Orthopedic Medical Officer

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

Sample of reported job titles: Certified Pedorthotist, Hearing Aid Repair Technician, Lab Technician, Orthopedic Technician, Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician (O and P Technician), Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician (O&P Technician), Orthotic Technician, Prosthetic Technician, Prosthetics Technician, Registered Prosthetic Orthotic Technician.

Daily/Routine Tasks

1. 1.Drill and tap holes for rivets and glue, weld, bolt, or rivet parts together to form prosthetic or orthotic devices.
2. 2.Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools that will be required.
3. 3.Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools.
4. 4.Bend, form, and shape fabric or material to conform to prescribed contours of structural components.
5. 5.Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns.
6. 6.Repair, modify, or maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, or surgical supports, according to specifications.
7. 7.Cover or pad metal or plastic structures or devices, using coverings such as rubber, leather, felt, plastic, or fiberglass.
8. 8.Test medical supportive devices for proper alignment, movement, or biomechanical stability, using meters and alignment fixtures.
9. 9.Lay out and mark dimensions of parts, using templates and precision measuring instruments.
10. 10.Fit appliances onto patients and make any necessary adjustments.
11. 11.Polish artificial limbs, braces, or supports, using grinding and buffing wheels.
12. 12.Take patients' body or limb measurements for use in device construction.
13. 13.Instruct patients in use of prosthetic or orthotic devices.
14. 14.Service or repair machinery used in the fabrication of appliances.
15. 15.Mix pigments to match patients' skin coloring, according to formulas, and apply mixtures to orthotic or prosthetic devices.

Key Knowledge Areas

• Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• 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.
• 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.
• Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills Needed

• 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.
• Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Troubleshooting — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Operation Monitoring — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• 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.
• Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Career Interests

Interest code: RIS

• Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative — Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Styles

• Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Concern for others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.

Work Values

• Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
• Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
• Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.