Army MOS · Medical
68B Orthopedic Specialist
Overview
An Orthopedic Specialist assists with treating patients who have orthopedic conditions and injuries. This specialist also helps manage an orthopedic clinic under the supervision of an orthopedic physician, orthopedic physician assistant, or podiatrist.
Core Skills
- medical device operation and troubleshooting
- clinical workflow coordination
- patient intake and triage
- medical documentation and records management
- HIPAA and patient privacy practices
- inventory and supply tracking
- scheduling and appointment management
- communication with multidisciplinary teams
- attention to detail and procedural compliance
- training and mentoring junior staff
Civilian Software & Tools
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- Epic Systems
- Microsoft Office software
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- MEDITECH software
- Gait analysis software
Civilian Career Paths
- Clinical Technician
- Rehabilitation
- Administration
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Orthopaedic Technologist: Certified (OTC) · Funded · Promotion points · STAR
- Certified Prosthetic-Orthotic Assistant (CPOA)
- ABC Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO) · Funded · Promotion points
- Orthopaedic Technologist - Surgery Certified (OT-SC)
- Certified DME Specialist (CDME)
Career Growth
- Certified Fitter: Therapeutic Shoes Fitter (CFts) · Funded · Promotion points
- Certified Fitter of Orthotics (CFo)
- Certified Orthotic Assistant (COA)
- Certified Orthotic Technician (CTO)
- Certified Orthotist (CO)
What the Work Involves
- Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
- Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
- Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
- Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical records.
- Explain treatment procedures, medications, diets, or physicians' instructions to patients.
Related Occupations
- Surgical Assistants
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
- Registered Nurses
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: vocational training or an associate degree.
Equivalent Roles in Other Branches
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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