Also called: Prosthetist, Orthotist, CPO
Designs, builds, and fits artificial limbs and custom braces.
Scans a patient's residual limb, designs a socket on the computer, then works in the lab heating and shaping plastic and carbon fiber. The best moment: watching someone take their first steps on a new leg. Blends medicine, engineering, and craft.
BLS May 2024.
Master's degree, about 7 years after high school. Master's in orthotics and prosthetics, an 18-month residency, and board certification.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, Certification. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Orthotics & Prosthetics, Biomedical Engineering, Kinesiology.
Growing much faster than average (about 10% over 10 years). Much faster than average, driven by diabetes and aging.
Low risk for 10 years. 3D scanning, CAD and printing speed up making sockets; fitting, adjusting and gait training with patients stay human.
Classes: Physics, Anatomy & physiology, Engineering or CAD class, Shop or 3D printing.
Official data: O*NET occupation 29-2091.
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