Orthotist and Prosthetist
Orthotists and prosthetists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the design, fabrication, and fitting of orthotic and prosthetic devices to aid individuals who have lost limbs or have conditions affecting their mobility. They play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for patients by optimizing movement and promoting independence, often working with individuals affected by congenital disabilities, injuries, or diseases. Typically, these professionals assess patient needs, create treatment plans, and evaluate the effectiveness of the devices, which may include braces, artificial limbs, and other supportive appliances.
Their work environments include hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and independent labs, where they collaborate with a team of healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive patient care. Individuals pursuing this career generally need a master's degree and may benefit from internships to gain hands-on experience. The profession is noted for its strong job outlook, with a projected employment growth rate significantly higher than the average across occupations. Moreover, orthotists and prosthetists are expected to possess a blend of technical skills, creativity, and empathy to address the diverse needs of their patients effectively.
Orthotist and Prosthetist
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science, Manufacturing
Interests: Science, anatomy, applied technology, biomechanics, medical appliances
Earnings (Yearly Median): $78,100 per year $37.55 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 15% (Much faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Master's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Internship/residency
Overview
Sphere of Work. Orthotists and prosthetists treat patients by developing, crafting, producing, fitting, maintaining, repairing, and servicing orthotic and prosthetic devices. Orthotists and prosthetists help optimize movement and increase independence for individuals who have lost part or all of a limb due to congenital disabilities, accidents, or disease. They assess patient conditions, design treatment devices, and evaluate treatment efficacy. They may follow prescriptions from medical professionals, such as podiatrists, orthopedic surgeons, occupational therapists, and rehabilitation specialists when fabricating medical braces, arch supports, splints, stabilizers, joints, and artificial arms, hands, legs, and feet.
Work Environment. Orthotists and prosthetists spend their workdays in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, medical technology businesses, educational facilities, and independent medical laboratories. These settings tend to be clean and well-ventilated. Human interaction in medical labs tends to be limited to communication with laboratory staff, doctors, and patients. Orthotists and prosthetists generally work forty-hour weeks or more.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the professions of orthotist and prosthetist tend to be intelligent and detail-oriented. Successful orthotists and prosthetists possess strong hand-eye coordination and focus, problem-solving skills, mechanical aptitude, and concern for others. Orthotists and prosthetists should enjoy working in laboratory settings and have a strong science and machine fabrication background.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The orthotist’s or prosthetist’s specialty area and work environment determine the individual’s daily occupational duties and responsibilities. Specialty areas in orthotics and prosthetics include pediatrics, geriatrics, and sports.
The fabrication of orthoses and prostheses involves multiple steps and patient appointments. Orthotists and prosthetists do initial measuring and casting on patients. Additional appointments are required for patient fittings, patient instruction, and device maintenance and repair. Orthotists and prosthetists use patient feedback to achieve optimum comfort and flexibility.
Orthotists and prosthetists make an initial plaster cast or digital impression of the affected limb or body area and then use thermoplastics, carbon fiber, acrylic, and epoxy resins to fabricate a brace or limb. Once the brace or artificial limb is made, the orthotists and prosthetists use tools to grind, polish, buff, and finish the piece. The brace or limb is covered with a soft material, such as leather or felt, to create a barrier between human skin and the artificial limb. Dyes and coverings are sometimes used to give the orthoses and prostheses a lifelike appearance. Orthotists and prosthetists test all fabricated limbs and braces for stability and proper alignment. When necessary, they also service and repair orthoses and prostheses.
In addition, all orthotists and prosthetists are responsible for routine setup, calibration, and sterilization of all laboratory equipment and materials. Orthotists and prosthetists also discuss patient progress and goals with patient care teams.
Prosthetics Assistants (078.361-026). Prosthetics assistants help prosthetists make and fit prostheses for patients with partial or total absence of limbs by making cast measurements and model modifications; performing fitting and alignments; evaluating fit, function, appearance, and quality of prostheses; and repairing and maintaining prostheses.
Orthotics Technicians (712.381-034). Orthotics technicians make, fit, repair, and maintain orthoses under the direction of an orthotist or orthotics assistant.
Prosthetics Technicians (712.381-038). Prosthetics technicians make, fit, maintain, and repair prostheses under the direction of a prosthetist or prosthetics assistant.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. The primary physical environment of orthotists and prosthetists varies based on their employer and specialization. Orthotists and prosthetists spend their workdays in laboratories in hospitals, doctors’ offices, medical businesses, educational facilities, and independent medical laboratories.
Orthotists and prosthetists are at higher than average risk for such job-related injuries as eyestrain, backache, and machine accidents. Their work frequently requires them to wear protective gear.
Human Environment. Orthotists and prosthetists should be comfortable meeting with laboratory staff, physicians, and patients. Orthotists and prosthetists are often a key part of patient care teams that consist of podiatrists, orthopedic surgeons, occupational therapists, and rehabilitation specialists.
Technological Environment. Tools used to construct orthoses and prostheses include drills, hammers, anvils, and saws. Materials used to fabricate orthoses and prostheses include wood, metal, fabric, leather, plastics, thermoplastics, lamination, plaster, carbon fiber, acrylic, and epoxy resins. Some orthotists and prosthetists may need additional knowledge of computerized systems as more advanced prosthetic devices require electronic input to function.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as an orthotist and prosthetist should prepare themselves by developing good study habits. High school-level study of biology, chemistry, anatomy, and mathematics can provide a strong foundation for college-level work in the field. Courses in art, drafting, technology, and metalworking can also build the necessary skills for work with orthotics and prosthetics. High school students interested in this career path may benefit from seeking internships or part-time work that exposes the students to laboratory and medical settings and procedures.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming orthotists and prosthetists should work toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree in prosthetics, orthotics, clinical sciences, applied technology, or a related field. Coursework in biomechanics, biology, kinesiology, anatomy, and mathematics may also prove useful in their future work. Postsecondary students can gain work experience and potential advantage in their future job searches by securing internships or part-time employment in laboratory and medical settings.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
"Orthotists and Prosthetists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/orthotists-and-prosthetists.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.