Orthotists and Prosthetists
Tasks
Core Tasks Include:
- Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
- 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.
- Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.
- Maintain patients' records.
- Make and modify plaster casts of areas to be fitted with prostheses or orthoses to guide the device construction process.
- Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
- Confer with physicians to formulate specifications and prescriptions for orthopedic or prosthetic devices.
- Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances.
- Construct and fabricate appliances, or supervise others constructing the appliances.
- Train and supervise support staff, such as orthopedic and prosthetic assistants and technicians.
- Update skills and knowledge by attending conferences and seminars.
- Show and explain orthopedic and prosthetic appliances to healthcare workers.
- Research new ways to construct and use orthopedic and prosthetic devices.
Supplemental Tasks Include:
- Publish research findings or present them at conferences and seminars.
The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™. (Using onet28)