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LPN Orthopaedic Certificate

Designed for those who already hold an LPN practicing licence, this program provides the advanced knowledge and skills for an orthopaedic career working directly with nurse practitioners and medical practitioners.  

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Nurse applying cast to leg

Campus

  • Penticton
  • Distance
View schedule and campus details
Legend:
  • Full program offered
  • Partial program offered

Credential

Certificate

Delivery options

Full-Time

Tuition and fees

2024-25: $8,086.40

Program details

This 635-hour certificate provides Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) with advanced knowledge and skills for an orthopaedic career working directly with nurse practitioners and medical practitioners.

Students will further their LPN training of anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology in relation to orthopaedics in acute, trauma, and post-surgical settings. LPN skills will be enhanced to become competent in orthopaedic radiology, assessments, application and removal of casts, splints and braces. This program covers specialized orthopaedic procedures, including wound care, operating and adjusting traction equipment, and patient-care teaching specific to orthopaedics.

This program provides a balance of both theory and hands-on experience. During the practicum, students will perform casting and splinting techniques, fit orthopaedic devices, and other duties performed in three areas of practice (cast clinic, ambulatory care units, and emergency rooms).

Image of LPN Orthopaedic instructor Jim Fishley

 

Jim Fishley has been nurse for 28 years and an Orthopaedic Technician for over 20 years. He currently works at Vernon Jubilee Hospital but has also worked at Kelowna General Hospital. Jim primarily works out of the MT in the Emergency department. This career has been very rewarding for Jim as it allows him the ability to provide the best quality service as an Orthopaedic Technician to the public. Jim looks forward to embarking this journey with the students of OC’s LPN Orthopaedic Certificate program as an instructor and program developer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Online. Asynchronous. Practicum face to face. When filling out your application, choose Continuing Studies as the faculty.

Campus Start date Schedule
Distance Mar. 2025

Online Asynchronous, practicum face to face.

Penticton Sep. 29, 2025

Online Asynchronous, practicum face to face.

Admission requirements

Admission Requirements:

  • Active practicing license with respective provincial professional body (LPN).
  • Proof of a minimum of two years, full-time equivalent, acute care experience.
  • Provide a written agreement of a practicum placement by an orthopaedic unit manager.
  • Current CPR Level C (This must be maintained throughout the program.).
  • Either a current Red Cross Standard First Aid or St. John Ambulance Standard First Aid (This must be maintained throughout the program.).
  • A criminal record check clearance from the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General's Criminal Records Review Office. мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College's admission offices will provide applicants with instructions and forms for applicants to submit to the Solicitor General's Office and a deadline for the College to receive the clearance letter. Applicants should only initiate their criminal record check when instructed by Admissions. Failure to provide a clearance letter by the deadline will result in a cancellation of the applicant's admission application.
  • Proof of one of the following:
    • Wound-care competency (written letter from a clinical manager)
    • Wound-care training within the last two years

Program Requirements:

  • Results of tuberculin testing done no more than six months before the date of application, with evidence of appropriate follow up if the test was positive.
  • Up-to-date Immunization Record based on vaccinations listed below. Please provide a photocopy of your completed immunization record; this record will be kept in your student file. Applicants are advised that, if they choose not to complete this recommended immunization schedule, any outbreak of an infectious disease can have serious implications for their practice experience because of a requirement by the Health Authority that all those not immunized remain outside of the practice area.
    1. Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoid (Td) - Booster doses of Td are recommended every 10 years, or as a minimum at least once during adult life.
    2. Measles Vaccine - If born between 1957 and 1970, you should have proof of two live measles vaccinations, documentation of physician-diagnosed measles or laboratory evidence of immunity. If you already received one dose of measles vaccine, a second dose of vaccine is recommended and is given as Measles Mumps (MMR) vaccine.
    3. Polio Vaccine - Primary immunization with inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV) is indicated for all who have not had a primary course of poliovirus vaccine (OPV or IPV). If you have not been given a full primary course, you should have the series completed with IPV regardless of the interval since the last dose. Booster doses of IPV are not required in Canada.
    4. Rubella Vaccine - If you do not have documented immunity as described above under Measles, you should be vaccinated with MMR, unless there are contraindications.
    5. Hepatitis B Vaccine - Recommended because of potential exposure to blood or body fluids, as well as increased risk of penetrating injuries.
    6. Varicella Vaccine - Indicated for those who do not have either reliable history of disease or serologic evidence of immunity.
    7. Flu Immunization - Annual Flu immunization is recommended.

Program outline

Complete All of the following:
ORTH 110 - Orthopaedic Anatomy and Physiology
ORTH 111 - Orthopaedic Pathophysiology and Nursing Interventions
ORTH 112 - Orthopaedic Specialty Skills
ORTH 113 - Practicum Preparation
ORTH 114 - Practicum

Students must pass the practicum and attain a minimum grade of 70% in each of the other courses in the program.

Additional information

View the official Calendar details and policies
Learn more about the department
View the Tuition and fees page

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