Orthotists and Prosthetists

Also called: American Board Certified Orthotist (ABC Orthotist), Artificial Limb Fitter, Board Orthotist, Board Prosthetist, Certified Orthotic Fitter

Orthotists and Prosthetists

Varies

estimated salary

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

  • Maintain patients' records.
  • Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
  • Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
  • Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.
  • Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.
  • Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
  • Construct and fabricate appliances or supervise others constructing the appliances.
  • Make and modify plaster casts of areas that will be fitted with prostheses or orthoses, for use in the device construction process.
  • Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances.
  • Train and supervise support staff, such as orthopedic and prosthetic assistants and technicians.
  • Update skills and knowledge by attending conferences and seminars.
  • Confer with physicians to formulate specifications and prescriptions for orthopedic or prosthetic devices.
  • Show and explain orthopedic and prosthetic appliances to healthcare workers.
  • Research new ways to construct and use orthopedic and prosthetic devices.
  • Publish research findings or present them at conferences and seminars.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 96% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 91% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 87% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 91% responded "Every day".
  • Frequency of Decision Making — 78% responded "Every day".
  • Letters and Memos — 64% responded "Every day".
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Work Activities
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • 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.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • 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.
  • Adjust prostheses or other assistive devices.
  • Instruct patients in the use of assistive equipment.
  • Design medical devices or appliances.
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Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Design
  • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Skills

Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
  • Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
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Abilities

Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Inductive Reasoning
  • The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software
  • Alibre Design Hot Technology
  • Ohio Willow Wood OMEGA Tracer System Hot Technology
  • Polhemus FastSCAN Hot Technology
  • Seattle Systems Shapemaker Hot Technology
  • Vorum Research Corporation CANFIT-PLUS Hot Technology
  • Infinity CAD Systems AutoSculpt Hot Technology
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Hot Technology
Accounting software
  • Intuit QuickBooks Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
  • Microsoft Access Hot Technology
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