You will need to design and fabricate them to match the patient’s requirements. Selecting materials is part of the designing process. You will need to teach the patient on how to properly use and care for their prosthetic devices. Lastly you will need to be able to repair, replace or adjust patient’s prosthetics. Orthotists and prosthetists are two major groupings for similar jobs. However they are slightly different because each focuses on a specific area. An orthotist is one who works primarily with spinal braces, knee braces and other supportive devices. A prosthetist is specifically trained to work with prostheses such as artificial limbs or other body parts. Both are similar overall, but still require different trainings. It is also noteworthy that many people will be considered both and orthotist and a prosthetist.
In the year 2014, there were 8,300 jobs held by these professions. They are expected to grow 23% in the next ten years, which is much faster than most other professions averaging at 7% growth for all professions. With diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the need for more prosthetists has begun to greatly increase. Also with increases in technology, surviving traumatic events is a much more common and expected outcome, even with limb loss which is what prosthetists specialize in helping you to recover