Everything You Need to Know About a Career in Prosthetics

A prosthetics career is a healthcare specialization concerned with the creation and fitting of prosthetic devices. Prosthetists design and fit patients with prosthetic devices, while orthotists design and fit orthotic devices. Professionals who make prostheses —artificial limbs — are know as prosthetic technicians, while orthotic technicians are persons who make braces and splints to provide support for weak body parts. Overall, the goal of prosthetics and orthotics careers is to help patients recover mobility in a body part. Here’s what you need to know about prosthetics and orthotics careers, including what you can expect, duties and responsibilities, and job outlook.

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Prosthetics and orthotics careers are not very mainstream, but they’re beneficial to society. If you’re considering a career in prosthetics, here’s what you can expect. 

Prosthetics career overview

Prosthetics careers involve the design and fabrication of medical support devices such as artificial limbs for full or partial limb replacement. Orthotists are concerned with the design and fabrication of braces and other support devices that help patients regain mobility in an injured body part. In some cases, a prosthetist may also be an orthotist, and vice versa, but it is also common for professionals to specialize in only one area. 

Prosthetics and orthotics are full-time careers. At the beginning of their careers, prosthetists may be directly involved in the design and construction of the medical support devices, but as time goes on, it’s common for them to supervise orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) technicians, a specialization for medical appliance technicians.

Work environment

Prosthetists and orthotists can work in a wide variety of settings. They may work in large government-owned hospitals or private hospitals. Most find work in ambulatory healthcare institutions such as outpatient clinics, specialty clinics, and urgent care facilities. Prosthetists and orthotists can also find work in healthcare manufacturing and healthcare stores.

Salary expectations

The average salary for orthotists in the United States is $65,506 per year, while prosthetists can expect to make slightly more at an average of $75,922 per year. Orthotic and prosthetic technicians make an average of $34,470 per year. Salary expectations vary based on level of experience, geographical location, and many other factors. 

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A career in prosthetics and orthotics requires at least a master’s degree and a national certification. Both programs are usually offered together at the undergraduate level and may include some technician practicum experience. Intending professionals can acquire either an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in orthotics and prosthetics technology, before pursuing a master’s degree. 

Associate’s degree programs may typically last up to two years, while bachelor’s degree programs last up to four years. Some educational institutions may offer joint bachelor’s and master’s programs in health science, with a focus on orthotics and prosthetics. Individuals enrolled in this program will graduate with a Masters of Prosthetics and Orthotics (MPO). 

With a master’s degree, the next step is a residency program certified by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). A residency in either orthotics or prosthetics will last a year, while focus in both fields requires 18 months. After a residency, some states require certification by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics (ABC). Certificates are awarded to candidates with master’s degrees who have completed a residency and passed a series of certification exams. Continuing education is required for professionals who wish to maintain their licenses and continue practicing in the field. 

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Doctoral programs in orthotics and prosthetics are also available. They are typically research-focused and offered as specializations in rehabilitative science programs.

Prosthestics and orthotics involves the design, making, and fitting of prosthetic and orthotic devices. Here’s a look at the tasks and responsibilities these professionals carry out on a daily basis:

Evaluating patients

Orthotists and prosthetists evaluate patients who come into the hospital with mobility issues in their limbs or back. They may take patients at specialist centers, or work on a full time or consulting basis for a department in a large hospital. They collect patient symptoms and history and diagnose the patient’s condition.

Designing prosthetic and orthotic devices

Orthotists and prosthetists measure a patient’s body parts to determine the dimensions of the device to be made. O&P technicians also choose what materials to use in the manufacturing process. They form and shape the braces and prosthetic limbs. 

Fitting and repairing prosthetic and orthotic devices 

Prosthetists have to conduct a fitting to ensure that the prosthetic device fits perfectly. If there are not any adjustments to be made, they take care of those and re-fit the device onto the patient. Prosthetic doctors and prosthetic technicians often collaborate during this process.

Educating patients

Prosthetic and orthortic doctors are responsible for teaching their patients how to use and maintain their devices. They also instruct them on how to clean and store them, if needed. 

Administrative duties

Prosthetists and orthotists carry out some administrative tasks like updating patient records, writing and reading prescriptions, and for technicians, reviewing work orders. 

With a base year of 2019, the job outlook for careers in prosthetics and orthotics is expected to increase by 17% by the year 2029. This is much higher than the national average for a lot of other career paths. An additional 1,700 prosthetic and orthotic professionals will be be employed  by 2029. As the size of the older population grows, more orthotists will be needed to manage their unique mobility issues. Similarly, prosthetists will also be in more demand. Furthermore, with technological advances increasing traumatic accident survival rates, accident survivors will continue to need intervention via prosthetics and orthotics to restore or improve their mobility.

There are some benefits to exploring a career in prosthetics and orthotics. If you’ve been hesitant to pursue a career in this direction, these benefits may change your mind. Let’s explore some of them below: 

There’s no need to go to medical school

If you’re interested in a career in the healthcare industry, but would prefer not to go to medical school, this may be the path for you. It may take at least seven years of education and training to become a licensed prosthetist, less time than it takes to become a licensed and practicing physician. 

Work-life balance

Prosthetics is one of the less hectic career paths in the healthcare industry. You can maintain a regular 40-hour work week and don’t have to work back-to-back shifts and odd hours. With a job in this field, you would still be able to devote time to other aspects of your life. 

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A good source of income

Prosthetics and orthotics provide more than a living wage. According to U.S. News, the best-paid orthotists and prosthetists in 2019 made over $86,000 that year. The salary outlook for prosthetics has increased steadily over the last 10 years, and is expected to get better over the next decade. 

Career flexibility and transferable skills

A career in prosthetics and orthotics does not limit your options. Possible positions include:

• Orthotic fitter
• Orthotic technician
• Orthotist

In addition, your skills can be transferred into other healthcare career paths, such as dental laboratory technician (or other medial appliance technician) and physical therapist.

A career in prosthetics and orthotics is right for you if you possess the following skills:

Excellent dexterity

This career path involves extensive use of the hands. With strong hand skills and easy movement, you can effectively create new medical devices and adjust them to fit your patients. 

Interpersonal skills

Prosthetics and orthotics is a people-facing career. You have to interface with patients and other healthcare staff such as administrative assistants, physician’s assistants, and physical therapists.

Mathematical and analytical skills

Prosthetics and orthotists need great numerical skills to assist them in the design of medical devices. 

Creativity and problem-solving skills

You’ll need a creative mind and the ability to think beyond what is currently possible to solve problems for your patients.

It’s worth pursuing a career in prosthetics. This guide will set you up on your way to doing  that. There’s so much you can achieve in your career when you have the right amount of guidance. Glassdoor offers just that and more. Let us help you become successful at what you do.