• Ability to work well independently.
• Strong patient-relationship development skills.
• Strong organizational skills with emphasis on DME paperwork, patient communications.
• Professional demeanor and recognition of privacy considerations for patients and families.
• Cooperative work attitude toward co-workers, management, patients, physicians, and visitors.
• Regular attendance.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology and accepted abbreviations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Continually (75% or more): Standing and walking, keyboard operation, use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level. Frequently (50%): Sitting, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 1-25 pounds. The use and operation of a motor vehicle for Home Health and Wound Caregivers. Occasionally (25%): Bending, stooping/kneeling/crouching, climbing ladder/step-stool (varies by area), reaching overhead, lifting/carrying/pushing or pulling 25-50 pounds, grasping/squeezing, ability to hear whispered speech level. Rarely (10%): Climbing stairs. Never (0%): Climbing ladder/step-stool (varies by area), operation of a motor vehicle. Exposure to Elemental Factors Rarely (10%): Wet/slippery area, chemical solution. Never (0%): Heat, cold, noise, dust, vibration, uneven surface. Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category Risk for Exposure to BBP

Schedule Weekly Hours: 40 Caregiver Type: Regular Shift: First Shift (United States of America) Is Exempt Position? No Job Family: TECHNICIAN CLINICAL Scheduled Days of the Week: Shift Start & End Time: St. Charles Health System is a private, nonprofit organization, dedicated to providing high-quality care and the latest in health care technology to the communities it serves.

Headquartered in Bend, Ore., St. Charles is an integrated delivery system, with a strong focus on population health, that provides a full range of evidence-based health care services within a 32,000-square-mile area in Central and Eastern Oregon. The health system owns and operates a trauma level II, tertiary referral center in Bend, a trauma level III, type B rural hospital in Redmond, and trauma level IV critical access hospitals in both Prineville and Madras. As the largest employer in Central Oregon, St. Charles Health System and St. Charles Medical Group care for our communities in more than two dozen outpatient clinics and in more than 20 specialty areas of medicine.

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