Career Overview
Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.
Also Known As
- Certified Orthotist (CO)
- Certified Prosthetist (CP)
- Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO)
- Orthotist
Alternate Job Titles
- American Board Certified Orthotist (ABC Orthotist)
- Artificial Limb Fitter
- Board Orthotist
- Board Prosthetist
- Certified Orthotic Fitter
- Certified Orthotist (CO)
- Certified Pedorthist
- Certified Prosthetist (CP)
- Certified Prosthetist Orthotist (CPO)
- Licensed Orthotist
- Licensed Prosthetist
- LPO (Licensed Prosthetist Orthotist)
- Orthopedic Assistant
- Orthopedic Mechanic
- Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician (Orthotic and Prosthetic Tech)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
- Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.
- Maintain patients' records.
- Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
- Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
- Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.
- Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Design
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Psychology
- Mechanical
- Education and Training
- Production and Processing
- Administration and Management
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Complex Problem Solving
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Visualization
- Written Expression
- Information Ordering
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Empathy
- Cautiousness
- Cooperation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Independence
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Support
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: 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.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Allen wrenches
- Anvils
- Belt sanders
- Bending irons
- Cast cutters
- Cast spreaders
- Circular saws
- Claw hammers
- Computer numerical controlled CNC milling machines
- Deburring tools
- Desktop computers
- Digital calipers
- Digital protractors
- Digital video cameras
- Digitizers
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Telephone Conversations
- Physical Proximity
- Frequency of Decision Making
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $46,220 |
| Median | $78,310 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $118,730 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 9,930
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Medical Appliance Technicians
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $47,060
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: >$239,200
Podiatrists
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $152,800
Audiologists
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: $92,120
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.