Similarities Between Orthotists And Prosthetist
Maddie Goetz
Orthotists and Prosthetists
What Orthotists and Prosthetists Do
Orthotists and prosthetists design, fabricate, and fit patients for medical supportive devices. Some of these devices include braces, artificial limbs (feet, legs, hands, and arms) and other various medical or surgical devices. The goal of making these devices is to allow patients to improve and regain mobility and functionality of the target area. Orthotists and prosthetists can work in both orthotics and prosthetics, or they can choose to specialize in a specific area. Orthotists are specifically trained to work with medically supportive braces such as knee and ankle braces, whereas prosthetics are specifically trained to work with prosthetics such as artificial …show more content…
limbs and other various body parts. Orthotists and prosthetists can either construct the medical devices for their patients or oversee the making of them by a medical appliance technician. Some other duties performed by orthotists and prosthetists include interviewing and evaluating patients to determine their needs, taking impressions and measuring that part of the body that will be fitted with the medical device, designing and fabricating prosthetic and orthopedic devices based on physicians’ descriptions, and selecting materials to be used on the prosthetic and orthopedic devices, Prosthetists also guide and explain the use and care instructions to the patient, adjust, repair, or replace orthotic and prosthetic devices, and also document patient information in their medical records.
Work Environment
31% orthotists and prosthetists are employed by medical equipment and supply manufacturing industries; 21% are employed by health and personal care services; 18% are employed by ambulatory healthcare services; 11% are employed by hospitals; 8% are employed by the federal government. Since most of these locations are in close relation to health facilities, orthotists and prosthetists who fabricate orthotics and prosthetics may be exposed to health and safety hazards, but if one follows all protocol and safety procedures, there is very little risk of harm. Some of these procedures may include wearing goggles, gloves, and masks.
How to Become an Orthotists and Prosthetists
To become an orthotists and prosthetists, one would need a master’s degree in orthotics and prosthetics and certification.
Also, a residency must be completed by both orthotists and prosthetists before one can be certified. Programs included in completing a master’s degree in orthotics and prosthetics are spinal orthotics, upper and lower extremity orthotics and prosthetics, and plastics and other materials used for fabrication. In addition, orthotics and prosthetics programs have a clinical component in which the student works under the direction of an orthotists or prosthetists. Master’s programs usually take 2 years to complete. Prospective students can have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline if they have prerequisite courses in math and science. These requirements can vary by different programs. After graduation from the master’s program, a residency needs to be completed. A 1-year residency needs to be completed for either orthotics or prosthetics. If one would like to specialize in both, a 1-year residency needs to be completed in both specialties. Important qualities needed to be and orthotist and prosthetist include communication skills, problem-solving skills, physical stamina, physical dexterity, patience, leadership skills, and to be detail
oriented.
Pay
The median wage for orthotists and prosthetists is $64,430. Annual pay can range between $35,160 and $107,550.
Job Outlook
Employment of orthotists and prosthetists is projected to grow 23% in the next decade. This means that there will be a projected 1,900 job increase in the field. The need for orthotics and prosthetics will become increasingly necessary as the baby-boom generation is becoming older and in more need of medical devices.
Similar Occupations
Some similar occupations include physical therapists, physicians and surgeons, respiratory therapists, dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians, medical appliance technicians, and occupational therapists.
What have I done a Sartell to prepare for this career?
I have taken classes in math and science, which will help me prepare for introduction into the field. I have also taken several computer classes to prepare for other technical aspects of the job.
What will I do before I graduate from Sartell to prepare for this career
To help prepare for a position in the orthotic and prosthetic field, I can take more classes in biology, such as anatomy and sports medicine. I can also work on leading others, problem-solving, and improve my communication skills through all other classes that I will take in my high school career. In classes like physical education, I can improve my physical stamina, which is a required skill for an orthotist and prosthetist. Along with all of these things in school, I can improve my credibility with more work experience and training.
Orthotists and Prosthetists
What Orthotists and Prosthetists Do
Orthotists and prosthetists design, fabricate, and fit patients for medical supportive devices. Some of these devices include braces, artificial limbs (feet, legs, hands, and arms) and other various medical or surgical devices. The goal of making these devices is to allow patients to improve and regain mobility and functionality of the target area. Orthotists and prosthetists can work in both orthotics and prosthetics, or they can choose to specialize in a specific area. Orthotists are specifically trained to work with medically supportive braces such as knee and ankle braces, whereas prosthetics are specifically trained to work with prosthetics such as artificial …show more content…
limbs and other various body parts. Orthotists and prosthetists can either construct the medical devices for their patients or oversee the making of them by a medical appliance technician. Some other duties performed by orthotists and prosthetists include interviewing and evaluating patients to determine their needs, taking impressions and measuring that part of the body that will be fitted with the medical device, designing and fabricating prosthetic and orthopedic devices based on physicians’ descriptions, and selecting materials to be used on the prosthetic and orthopedic devices, Prosthetists also guide and explain the use and care instructions to the patient, adjust, repair, or replace orthotic and prosthetic devices, and also document patient information in their medical records.
Work Environment
31% orthotists and prosthetists are employed by medical equipment and supply manufacturing industries; 21% are employed by health and personal care services; 18% are employed by ambulatory healthcare services; 11% are employed by hospitals; 8% are employed by the federal government. Since most of these locations are in close relation to health facilities, orthotists and prosthetists who fabricate orthotics and prosthetics may be exposed to health and safety hazards, but if one follows all protocol and safety procedures, there is very little risk of harm. Some of these procedures may include wearing goggles, gloves, and masks.
How to Become an Orthotists and Prosthetists
To become an orthotists and prosthetists, one would need a master’s degree in orthotics and prosthetics and certification.
Also, a residency must be completed by both orthotists and prosthetists before one can be certified. Programs included in completing a master’s degree in orthotics and prosthetics are spinal orthotics, upper and lower extremity orthotics and prosthetics, and plastics and other materials used for fabrication. In addition, orthotics and prosthetics programs have a clinical component in which the student works under the direction of an orthotists or prosthetists. Master’s programs usually take 2 years to complete. Prospective students can have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline if they have prerequisite courses in math and science. These requirements can vary by different programs. After graduation from the master’s program, a residency needs to be completed. A 1-year residency needs to be completed for either orthotics or prosthetics. If one would like to specialize in both, a 1-year residency needs to be completed in both specialties. Important qualities needed to be and orthotist and prosthetist include communication skills, problem-solving skills, physical stamina, physical dexterity, patience, leadership skills, and to be detail
oriented.
Pay
The median wage for orthotists and prosthetists is $64,430. Annual pay can range between $35,160 and $107,550.
Job Outlook
Employment of orthotists and prosthetists is projected to grow 23% in the next decade. This means that there will be a projected 1,900 job increase in the field. The need for orthotics and prosthetics will become increasingly necessary as the baby-boom generation is becoming older and in more need of medical devices.
Similar Occupations
Some similar occupations include physical therapists, physicians and surgeons, respiratory therapists, dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians, medical appliance technicians, and occupational therapists.
What have I done a Sartell to prepare for this career?
I have taken classes in math and science, which will help me prepare for introduction into the field. I have also taken several computer classes to prepare for other technical aspects of the job.
What will I do before I graduate from Sartell to prepare for this career
To help prepare for a position in the orthotic and prosthetic field, I can take more classes in biology, such as anatomy and sports medicine. I can also work on leading others, problem-solving, and improve my communication skills through all other classes that I will take in my high school career. In classes like physical education, I can improve my physical stamina, which is a required skill for an orthotist and prosthetist. Along with all of these things in school, I can improve my credibility with more work experience and training.