Orthotist

What is an Orthotist?

Duties

• Prescribe, design, fit and assess surgical orthoses such as braces, callipers, artificial limbs and splints.
• Take a mold of the patient’s body part and use computer modelling technology to craft an orthotic device
• Explain best practices to patients on using and caring for the device, and provide follow-up checks with patients
• Carry our repairs or updates to existing orthoses
• Edit and update patient records based on patient care given

Day in the life

Working as an orthotist, your daily goal is to understand a patient’s main cause of discomfort and then working with health professionals to design the best possible orthotic support. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of people, including children and senior adults.

Further, it is likely that you may encounter a wide range of medical conditions as an orthotist, such as Diabetes, Arthritis, Cerebral Palsy, Stroke, Scoliosis, sports injuries and trauma. By designing orthosis devices, you will play a role in aiding such patients in maintaining a greater degree of mobility and comfort. Your day can also involve taking precise measurements of a patient’s foot and ensuring that the special footwear is fitted accurately.

Another responsibility that is important as an orthotist, is custom designing an orthotic device or product as required, for example, for an older individual who requires special footwear and insoles to ease the pain associated with certain medical conditions and deformities. Further, your role requires you to clearly instruct patients on the best way to maintain and care for their orthoses.

Work schedule and typical hours

Orthotists work in offices, where they meet with patients, and design orthotic devices. Working hours can be standard, approximately 37.5 and 40 hours a week Monday to Friday. One might have to work different shifts, such as evenings, nights or during weekends. If working at a private clinic, an orthoptist can work evenings or weekends more often than not to suit the availability of specific clients.

There is minor risk with regard to health hazards when handling some materials, but injury can be avoided if workers follow proper protocols, such as wearing goggles, gloves, and masks.

Growth of the job

Employment of orthotists is expected to grow 23 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. The increasing population will result in a need for jobs like orthotists. Job prospects will be better with professional certification. While not a mandatory requirement, certification shows an advanced level of training and dedication to the job role.

Diseases and medical conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease are on the rise and are the two major causes of limb loss among older people. Other conditions that will be treated by orthotists more frequently includes arthritis, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, stroke and scoliosis. Patients who have suffered serious trauma like accident victims or military veterans, will continue to need orthotists to create devices that aid the patients’ movement and improves functionality.

Typical employers

Orthotist’s work in the medical field at major hospitals and clinics, private orthotic healthcare facilities and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs). A number of individuals in this job sector also find work at academic institutions and research areas in major tertiary hospitals and universities.