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“Take the first step – choose the best place to start
your career”
The Prosthetic and Orthotic Department was established in
1990 and provides both Prosthetic and Orthotic services to a wide variety of
patient groups. The department has a staffing profile of 4.75 EFT which is
comprised of 4 full-time Prosthetist/Orthotists and a part-time technician. The
department has an excellent reputation and is dedicated to providing a high
level of service to its patients.
Mission
The Prosthetic and Orthotic Department is innovative and creative
in its design of prosthetic and orthotic devices. We strive to provide
high quality prosthetic and orthotic services for both inpatients and
outpatients of St. Vincent's Health.
Objectives
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To participate in the
formulation of a treatment plan for each patient.
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To design the prosthesis or
orthosis which best suits each patient's needs.
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To fabricate and provide
prostheses and orthoses.
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To monitor the fit and alignment
of prostheses and orthoses and adjust, maintain and repair as necessary.
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To participate in ward rounds,
clinics and meetings
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To undertake quality improvement
activities to maintain optimal quality of care for all patients.
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To provide appropriate
professional and personal development for staff of the department.
Areas
of Service
The
Prosthetic and Orthotic (P&O) Department at St. Vincent’s
Hospital, Melbourne (SVHM) provides prosthetic and orthotic services to patients
with many different pathologies.
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In most instances an orthosis
(brace) or limb prosthesis (artificial limb) is provided.
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Assessment of individual patient
needs is conducted.
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Prostheses and orthoses are
prescribed to meet individual patient needs.
-
Devices are either manufactured
within the P&O Department or are sourced elsewhere.
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Information and education about
the device is included in all treatment.
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Consultation with other medical
and allied health professionals is undertaken.
-
Services are generally provided
at the SVHM Fitzroy campus, however P&O Department staff attend other
facilities when necessary and also conduct occasional home visits.
The
following prosthetic and orthotic services are provided:
The prosthetic service includes:
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Immediate post-operative care
for amputees undergoing prosthetic rehabilitation, including:
- the application of interim
(temporary) limb prostheses and removable rigid dressing
- management of all levels of limb
amputation.
-
Management of a Victorian
Artificial Limb Program (VALP) fund and prescription clinic for definitive
limb prostheses.
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Provision of treatment for
amputees requiring definitive limb prostheses
- who are classified as ‘VALP
special needs patients
- who are non-VALP funded
The orthotic service includes:
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Treatment for acute and chronic
neuromuscular and musculoskeletal conditions affecting the lower limbs,
feet, upper limbs, hands, cervical spine, thoracic spine and lumbosacral
spine.
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The provision of orthoses
including any type of:
- applied prefabricated orthosis,
eg: soft collars, corsets.
- custom fitted prefabricated
orthosis, including Halo-thoracic traction.
- custom made orthosis (excluding
paediatric corrective spinal orthoses).
- footwear modifications including
flares, floats, build-ups, and wedges.
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Consultation to Polio Services
Victoria and service provision to some PSV patients.
Graduate
Prosthetic and Orthotic Program
Overview of
Graduate Prosthetic and Orthotic Program
The
Graduate Prosthetic and Orthotic Program commenced in July 2001.
The
aim of our Graduate Prosthetic and Orthotic Program is to provide graduate
clinicians with extensive experience in all aspects of prosthetics and
orthotics. Every year a graduate of
prosthetics and orthotics is selected to join our department for one year. The
position involves providing an orthotic service to the inpatient building.
Rotations onto the Rehabilitation Care Centre, Outpatients and Polio Services of
Victoria are also part of the program. At the end of the one-year contract
graduates will have been exposed to a broad variety or prosthetic and orthotic
practises which provides an excellent foundation for future career
opportunities.
Key
Components
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Full
time (40hours/per week)
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One
Year Contract
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Responsible
for inpatient care
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Rotations
onto other care centres during the year
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Regular
appraisals to provide feedback
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Participation
in department quality activities
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Participation
in professional development
Research
& Quality Improvement
The Prosthetic and Orthotic Department actively
supports research and quality improvement. Quality improvement is incorporated
into all aspects of prosthetic and orthotic care at St. Vincent’s Health and
the department regularly participates in quality activities.
Our research interests include:
- Ground Reaction Ankle Foot Orthoses
- Ankle Stability in conjunction with functional
benefit
Links
Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA):
www.aopa.org.au
National Centre for Prosthetics & Orthotics
www.latrobe.edu.au/ncpo
Location
and Contact Details
Location:
Ground Floor Bolte Wing,
Nicholson St, Fitzroy
Mailing
address:
Prosthetics & Orthotics Department
St. Vincent's Hospital
PO Box 2900 Fitzroy Vic 3065
Phone: 9288 3836
Hours: Monday
to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Further
enquiries about the graduate program can be made to the Chief Prosthetist/Orthotist
on
9288 3838.
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