Prosthetist/Orthotist

Class Specifications – H.15
Senior Prosthetist/Orthotist – 9041
Prosthetist/Orthotist – 9042

June, 1973

Series Concept

Prosthetists/orthotists provide care to patients with disabling conditions of the limbs and spine by fitting devices known as orthoses and/or provide care to patients with partial or total absence of limbs by fitting devices known as prostheses; and perform other related duties as required.

Incumbents performing prosthetic care typically assist physicians in the formulation of prescriptions for prostheses; examine and evaluate patients’ prosthetic needs in relation to their disease entities and functional losses; formulate designs for prostheses including selection of materials and components; make all necessary casts, measurements, and model modifications; perform fittings, including static and dynamic aligmnents; evaluate prostheses on patients to assure maximum fit, function, comfort, and workmanship; instruct patients in the use of prostheses; and maintain adequate patient records.

Incumbents performing orthotic care typically assist physicians in the formulation of prescriptions for orthoses; examine and evaluate patients orthotic needs in relation to patients entities and functional losses; formulate designs for orthoses, including selection of materials; make all necessary cast measurements, model modifications, and layouts; perform fittings, including static and dynamic alignments; evaluate orthoses on patients to assure maximum fit, function, cosmesis, and workmanship; instruct patients in the use of ortboses; and maintain adequate patient records.

Incumbents may lecture on and demonstrate the practice of orthotics or prosthetics to other :professional personnel; and may participate in related research activities. Classes in the Prosthetist/ Orthotist series are distinguished from classes in the Brace Maker and Senior Brace and Surgical Instrument Maker series in that incumbents assist physicians in the formulation of prescriptions for prostheses and orthoses. The series consists of two levels. Senior Prosthetist/Orthotist is the lead/ advanced operational level; and Prosthetist/Orthotist is the operational level.

Class Concepts

Senior Prostbetist/Orthotist

Under medical direction incumbents :perform the range of duties outlined in the Series Concept and in addition may direct the work of one or more Prosthetists/ Orthotists and Prosthetic/ Orthotic Assistants Incumbents in this class a.re typica.lJ:.y assigned the more di:f’ficu1t cases requiring the use of advanced operational level skills.

Prosthetist/Orthotist

Under the general supervision of a Senior P-rosthetist/Orthotist, incumbents perform operational level duties as outlined in the Series Concept.

Minimum Qualifications

Senior Prosthetist/Orthotist

Two years of college, certification as a Prosthetist/Orthotist by the American Board for Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics, and two years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Prosthetist/Orthotist

Two years of college, certification as a Prosthetist/Orthotist by the American Board for Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.