If you have ever thought about becoming an orthotist or prosthetist, then this article could interest you. You will learn everything that could be useful by going through all these topics: what is it like to be an orthotist prosthetist, what they do, what they do on a topical day, where they work, education required, salary, additional training, work dangers, retirement.
Being an orthotist or a prosthetist is being implicated in a team of healthcare professionals which includes physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and social workers. All these are essential for successful rehabilitation treatments. To make it possible, they must frequently communicate and be aware of the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of the patient.
Orthotists and prosthetists are healthcare professionals that participate in the rehabilitation of different types of injuries or illnesses. A prosthetist will reconstitute a member that has been amputated after cancer, diabetes, or physical injury. His main purpose is to allow the patient to regain the function of walking he had before. In contrast, an orthotist will support a member of a patient with physical restrictions because of neurological or musculoskeletal conditions. His rehabilitation objective is to restore the function that has been lost.
Orthotists and prosthetists have scrutinized the member, measure it, and asked questions to the patient to determine aspects that will influence the appliance’s needs and fit. They will search for good material and components depending on the information collected and the design chosen. After the confection is finished, they will evaluate if it fits on the patient by trying it on. Some adjustments can be made to provide suitable, functional, and comfortable devices. They also make sure the patient knows how to take care of it and how to use probably the appliance. After the consultation, orthotists and prosthetists must keep records of all patients.
Orthotists and prosthetists can work in many environments in the healthcare field depending on their specific interests. They have a lot of possibilities, such as manufacturing companies offering ambulatories, medical equipment, and supplies, care stores, hospitals, universities, and the federal government.
These health professionals must complete firstly a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area for this field. Then, to establish primary knowledge to serve patients well, they must complete a master’s degree in orthotics and prosthetics field certified by CAAHEP. Once finished, they must complete a residency program in the orthotics or prosthetist field which is certified by NCOPE. Sometimes the students want to be specialized in both fields. In this case, they complete two residencies for two years or a combined residency of eighteen months.
Prosthetists and orthotists will benefit from an starting salary of $75.164 per year. Obviously, the salary rests on factors like education, the cumulative level of experience, opportunities available, and the location where the person applied. Without forgetting that they can benefit from insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and even more, depending on where they are working.
To practice in this field, orthotists and prosthetists must complete a certification and license depending on their locations. It requires to pass those three exams this certification includes.
The environment of the orthotist and prosthetist can be dangerous. Indeed, they are uncovered to risky equipment and conditions, contamination by illness, infection, and toxin substances.
For the next 15 years, 29% of elderly orthotists prosthetists will be retiring around 65.
So far, I have been studying Orthotics and Prosthetics for almost 2 years at Montmorency College. Next year, I will do an internship to complete my program and obtain my diploma. After, I plan to apply at a kid hospital to work specifically in the prosthetic field.
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Authority: research journal
Date: recently published
Accuracy: probably true
Relevance: relevant for this document
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