Orthotists & Prosthetists

Also Called: Certified Orthotist (CO), Certified Prosthetist (CP), Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist (CPO), Orthotist

Master's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$42,020

Entry Salary

Bright

Job outlook

What Orthotists & Prosthetists do

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

  • Maintain patients' records.
  • Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
  • Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
Industry Areas:

Health Care

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Electronic Mail
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Telephone
  • Contact With Others
  • Frequency of Decision Making

Tools

  • Scanners
  • Cast cutters or saws
  • Power routers
  • Vacuum molding machines
  • Pipe or tube cutter

Technology

Medical software
Gait analysis software
Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk AutoCAD
Ohio Willow Wood OMEGA Tracer System

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
  • Writing

Knowledge

Business
customer service
management
Engineering and Technology
design
mechanical
Arts and Humanities
English language
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products

Education

  • 43% Master's degree
  • 22% Post-baccalaureate certificate
  • 13% Bachelor's degree

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.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Home Health Aides

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, & Illustrators

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Medical Appliance Technicians

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Orthotists & Prosthetists Currently Selected

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Aaniiih Nakoda College

    Harlem, MT

  • Adelphi University

    Garden City, NY

Apprenticeships

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Investigative (Thinker)
    • Realistic (Doer)
    • Social (Helper)

Work Styles

  • Integrity
  • Concern for Others
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Self Control
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Values

  • Independence
  • Relationships
  • Achievement

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Hand and Finger Use

This is what Orthotists & Prosthetists across the country typically make.

$20.20 / hour
$42,020 /year

Entry Level

$37.55 / hour
$78,100 /year

Median Level

$56.37 / hour
$117,250 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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