Assist patients with disabling conditions of limbs and spine or with partial or total absence of limb by fitting and preparing orthopedic braces or prostheses.

• Orthopedic Assistant
• Orthotics Assistant
• Orthotist
• Prosthetics Assistant
• Prosthetist

• Confer with physicians in order to formulate specifications and prescriptions for orthopedic and/or prosthetic devices.
• Construct and fabricate appliances or supervise others who are constructing the appliances.
• Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions, and examination and measurement of patients.
• Examine, interview, and measure patients in order to determine their appliance needs, and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
• Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
• Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.
• Maintain patients' records.
• Make and modify plaster casts of areas that will be fitted with prostheses or orthoses, for use in the device construction process.
• Publish research findings, and present them at conferences and seminars.
• Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances.
• Research new ways to construct and use orthopedic and prosthetic devices.
• Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
• Show and explain orthopedic and prosthetic appliances to healthcare workers.
• Train and supervise orthopedic and prosthetic assistants and technicians, and other support staff.
• Update skills and knowledge by attending conferences and seminars.

• administer medications or treatments
• analyze medical data
• collect clinical data
• communicate technical information
• fit patients for prosthetic device, using static or dynamic alignment
• identify body response variations
• maintain dental or medical records
• make presentations on health or medical issues
• observe patient condition
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use knowledge of medical terminology
• use sales techniques
• use sanitation practices in health care settings