More information from O*NET OnLine:

Medical Appliance Technicians - 51-9082.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Construct, 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

Certified Pedorthotist
Hearing Aid Repair Technician
Lab Technician
Orthopedic Technician
Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician (O and P Technician)

Orthotic Technician
Prosthetic Technician
Prosthetics Technician
Registered Prosthetic Orthotic Technician

SOC Occupation Groups

51-0000	Production Occupations
51-9000	Other Production Occupations
51-9080	Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians
51-9082.00	Medical Appliance Technicians

Related Occupations

17-3028.00	Calibration Technologists and Technicians Bright Outlook
29-2055.00	Surgical Technologists
31-9093.00	Medical Equipment Preparers
49-9062.00	Medical Equipment Repairers
51-2022.00	Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
51-2041.00	Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
51-4122.00	Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
51-9081.00	Dental Laboratory Technicians
51-9083.00	Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
51-9195.00	Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic

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 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

Adjust fabrics or other materials during garment production.
Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
Cast molds of patient anatomies to create medical or dental devices.
Construct customized assistive medical or dental devices.
Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
Inspect medical or dental assistive devices.
Instruct patients in the use of assistive equipment.
Measure clients to ensure proper product fit.
Mix ingredients to create specific finishes.
Operate grinding equipment.
Operate welding equipment.
Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products.
Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
Repair medical or dental assistive devices.
Repair production equipment or tools.