Description
Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.
Interests
- Realistic
- Investigative
- Social
Work Values
- Independence
- Relationships
- Achievement
Work Styles
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Concern for Others
- Cooperation
Tasks
- 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.
- Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
- Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Detailed Work Activities
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Technology Skills
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Presentation software
- Medical software
- Spreadsheet software
- Electronic mail software
Abilities
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Skills
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Design
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Prosthetist CertificationCertifying Organization
Board of Certification/Accreditation International
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Prosthetic Technician (CTP)Certifying Organization
American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Inc.
Type
Core
Certificate name
Fellow of the American Academy of Orthotists and ProsthetistsCertifying Organization
American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Mastectomy FitterCertifying Organization
American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Inc.
Type
Core
Certificate name
Pedorthist (BOCPD)Certifying Organization
Board of Certification/Accreditation International
Type
Core
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $60,654 |
| Median (50%) | $79,494 |
| High (90%) | $101,596 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $70,883 |
| Mid Level | $86,647 |
| Senior Level | $86,730 |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 9,100 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 10,400 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 15%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 15%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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