Best-Kept-Secret Career: Orthotist/Prosthetist

By Marty Nemko

December 11, 2008 RSS Feed Print

Snapshot: These careers are related: the orthotist fabricates and fits custom-designed orthopedic braces. A prosthetist designs, creates, and custom-fits artificial limbs—from eyes to feet.

Getting there: This career requires a combination of science, hand skills, patience, and increasingly, a master's degree. Demand is projected to be high.

Learn more: American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Career Brochure

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When I worked with special-needs children, I often helped arrange appointments and follow-up visits wuth the Orthos at local children's hospitals and the local shriner's hospital (Scottish Rite). They were terrific and worked closely with the OT's and PT's. Try looking at those locations in your area.

Pam of TX 7:33PM October 31, 2009

I have completed the technician training and have not been able to find a job. I agree that O/P is a very fascinating field and I would love to put my studies and hard work to work any suggestions would be appreciated.

David Stevens of MI 8:27PM October 30, 2009

I am a CPO (Certified Prosthetist Orthotist) and also a lecturer at our University. There is a world wide shortage of us, especially here in Africa. All our students have jobs when they finish studying and there are currently no unemployed CPO'S in the whole of South Africa. It is an exciting and extremely rewarding career and I can honestly say that in my 22 years of O&P, I have yet to be bored in this career. You have to have good marks in Maths, science and biology to get into the course and you have to be a dynamic helpful person with good people skills. Good luck if you want to become an Orthotist Prosthetist!

Courtney Snyman 3:31AM October 14, 2009

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