Orthopedic Technologist

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

Sample of reported job titles: American Board Certified Orthotist (ABC Orthotist), Certified Orthotist (CO), Certified Prosthetist (CP), Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO), Licensed Prosthetist/Orthotist (LPO), Orthotic/Prosthetic Practitioner, Orthotist, Orthotist/Prosthetist, Pedorthist, Prosthetist

Daily/Routine Tasks

1. 1.Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
2. 2.Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
3. 3.Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.
4. 4.Maintain patients' records.
5. 5.Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
6. 6.Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.
7. 7.Make and modify plaster casts of areas that will be fitted with prostheses or orthoses, for use in the device construction process.
8. 8.Confer with physicians to formulate specifications and prescriptions for orthopedic or prosthetic devices.
9. 9.Construct and fabricate appliances or supervise others constructing the appliances.
10. 10.Train and supervise support staff, such as orthopedic and prosthetic assistants and technicians.
11. 11.Update skills and knowledge by attending conferences and seminars.
12. 12.Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances.
13. 13.Show and explain orthopedic and prosthetic appliances to healthcare workers.
14. 14.Research new ways to construct and use orthopedic and prosthetic devices.
15. 15.Publish research findings or present them at conferences and seminars.

Key Knowledge Areas

• 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.
• Medicine and Dentistry — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
• Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• 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.
• Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Skills Needed

• Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• 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.
• Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• 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.

Career Interests

Interest code: SRI

• Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• 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.

Work Styles

• Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Concern for others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Work Values

• Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
• 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.
• Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.