Occupation Summary

Orthotists and Prosthetists

O*NET 29-2091.00

Description:

Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.

Annual Wages:
$80,143.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 22.28%.
Education Level:
Master's Degree. According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Public Service, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM)

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


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Orthotists and Prosthetists employed Annual Growth Rate
Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing 33 2.32
Offices of other health practitioners 19.5 1.01
Health and personal care retailers 13.2 1.44
General medical and surgical hospitals 7.2 0.00
Offices of physicians 6.1 0.00
Outpatient care centers 3.1 2.92


Labor Market Information


2023 Statewide average hourly wage $38.53
2023 National average hourly wage $38.70
2022 National employment 9,500
2022 Texas employment 624
Texas projected employment by 2032 763
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 60




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
91.40%
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
86.00%
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
79.00%
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
79.00%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
77.20%
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
77.00%
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
76.20%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
76.00%
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
75.00%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
73.40%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
80.00%
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
80.00%
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
80.00%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
80.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
80.00%
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
75.00%
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
75.00%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
75.00%
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
75.00%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
67.60%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
80.00%
Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
80.00%
Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
80.00%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
80.00%
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
80.00%
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
80.00%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
80.00%
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
77.60%
Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
77.60%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
75.00%


  • Documenting/Recording Information
    -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Assisting and Caring for Others
    -- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
    -- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Other Activities


  • Independence
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
  • Relationships
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.



Tools

Alignment jig: Vertical transfer jigs;

Anvils: Anvils;

Automatic lathe or chucking machine: Workshop lathes;

Belt sander: Belt sanders;

Bench vises: Workshop bench vises;

Bending machines: Bending irons;

Calipers: Digital calipers;

Cast cutters or saws: Cast cutters; Cast spreaders;

Claw hammer: Claw hammers;

Deburring tool: Deburring tools;

Desktop computers: Desktop computers;

Digital camcorders or video cameras: Digital video cameras;

Electro pneumatic transducers: Pressure transducers;

Electromyography EMG units: Electromyographs EMG;

Goggles: Safety goggles;

Goniometers or arthrometers: Goniometers or arthrometers;

Half round file: Half-round files;

Hand reamer: Tube reamers;

Heat guns: Workshop heat guns;

Hex keys: Allen wrenches;

Laboratory mechanical convection ovens: Laboratory air circulating ovens;

Laboratory safety ovens: Infrared laboratory ovens;

Levels: Laser levels;

Masks or accessories: Dust masks;

Medical exam or non surgical procedure gloves: Medical examination protective gloves;

Medical tape measures: Medical measuring tapes;

Mill saw file: Single-cut mill saw files;

Notebook computers: Laptop computers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers: Personal digital assistants PDA;

Pipe or tube cutter: Tube cutters;

Pipe vises: Pipe clamps;

Power buffers: Power buffers;

Power drills: Power drills;

Power grinders: Grinding machines;

Power planes: Power planers;

Power routers: Variable speed routers; Trautman routers;

Power sanders: Power sanders;

Power saws: Circular saws;

Pressure indicators: Force platforms;

Protractors: Digital protractors;

Punching pliers: Revolving punch pliers;

Rasps: Hand rasps;

Rulers: Precision rulers;

Scanners: Laser scanners; Digitizers;

Sewing machines: Industrial sewing machines;

Shears: Shears;

Spot welding machine: Welders;

Surgical isolation or surgical masks: Surgical masks;

Tablet computers: Tablet computers;

Tongs: Holding tongs;

Traveling column milling machine: Computer numerical controlled CNC milling machines;

Utility knives: Scarpas knives; Utility knives;

Vacuum molding machines: Vacuum molding systems; Vacuum presses;


Technology

Accounting software: Intuit QuickBooks;

Computer aided design CAD software: Ohio Willow Wood OMEGA Tracer System; Alibre Design; Autodesk AutoCAD; Polhemus FastSCAN; Seattle Systems Shapemaker; Vorum Research Corporation CANFIT-PLUS; Infinity CAD Systems AutoSculpt;

Computer aided manufacturing CAM software: Computer aided manufacturing CAM software;

Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook; Email software;

Graphics or photo imaging software: Computer graphics software;

Internet browser software: Web browser software;

Medical software: American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association CodingPro; Artsco OrthoPro Complete; Futura International O.P.S.; Gait analysis software; Gez Bowman THE O&P HUB; Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS; OPIE Practice Management Suite; Patient management software; MedePresence; MedEvolve eCeno;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Orthotists and Prosthetists include:
  • 29-1181.00 Audiologists
  • 51-9082.00 Medical Appliance Technicians
  • 29-1023.00 Orthodontists
  • 29-1242.00 Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
  • 29-2043.00 Paramedics
  • 29-1229.04 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
  • 31-2021.00 Physical Therapist Assistants
  • 29-1123.00 Physical Therapists
  • 29-1081.00 Podiatrists
  • 29-1024.00 Prosthodontists


Sources of Additional Information
  • For more information about orthotists and prosthetists, visit: American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists
  • For a list of accredited programs for orthotists and prosthetists, visit: Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
  • For a list of accredited residency programs for orthotists and prosthetists, visit: National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education
  • For more information about certification for orthotists and prosthetists, visit: American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics
  • Board of Certification/Accreditation
  • Orthotists and Prosthetists

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.