Orthotists and Prosthetists Go Back to List Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Computer aided design CAD software

Tasks
	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 that will be fitted with prostheses or orthoses, for use in 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.

Skills
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

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.
	Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
	Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
	Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
	Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
	Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

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Education & Training   Education:   Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).   Related Experience:   Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $70,167.00 $33.73  $19.43  $19.92 - $43.42  Hartford $72,691.00 $34.94  $19.37  $21.46 - $40.75  New Haven $70,662.00 $33.98  $19.11  $19.19 - $45.33

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	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.