Designs, builds, fits and repairs splints, braces, callipers, artificial limbs and related appliances to restore function or compensate for muscular and skeletal disabilities. Registration or licensing may be required.
Previously referred to in ASCO as:
2399-15 Orthotist
Prosthetists/Orthotists assess the physical and functional limitations of
people resulting from illness and disabilities, and provide prostheses
(artificial limbs) and orthoses (supportive devices) to restore function or
compensate for muscular and skeletal disabilities, including limb amputation.
Prosthetists/orthotists may work with prosthetic/orthotic technicians and
other health professionals.
How much can I expect to earn?
Full-time employed Prosthetist/Orthotist earn an average of $1424 per week.
The [average annual salary for this job is $74048 excluding super.]
Personal requirements
aptitude for technical tasks
good communication skills
enjoy helping people
able to work as part of a team.
This job also involves:
Full use of hands/fingers
Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements
are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination
or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to
undertake.
Good vision for detail
These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It
covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place
unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with
detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good
hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.
Mainly indoor work
Workers performing these jobs would usually be expected to spend more than
three-quarters of their day indoors, in an office, factory or other enclosed
area protected from the weather.
Reading or writing
These jobs require moderate or better reading and writing skills. Workers may
be expected to prepare, understand or act on written materials, such as
letters or reports. People may wish to avoid these jobs if their reading or
writing English skills are limited to a small range of words or phrases and
symbols. Jobs remaining may still require very basic reading or writing
skills.
This occupation offers jobs at the following skill levels:
Professional Jobs
Jobs in this group usually require completion of a recognised Bachelor Degree,
or extensive relevant experience. Some jobs also require post-graduate study,
such as a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master Degree.
Study requirements
At school, you can study these subject(s) to get a good foundation for this
occupation:
Biology
School subjects that include some aspect of BIOLOGY provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases a biology-related subject is a pre-
requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Industrial Arts
School subjects that include some aspect of INDUSTRIAL ARTS provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases an industrial arts-related subject is
a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Physics
School subjects that include some aspect of PHYSICS provide a useful
background to these jobs. In some cases a physics-related subject is a pre-
requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.
Duties and tasks of a Prosthetist/Orthotist
Prosthetists/orthotists may perform the following tasks:
assess and establish clients’ needs through physical examinations and standardised tests
assess clients’ functional abilities in home, work, educational and leisure environments and recommend appropriate prosthetic/orthotic devices
design, prescribe and fit prosthetic/orthotic devices to meet clients’ needs
provide advice to other healthcare professionals regarding patients’ problems, needs, progress and any pre-surgical planning
provide gait (walking) training and education relating to the use of prosthetic/orthotic devices
test and adjust the prostheses or orthoses for effectiveness and client comfort