Medical Appliance Technicians

Also Called: Lab Technician, Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician (O&P Technician), Orthotic Technician, Prosthetics Technician

Associate's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$35,160

Entry Salary

Bright

Job outlook

What Medical Appliance Technicians do

Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.

  • Drill and tap holes for rivets and glue, weld, bolt, or rivet parts together to form prosthetic or orthotic devices.
  • Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools that will be required.
  • Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools.
Industry Areas:

Health Care

Training Program Areas:

Clinical Medical Assistant • OCT-Only Health Care

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Exposed to Contaminants
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  • Face-to-Face Discussions

Tools

  • Power saws
  • Laboratory mechanical convection ovens
  • Power grinders
  • Hex keys
  • Scanners

Technology

Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk AutoCAD
Ohio Willow Wood OMEGA Tracer System
Medical software
Footmaxx Metascan software
Gait analysis software
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Orthotic fabrication software

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking

Knowledge

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

Education

  • 26% Associate's degree
  • 21% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 18% Bachelor's degree

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Medical Equipment Repairers

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Motorcycle Mechanics

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Medical Appliance Technicians Currently Selected

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Rehabilitation Counselors

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Orthotists & Prosthetists

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

  • Adelphi University

    Garden City, NY

  • Alabama State University

    Montgomery, AL

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

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

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Concern for Others
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Innovation

Values

  • Relationships
  • Support
  • Working Conditions

Abilities

  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic

This is what Medical Appliance Technicians across the country typically make.

$16.90 / hour
$35,160 /year

Entry Level

$21.62 / hour
$44,960 /year

Median Level

$33.68 / hour
$70,060 /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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