Medical Appliance Technician

Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Certified Orthotist (CO); Certified Pedorthotist; Certified Prosthetist (CP); Hearing Aid Repair Technician (Hearing Aid Repair Tech); Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech); Orthopedic Technician (Orthopedic Tech); Orthotic Technician (Orthotic Tech); Prosthetic Lab Tech (Prosthetic Laboratory Technician); Prosthetic Technician (Prosthetic Tech); Registered Prosthetic Orthotic Technician (Registered Prosthetic Orthotic Tech)

Tasks

• Repair, modify, or maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, or surgical supports, according to specifications.
• Polish artificial limbs, braces, or supports, using grinding and buffing wheels.
• Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns.
• Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools required.
• Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools.
• Bend, form, and shape fabric or material to conform to prescribed contours of structural components.
• Test medical supportive devices for proper alignment, movement, or biomechanical stability, using meters and alignment fixtures.
• Drill and tap holes for rivets, and glue, weld, bolt, or rivet parts together to form prosthetic or orthotic devices.
• Lay out and mark dimensions of parts, using templates and precision measuring instruments.
• Cover or pad metal or plastic structures or devices, using coverings such as rubber, leather, felt, plastic, or fiberglass.
• Order parts or supplies for orthotic or prosthetic devices.
• Mix pigments to match patients' skin coloring, according to formulas, and apply mixtures to orthotic or prosthetic devices.
• Service or repair machinery used in the fabrication of appliances.

Knowledge

• Mechanical
• Production and Processing
• Design
• Administrative
• Engineering and Technology
• Administration and Management
• English Language
• Mathematics

Skills

• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Monitoring
• Active Learning

Abilities

• Near Vision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Visualization
• Oral Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Finger Dexterity
• Oral Expression
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Speech Clarity
• Inductive Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Control Precision
• Speech Recognition
• Category Flexibility
• Multilimb Coordination
• Written Expression