What Do Orthotists and Prosthetists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Orthotists and Prosthetists

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

Salary
$74120
Becoming One
Very Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



Job Description

Job Description

Orthotists and Prosthetists design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions. They also examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.

Other tasks include:

  • Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
  • Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.
  • Maintain patients’ records.
  • Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
  • Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians’ prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.
  • Make and modify plaster casts of areas that will be fitted with prostheses or orthoses, for use in the device construction process.

We asked Orthotists and Prosthetists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

79%

How meaningful is this job

85%


79% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 85% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Orthotists and Prosthetists fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort. They instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.

A typical day for an Orthotist and Prosthetist will also include:

  • Construct and fabricate appliances or supervise others constructing the appliances.
  • Train and supervise support staff, such as orthopedic and prosthetic assistants and technicians.
  • Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
  • Maintain patients’ records.
  • Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians’ prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.

We asked some Orthotists and Prosthetists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 82% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 55% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 100% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 63% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 6% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 79% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Orthotists and Prosthetists also confer with physicians to formulate specifications and prescriptions for orthopedic or prosthetic devices. They may also show and explain orthopedic and prosthetic appliances to healthcare workers.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Orthotists and Prosthetists Research new ways to construct and use orthopedic and prosthetic devices. They might also Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances.

In addition, they Train and supervise support staff, such as orthopedic and prosthetic assistants and technicians.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Make and modify plaster casts of areas that will be fitted with prostheses or orthoses, for use in the device construction process.

To some Orthotists and Prosthetists, it is also their responsibility to Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians’ prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Orthotist and Prosthetist, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do Orthotists and Prosthetists work in an office-style work environment?

Every day
94%


Never
6%


Do Orthotists and Prosthetists work outdoors?

Never
75%


Once a year
19%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Helpers and The Builders

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Orthotists and Prosthetists

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Related to Orthotists and Prosthetists Job Description

Orthotists and Prosthetists job description, what do Orthotists and Prosthetists do, typical day for Orthotists and Prosthetists, what is it like to work as an Orthotist and Prosthetist, how many hours do Orthotists and Prosthetists work, day to day work of an Orthotist and Prosthetist

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/orthotists-and-prosthetists.htm
http://www.oandp.org/
http://www.abcop.org/


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