Prosthetist Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Are you searching for a prosthetist job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a prosthetist. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a prosthetist.
Who is a Prosthetist?
A prosthetist is a medical expert in charge of treating patients with prosthetics and orthotics and has the authority to oversee and guide other staff members’ work. They are clinicians skilled in determining the user’s needs, prescribing care, establishing the precise technical requirements for orthoses and prostheses, taking measurements and images of body parts, creating models for evaluations, fitting devices, and assessing the effectiveness of therapy.
To ascertain customer requirements, a prosthetist closely collaborates with doctors, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. They make note of the type of prostheses that have been suggested for their patients and take measurements. They locate the appropriate prosthesis and then adjust it to match the injured limbs or body portions of the customers. They are also in charge of the prosthesis’ continuing care and any necessary corrections. When a doctor’s suggested prosthesis is unavailable, it is up to the prosthetist to come up with the best alternatives or modify already existing designs to make the prosthesis fit.
A prosthetist offers a prosthesis for persons who have had their arms or legs amputated or were born without limbs.
To understand the patient’s requirements and objectives, you would work closely with them. For instance, some prostheses are created especially for a certain purpose or activity, like sports.
You would create a model of the surviving limb where the prosthetic limb will be inserted after taking the patient’s measurements. Once you create the prosthesis, you would fit it to verify comfort and functionality.
You will offer guidance while collaborating with physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists to ensure the patient receives the right rehabilitation and aftercare assistance.
Prosthetist Job Description
What is a prosthetist job description? A prosthetist job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of a prosthetist in an organization. Below are the prosthetist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a prosthetist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of the prosthetist include the following:
- Evaluate patients to understand their issues and how a medical gadget might help them move more freely and live better lives.
- Examine movement to find any biomechanical irregularities (this is commonly called gait analysis).
- Evaluate muscular strength and joint range of motion.
- Make a treatment plan and decide on your future objectives, which may involve using an orthosis or prosthesis (artificial limbs) (brace)
- Prescribe, measure, engineer, and create a prosthesis, an orthosis, and footwear to address the needs indicated.
- Capture shapes via plaster, digital photography, 3D scanning, and CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/modeling) to create a model.
- Communicate with the technicians who will produce the orthosis or prosthesis
- Adjust prostheses as necessary to achieve optimal alignment, walking, and functionality, and assess the effects of any adjustments.
- Discuss the effects of wearing new orthoses or prostheses with patients, and assist them in getting used to their new equipment.
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, podiatrists, occupational therapists, and technicians to assist in managing patients’ rehabilitation.
Qualifications
- A high school certificate, GED, or its equivalent
- Complete a relevant degree, such as a Bachelor of Health Science with a prosthetics extended major or a Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Experience through internship or apprenticeship
Essential Skills
Here are the skills you require in your career to excel as a prosthetist:
- Detail-orientation
- Communication
- Prosthetics Design
- Dexterity
- Patient Assessment
- Gait Analysis
- Creativity
- Marketing
- Office and Proper Management
- Orthotic Tools
- Patience
- Problem-solving
- Prosthetics Fabrication
- Prosthetic Maintenance
Detail-orientation
When making a prosthetic limb, prosthetists need to be able to pay meticulous attention to detail. For the finished product to fit comfortably on the patient’s body, they must ensure that the measurements they collect are correct and that all of their labor is exact. They may produce limbs that seem natural and integrate with the patient’s body by paying attention to detail.
Communication
Communication is the ability for you to transfer clear and succinct information from one medium to another. Patients frequently consult prosthetists regarding their ailment, available treatments, and the making of a prosthetic limb procedure. They also speak with health insurance providers to ensure they have enough money for supplies and equipment. You may apply communication skills when cooperating with an engineer to develop a new kind of prosthetic device or with other members of a medical team.
Prosthetics Design
Prosthetists use their design expertise to produce appealing and comfortable prosthetic limbs. They frequently collaborate with engineers who create the mechanical components of the limb, so they must be able to see the final result. To effectively convey their thoughts to engineers, prosthetists also need to know how to sketch or model the prosthesis.
Dexterity
The ability to use your hands and body precisely is known as dexterity. Dexterity is a skill that prosthetists frequently need while handling small objects, tools, or equipment. They also apply this ability while designing prosthetic limbs for activities like writing and buttoning garments that call for fine motor abilities.
Patient Assessment
Prosthetists evaluate patients’ requirements and preferences using their expertise in patient evaluation. These skills are also used in the creation of prosthetic limbs since they need to comprehend the function of the severed body part before the treatment and how it was previously. This enables them to produce a limb that performs almost the same duties as the original body component. Prosthetists must pay close attention to what their patients say so they can understand any difficulties they may experience with their new limbs.
Gait Analysis
Gait analysis is the practice of observing a person’s gait to ascertain the kind of prosthetic device the individual requires. When making prosthetic limbs, prosthetists employ gait analysis to ensure their patients have tools that allow them to walk normally. Gait analysis calls for meticulousness and the capacity to pick up on minute shifts in body language.
Creativity
When designing and constructing prosthetic limbs, prosthetists exercise ingenuity. They frequently collaborate with patients to design distinctive prostheses that capture the patient’s character, way of life, and physical requirements. For instance, someone who likes outdoor activities could require a waterproof prosthetic limb, but someone who works in an office might want one that enables keyboard input.
Marketing
Prosthetists employ sales and marketing expertise to get new customers, sell products, and advertise their services. They frequently collaborate with doctors or physical therapists who send patients their way for limb-regeneration treatments. Prosthetists may need to actively promote themselves on social media, websites, brochures, and other promotional materials to get these recommendations.
Office & Proper Management
O&P business management is the capacity to oversee a flourishing prosthetics firm. This involves handling your practice’s money, setting up appointments, and ensuring your patients are happy with their visits. It is critical to possess excellent organizational skills and the capacity for multitasking to operate a successful practice as a self-employed person.
Orthotic Tools
Custom-made foot supports called orthotic devices can assist amputees in maintaining stability and balance. Prosthetists frequently make orthotics to meet the particular requirements of their patients, which calls for meticulous attention to detail and a grasp of anatomy. Orthotics also provide prosthetists the ability to create more comfortable prosthetic limbs for their patients, which can enhance patient results and satisfaction.
Patience
Prosthetists frequently treat patients with physical restrictions to ensure they offer the best service possible while dealing with their clients; they must be empathetic and patient. This calls on them to pay close attention to the needs of their clients, to inquire about those needs, and to take the time to understand each client’s desires. Additionally, it implies that prosthetists should be able to explain a device’s operation or why it might not be effective for a certain client.
Problem Solving
Prosthetists need problem-solving abilities to overcome any obstacles they may encounter when building a gadget. For instance, if a person’s limb is too short, a prosthetist needs to be able to come up with solutions to make up for the length discrepancy and design a useful tool that will enable the person to move around more freely.
Prosthetics Fabrication
The prosthetic devices that prosthetists supply to patients are made with manufacturing expertise. This entails creating a device that fits the patient’s body, matches their skin tone, and gives them the movement they require using computer-aided design software and other technologies. Making molds for casting the device’s components and ensuring all the pieces are compatible are also included in fabrication.
Prosthetic Maintenance
The prostheses that prosthetists design frequently require maintenance. This includes maintaining them and making any necessary repairs. It’s crucial for patient happiness that your work lasts for a long period, which maintenance skills may assist assure. To periodically check on patients to ensure they are keeping their prostheses properly, you may need to teach them how to properly care for them.
How to Become a Prosthetist
Below are the steps to take to become a prosthetist:
Step One: Finish High School
If you are still in high school, you need to pass your English, maths, and science-related subjects to consider going for a course in prosthetics. With these credentials, you may be able to apply for a prosthetics and orthotics bachelor’s degree or an apprenticeship.
Step Two: Acquire a Bachelor’s Degree
The anatomy and physiology of the human body, biomechanics (which includes learning how to calculate the forces imposed by prosthetics), the materials used in prostheses, the design and manufacturing process, and patient management are all topics covered in this degree. Prosthetics undergraduate degrees require three to four years to finish. Assessments frequently involve written tests after the course, clinical evaluations, and coursework. Another requirement can be a dissertation.
Step Three: Request an Apprenticeship
It is possible to apply for apprenticeships without first completing a degree program. These apprenticeship programs integrate theoretical and practical training while providing on-the-job instruction. They provide you with a glimpse into what a prosthetist’s everyday routine comprises.
Step Four: Acquire Work Experience
After finishing your degree or apprenticeship, you can apply for work. Look for employment prospects in clinics, hospitals, prosthesis manufacturing companies, and nonprofit organizations that assist veterans.
Step Five: Keep Learning
To keep your registration as a prosthetist, you might need to enroll in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) classes. CPD entails routinely upgrading your knowledge and abilities by attending seminars and training events. Additionally, you have the option of earning a graduate degree. Two degrees are available for application:
Step Six: Join Reputable Organizations
You can engage with other prosthetists on a platform provided by joining a professional organization. You can participate in conferences, seminars, and other activities hosted by applying for membership. Additionally, you may receive information on job opportunities and enjoy free access to publications.
Where to Work as a Prosthetist
Prosthetic therapies are becoming increasingly necessary, in part because of increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and aging populations. Medical equipment and supplies factories, health and personal care shops, ambulatory healthcare services, state, local, and private hospitals, private clinics, and the federal government are the businesses and firms where prosthetists can work in.
You might work in large settings or private offices. Most of the time, you will be employed full-time and during a set shift, which is often during regular business hours. You will assist with the preparation of the prosthesis, which might expose you to health or safety risks. You must adhere to the proper safety precautions, which include donning masks, and gloves.
Prosthetist Salary Scale
The average prosthetist pay in the United States is $84,434, however, the range frequently lies between $69,972 and $99,049.
The annual income for prosthetists in the United Kingdom ranges from £19,232 to £44,359. The average salary is £31,321.
In Canada, a prosthetist makes an average of CA$77,145 a year, or CA$39.56 an hour. Most experienced professionals earn up to CA$79,959 per year, while entry-level roles start at CA$39,000.
In Australia, the typical prosthetist earns AU$94,748 per year or AU$48.59 per hour. The more experienced ones may earn up to AU$113,173 per year, while entry-level roles start at AU$79,500.
In Germany, a prosthetist makes an average salary of €60,963 per year and €29 per hour. A prosthetist may expect to make between €42,430 and €74,191 annually.
A prosthetist may expect to make between €36,882 and €64,490 per year on average in Ireland.
In Nigeria, a prosthetist’s monthly salary can range from ₦298,000 to ₦922,000.
The salary scale of a Prosthetist might differ significantly depending on various crucial aspects, including education, location, certifications, skills, and expertise in the field.