Prosthetist-orthotist
Help people who need an artificial limb or a support for part of their body. Design and fit devices to improve their lives.
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£538
Entry level
£962
Experienced
Monthly
£2,333
Entry level
£4,167
Experienced
Yearly
£28,000
Entry level
£50,000
Experienced
3,900
people are currently employed
Low growth
100 more jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
A day in the life – Prosthetist-orthotist
What it's like
You would help people who need an artificial limb or a device to support or control part of their body.You would create devices which would give them greater independence and could hugely improve their quality of life,
Your work would assist people who find it physically difficult to move. You could work with people recovering from a stroke or who have rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or cerebral palsy.
A prosthesis is a device that replaces a missing part of a person’s body. As a prosthetist, you would design and fit artificial limbs (prostheses) to replace limbs lost through amputation or which are missing at birth.
An orthosis is fitted to an existing part of the body. As an orthotist, you would design and fit surgical appliances (orthoses) such as braces, callipers, neck collars and splints. They support people’s limbs or the spine to relieve pain, help people move or prevent physical conditions getting worse. A person might wear the orthosis permanently or just use it temporarily.
You would:
Assess a patient's needs
Take measurements and use computer modelling to design the prosthesis or orthosis
Explain the design to a technician, who will make it
Fit the device to the patient, making sure it is comfortable
Do follow-up checks with patients to see how they are coping with it
Make sure the appliance or limb is functioning properly
Carry out adjustments or repairs if needed
You would work with other healthcare professionals. Physiotherapists would oversee the patient's exercise regime. Occupational therapists would help the patient understand how to perform daily activities with the device.
You can see more about this role in the NHS on the Prosthetist/orthotist page on the NHS Careers website.
Hours
Environment
Travel
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- making decisions
- taking initiative
- social conscience
- empathising
- problem solving
- designing
- working with technology
- verbal communication
- supporting
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Biology
Chemistry
Engineering Science
Physics
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Foundation Apprenticeship: Engineering
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You need an honours degree (SCQF level 10) or postgraduate qualifications (SCQF level 11) in Prosthetics and orthotics approved by the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Currently in Scotland, only Strathclyde University offers approved courses.
To enter a BSc honours degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics (SCQF level 10) requires National 5 qualifications and Highers at AAAB or AABBB; Advanced Highers in science or engineering might also be of value.
To enter a MSc postgraduate Prosthetics & Orthotics course (SCQF level 11) requires an honours degree in a relevant subjects such science, engineering or medicine.
Qualifications that offer experience in the health, science and technologies such as Laboratory Science (SCQF level 5) or Engineering Skills (SCQF level 4) when applying to courses.
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