Skip navigation

Medical Appliance Technicians - 51-9082.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Construct, fit, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices, such as braces, artificial limbs, 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 and devices, using coverings such as rubber, leather, felt, plastic, or fiberglass.
  • Drill and tap holes for rivets and glue, weld, bolt, and 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 and power tools.
  • Mix pigments to match patients' skin coloring, according to formulas, and apply mixtures to orthotic or prosthetic devices.
  • Polish artificial limbs, braces, and 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, and maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, and surgical supports, according to specifications.
  • Service and 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, and 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