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Medical Appliance Technicians - 51-9082.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Construct, fit, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices, such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Prosthetics Technician
  • Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician (O and P Technician)
  • Orthotic Technician
  • Registered Prosthetic Orthotic Technician
  • Hearing Aid Repair Technician
  • Lab Technician
  • Prosthetic Lab Technician
  • Fitter
  • Licensed Orthotist Assistant
  • Orthopaedic Technician

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Bend, form, and shape fabric or material to conform to prescribed contours of structural components.
  • Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns.
  • Cover or pad metal or plastic structures or devices, using coverings such as rubber, leather, felt, plastic, or fiberglass.
  • Drill and tap holes for rivets and glue, weld, bolt, or rivet parts together to form prosthetic or orthotic devices.
  • Fit appliances onto patients and make any necessary adjustments.
  • Instruct patients in use of prosthetic or orthotic devices.
  • Lay out and mark dimensions of parts, using templates and precision measuring instruments.
  • Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools.
  • Mix pigments to match patients' skin coloring, according to formulas, and apply mixtures to orthotic or prosthetic devices.
  • Polish artificial limbs, braces, or supports, using grinding and buffing wheels.
  • Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools that will be required.
  • Repair, modify, or maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, or surgical supports, according to specifications.
  • Service or repair machinery used in the fabrication of appliances.
  • Take patients' body or limb measurements for use in device construction.
  • Test medical supportive devices for proper alignment, movement, or biomechanical stability, using meters and alignment fixtures.

Detailed Work Activities

  • construct medical supportive devices
  • examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
  • fit medical supportive devices
  • follow patient care procedures
  • instruct patient in use of supportive device
  • lay out machining, welding or precision assembly projects
  • maintain medical supportive devices
  • make independent judgment in assembly procedures
  • perform safety inspections in health care setting
  • read specifications
  • read technical drawings
  • read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
  • repair medical supportive devices
  • test manufactured products or materials
  • use interpersonal communication techniques
  • use knowledge of medical terminology
  • use sanitation practices in health care settings

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Orthotic Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Orthotic Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Orthotic Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Orthotic Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Orthotic Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Orthotic Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Artificial-Plastic-Eye Maker
  • Orthotics Technician
  • Prosthetics Technician

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Arch-Support Technician
  • Artificial-Plastic-Eye Maker
  • Orthotics Technician
  • Prosthetics Technician