Orthotists and Prosthetists: Career & Application Guide

What do orthotists and prosthetists do?

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

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

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.
Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.
Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances.
Construct and fabricate appliances, or supervise others constructing the appliances.
Make and modify plaster casts of areas to be fitted with prostheses or orthoses to guide the device construction process.
Confer with physicians to formulate specifications and prescriptions for orthopedic or prosthetic devices.

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