Orthotics Careers

Orthotics and Prosthetics Career Overview

Orthotics and prosthetics is the evaluation, fabrication and custom fitting of artificial limbs and orthopedic braces. The orthotics and prosthetics practitioner is an allied health professional who is specifically educated and clinically trained to provide and/or manage the provision of comprehensive orthotic (braces) and prosthetic (artificial limbs) care, based upon a clinical assessment and a physician's prescription, to restore physiological function and/or cosmesis.

Orthotics and prosthetics have a variety of specialties within the profession, including orthotics and prosthetics practitioners, assistants, fitters, and technicians. Prosthetists and orthotists are members of the rehab team and work with physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, case managers, nurses, and family members.

In order to become an orthotics and prosthetics practitioner, you need a bachelor's degree in orthotics and prosthetics. After graduation, a 12-month residency program is required before becoming certified. As in other health industries, it is essential to maintain and advance your skills through your career. Therefore, continuing education after becoming certified is mandatory.

Job opportunities abound throughout the country, and the need for orthotic and prosthetic professionals is increasing rapidly. As an orthotics and prosthetics practitioner, you will get the opportunity to work in both the public and the private sector, in settings such as hospitals and rehabilitation centers.

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Orthotics and Prosthetics Training & Education

Education, residency, and training prepare the certified practitioner to handle complete patient care.

The education pathway to certification for orthotics and prosthetics practitioners requires the individual to get a bachelor's degree in orthotics and prosthetics, and to complete a 12-month residency program accredited through the National Commission on Orthotic & Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). The NCOPE Residency program completes the education of an orthotist or prosthetist by teaching the fundamental skills necessary in practice.

In addition to the bacholer's degree and the 12-month residency program, after becoming an ABC certified orthotics and prosthetics practitioner, you need to complete ongoing mandatory continuing education. This education is aimed at advancing your training and specialized sills beyond the basic level.

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Orthotics and Prosthetics Career & Salary Outlook

Orthotists and prosthetists get the chance to work in a large variety of settings, such as private practices, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, specialty clinics, nursing homes, and the patients' homes. As an orthotist and prosthetist, you can also start your own practice.

Compensation varies based on factors like geographical location and experience level. The average salary for a highly experienced, ABC-certified orthotist and prosthetist can surpass $60,000 per year. The average starting salary for those completing their residencies is between $20,000 and $28,000 per year.

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Career Fields/Specializations

Prosthetic Technician Career

A prosthetic technician assists in the measuring, fabrication, fitting, repairing, and servicing of a prosthesis. Frequently, the technician will be involved in the design of the prosthetics as well. The work of a prosthetics technician is wide and varied, and he or she will be required to call upon their manufacturing experience and knowledge of materials. It is important to possess mechanical ability and hand-eye coordination in order to use laboratory tools safely and effectively.

Effective organizational, time management, and planning skills are essential for a prosthetic technician, in addition to the mandatory technical skills. Since prosthetic technicians work as part of a team, good interpersonal and verbal skills for communicating with others are important.

At present there is no national training for prosthetics technicians. The trainee technician is generally required to complete an engineering degree and certificate program.

Orthotics and Prosthetics Fitter Career

An orthotics and prosthetics fitter is an individual trained and qualified to participate in the fitting and delivery of pre-fabricated orthotic and prosthetic devices and/or soft goods.

You must be certified in order to work as an orthotics and prosthetics fitter. The American Board for Certification (ABC) in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics ensures the employer and the patient that you meet ABC's extensive education and training requirements.

Aside from extensive knowledge in orthotics and prosthetics, you need analytical and problem-solving skills. It is also important that you continue your education even after certification, since orthotics and prosthetics is a field filled with scientific and technological advances.

As a fitter, you will be working with patients, so patient management and clinical and communication skills are a vital part of the job.

Orthotics and Prosthetics Assistants

An orthotics and prosthetics assistant supports the practitioner by assisting in orthotic and prosthetic patient care. Under the guidance and supervision of an orthotics and prosthetics practitioner, registered assistants may perform orthotic and prosthetic procedures and other related tasks. The registered assistant also fabricates, repairs, and maintains devices to provide the best fit, function and cosmesis.

As an orhotics and prosthetics assistant, you need to be certified by the American Board for Certification (ABC) in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics. The certification exam tests your analytical and problem solving skills, in addition to your clinical skills, which are all essential to serving as an orthotics and prosthetics assistant.

Orthotics and prosthetics assistants are regularly be in contact with the patients. Therefore, communication skills and knowing how to manage patients are of utmost importance.

Medical Appliance Technicians

Medical appliance technicians build, fit, and repair artificial limbs, braces, and supports. They work as assistants to orthotists, prosthetists, or podiatrists. Technicians test devices for proper alignment and movement. They may test the devices both on and off the patient. They also fit devices onto patients and make adjustments if needed. Most technicians repair and maintain the devices they make. In addition, some technicians teach patients how to use these devices.

A medical appliance technician works directly with patients, so communication skills are excellent assets. Medical appliance technicians also build and repair devices. Therefore, they also must have analytical and critical thinking skills.

Orthotics and prosthetics is a field that experiences regular advances in technology. It is important, even after your education, to continue your training.

Orthotics Technician Career

Orthotic technicians are involved in the measurement, construction, and maintenance of in-shoe correction aids called orthoses. They generally work as a team with podiatrists, prosthetists, and orthotists to ensure that patients remain mobile.

As an orthotics technician, you are trained to provide comprehensive orthotic technical support services. You also need to possess the knowledge to interact with clinical orthotists. You will acquire knowledge in polymer processes, strength of materials, and applied biomechanical principles to develop and customize an orthoses.

The ability to work in a team environment and communication skills are important, in addition to attention to detail and the technical ability that is required.

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