HealthcareISCO 3214
Prosthetist-orthotist
Prosthetist-orthotists design and custom fit prostheses and orthoses for individuals who are missing a limb from accident, disease or congenital conditions or for individuals who have impairments, deficiences or weaknesses due to injury, pathology or congenital malformation. They mix patient care with the design and fabrication of these devices to address their patients' needs.
Check yourself in a minute: prosthetist-orthotist
Rate 5 of the 22 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
record healthcare users' progress related to treatment
answer patients' questions
contribute to the rehabilitation process
collect healthcare user's general data
comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (22)
kineticskineticsThe study of movement and its causes.prosthetic devicesprosthetic devicesThe various artificial replacements of body parts or limbs, which were lost during a trauma, disease or an accident.rehabilitationrehabilitationThe methods and procedures used to help an ill or injured person restore lost skills and regain self-sufficiency and control.biomechanicsbiomechanicsThe use of mechanical means to understand the function and structure of biological organisms.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...archive healthcare users' recordsarchive healthcare users' recordsProperly store the health records of healthcare users, including test results and case notes so that they are easily retrieved when required.record healthcare users' progress related to treatmentrecord healthcare users' progress related to treatmentRecord the healthcare user's progress in response to treatment by observing, listening and measuring outcomes.answer patients' questionsanswer patients' questionsRespond in a friendly and professional manner to all inquiries from current or potential patients, and their families, of a healthcare establishment.contribute to the rehabilitation processcontribute to the rehabilitation processContribute to the rehabilitation process to enhance activity, functioning and participation using a person-centered and evidence-based approach.communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.collect healthcare user's general datacollect healthcare user's general dataCollect qualitative and quantitative data related to the healthcare user's anagraphic data and provide support on filling out the present and past history questionnaire and record the measures/tests p...comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.create lifecastscreate lifecastsUse specialised products such as silicones to create moulds of a person's hand, face, or other body parts in a process called lifecasting. Use moulds or other materials to create medical devices in th...design medical supportive devicesdesign medical supportive devicesCompose, create and evaluate orthopaedic and prosthetic devices after consulting with physicians, examining and measuring the patient in order to determine the size of the artificial limb.interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.advise on rehabilitation exercisesadvise on rehabilitation exercisesEducate and advise on rehabilitation exercises to aid long-term recovery, teaching the appropriate techniques to ensure health is maintained.modify lifecastsmodify lifecastsFix and appropriately modify lifecasts to ensure their accuracy.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...instruct patients on supportive devicesinstruct patients on supportive devicesInform patients on the utilisation and care of orthoses and protheses.
Optional (33) — show
hygiene in a health care settinghygiene in a health care settingThe procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipmen...medical terminologymedical terminologyThe meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.orthopaedicsorthopaedicsOrthopaedics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.human physiologyhuman physiologyThe science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.orthoticsorthoticsThe manufacture and design of devices used to modify structural functions of the skeletal system.pedorthicspedorthicsConditions that affect the feet and lower limbs, and the modification of footwear and supportive devices used to help fix these issues.medical informaticsmedical informaticsThe processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.orthopaedic conditionsorthopaedic conditionsThe physiology, pathophysiology, pathology, and natural history of common orthopaedic conditions and injuries.types of orthopedic suppliestypes of orthopedic suppliesVarious types of orthopaedic supplies such as braces and arm supports, used for physical therapy or physical rehabilitation.pathologypathologyThe components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.prosthetic-orthotic device materialsprosthetic-orthotic device materialsThe materials used to create prosthetic-orthotic devices such as polymers, thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather. In the choice of materials, attention must be paid to me...first aidfirst aidThe emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.place orders for orthopedic productsplace orders for orthopedic productsOrder specialised orthopaedic materials and supplies for the store; maintain the company stock.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.manipulate plasticmanipulate plasticManipulate the properties, shape and size of plastic.assist patients with rehabilitationassist patients with rehabilitationAssist to develop and restore patient`s body systems, their neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, helping them in the rehabilitation process.recommend orthotic devicesrecommend orthotic devicesSuggest patients to use tailor-made insoles, padding and arch supports to relieve feet pain.manipulate woodmanipulate woodManipulate the properties, shape and size of wood.repair prosthetic-orthotic devicesrepair prosthetic-orthotic devicesPerform repairs, fix and modify prosthetic-orthotic devices according to the specifications.manipulate prosthetic-orthotic device materialsmanipulate prosthetic-orthotic device materialsAlter the materials used for prosthetic-orthotic devices such as metal alloys, stainless steel, composites or polymer glass.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.develop therapeutic relationshipsdevelop therapeutic relationshipsMaintain the individual therapeutic relationship to engage the individual's innate healing capacities, to achieve active collaboration in the health education and healing process and to maximise the p...finish prosthetic-orthotic devicesfinish prosthetic-orthotic devicesComplete the manufacturing of prosthetic and orthotic devices by sanding, smoothing, applying paint or lacquer layers, stuffing and covering some parts with leather or textiles.record data from biomedical testsrecord data from biomedical testsUse information technology to accurately record and analyse data from biomedical tests, writing reports on the data and sharing results with the appropriate persons.recommend orthopedic goods to customers depending on their conditionrecommend orthopedic goods to customers depending on their conditionRecommend and provide advice on orthopaedic goods and pieces of equipment such as braces, slings or elbow supports. Provide individual advice depending on customer's specific condition and needs.perform a prosthetic examination of the patientperform a prosthetic examination of the patientExamine, interview and measure patients to determine the kind and size of prosthetic and orthotic devices that have to be made.identify patients' medical recordsidentify patients' medical recordsLocate, retrieve and present medical records, as requested by authorized medical personnel.maintain prosthetic-orthotic devicesmaintain prosthetic-orthotic devicesEnsure that all prosthetic-orthotic devices are properly stored and taken care of so they maintain their functionality and appearance.test prosthetic-orthotic devicestest prosthetic-orthotic devicesEnsure that the prosthetic-orthotic devices fit the patient according to specifications. Test and evaluate them to ensure that they work as intended. Make adjustments to ensure proper fit, function an...work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.repair orthopedic goodsrepair orthopedic goodsReplace and repair orthopaedic material such as prostheses, technical supports and rehabilitation aids.modify casts for prosthesesmodify casts for prosthesesFabricate and fit casts for prostheses for patients with partial or total absence of limb; measure, model and produce casts for prostheses and evaluate their fit on the patient.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a prosthetist-orthotist do?
Prosthetist-orthotists design and custom fit prostheses and orthoses for individuals who are missing a limb from accident, disease or congenital conditions or for individuals who have impairments, deficiences or weaknesses due to injury, pathology or congenital malformation. They mix patient care with the design and fabrication of these devices to address their patients' needs.
What skills does a prosthetist-orthotist need?
A prosthetist-orthotist needs 22 essential skills, including kinetics, prosthetic devices, rehabilitation, biomechanics, human anatomy.
Will AI replace prosthetist-orthotist jobs?
The AI disruption score for prosthetist-orthotist is 17/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: medical terminology, record data from biomedical tests, archive healthcare users' records. Most resilient: prosthetic devices, develop therapeutic relationships, assist patients with rehabilitation.
AI Replacement Risk
17/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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