Orthotists and Prosthetists :: Job Description

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Orthotists and Prosthetists

Careers / Orthotists and Prosthetists

Summary Description


	Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.

Sample Job Titles

1.	American Board Certified Orthotist (ABC Orthotist)

2.	Artificial Limb Fitter

3.	Board Certified and Licensed Orthotist/Prosthetist

4.	Certified Orthotic Fitter

5.	Certified Orthotist (CO)

6.	Certified Orthotist, Practice Manager

7.	Certified Orthotist/Pedorthist

8.	Certified Orthotist/Practitioner Manager

9.	Certified Prosthetist (CP)

10.	Certified Prosthetist, Certified Pedorthist

11.	Certified Prosthetist, Licensed Orthotist

12.	Certified Prosthetist, Vice President

13.	Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO)

14.	Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist CPO and Area Practice Manager APM

15.	Licensed Certified Orthotist

16.	Licensed Prosthetist

17.	Licensed Prosthetist/Orthotist (LPO)

18.	Orthopedic Assistant

19.	Orthopedic Mechanic

20.	Orthotic/Prosthetic Clinician

21.	Orthotic/Prosthetic Practitioner

22.	Orthotics Assistant

23.	Orthotist

24.	Orthotist/Prosthetist

25.	Pedorthist

26.	Prosthetics Assistant

27.	Prosthetist

28.	Upper Extremity Prosthetics Clinical Director

Job Tasks

	Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit. Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals. Examine patients to assess general physical condition. Measure the physical or physiological attributes of patients.

	Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort. Adjust prostheses or other assistive devices.

	Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses. Instruct patients in the use of assistive equipment.

	Maintain patients' records. Record patient medical histories.

	Select materials and components to be used, based on device design. Fabricate medical devices.

	Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients. Design medical devices or appliances.

	Make and modify plaster casts of areas that will be fitted with prostheses or orthoses, for use in the device construction process. Fabricate medical devices.

	Confer with physicians to formulate specifications and prescriptions for orthopedic or prosthetic devices. Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

	Construct and fabricate appliances or supervise others constructing the appliances. Fabricate medical devices. Supervise medical support personnel.

	Train and supervise support staff, such as orthopedic and prosthetic assistants and technicians. Train medical providers. Supervise medical support personnel.

	Update skills and knowledge by attending conferences and seminars. Maintain medical or professional knowledge.

	Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances. Fabricate medical devices. Adjust prostheses or other assistive devices.

	Show and explain orthopedic and prosthetic appliances to healthcare workers. Train medical providers.

	Research new ways to construct and use orthopedic and prosthetic devices. Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.

	Publish research findings or present them at conferences and seminars. Present medical research reports.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Orthotists and Prosthetists
	Orthotists and prosthetists design and fabricate medical supportive devices and measure and fit patients for them. These devices include artificial limbs (arms, hands, legs, and feet), braces, and other medical or surgical devices.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Orthotists and Prosthetists
	Orthotists and prosthetists held about 8,300 jobs in 2014. Most work in offices, where they meet with patients, and then fabricate orthotic and prosthetic devices.

	Read More >>

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Before his music career, Elvis Costello worked as a computer programmer.

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