Many people think medical and nursing careers are the only paths available in the healthcare industry, but this is not true. Professions like prosthetics and orthotists also have promising careers in the medical field.
Prosthetics careers can offer good opportunities and substantial income. In this article, we will explore the options available in this field, the job outlook, and the benefits of a career in prosthetics.
What is Prosthetics?
Prosthetics is a healthcare specialization field that focuses on designing, creating, and fitting artificial body parts for individuals who have lost limbs due to any injury, disease, or birth effects. People who design these parts are known as prosthetists. They have a deep understanding of anatomy, biomechanics, and materials science.
The overall goal of the prosthetics field is to help patients recover mobility in their body parts and enjoy daily life. This profession uses a multidisciplinary approach, including several engineering principles, to develop suitable prosthetic devices.
What are the Educational Requirements to Build a Career in Prosthetics?
To enter the prosthetics field, you require a Master’s degree in prosthetics from a well-reputed institution. A significant portion of this program involves hands-on clinical experience in several settings, such as hospitals, prosthetic clinics, and rehabilitation centers.
Prosthetics education includes a strong foundation in biological sciences, engineering principles, clinical practice, and comprehensive critical rotations. The curriculum covers topics such as human anatomy, prosthetic design, fitting and alignment, fabrication, rehabilitation psychology, and ethical considerations.
Before pursuing a master’s degree, it is essential to obtain an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in prosthetics technology. The associate’s degree program lasts upto two years while the bachelor’s degree requires 4 years. Some institutions also offer a joint bachelor’s and master’s degree program.
After getting this degree, the next step is a residency program certified by the NCOPE (National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education). This residency lasts a year, and if you want to maintain your license and practice in this field, you must continue your education.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Prosthetist
The prosthetics field includes designing, making, and fitting devices in the human body. Here are some vital duties and responsibilities of a professional prosthetist:
- Patient Evaluation: Understanding patient needs by conducting interviews and physical examinations
- Measurement and Casting: Taking precise measurements of the residual limb
- Design and Fabrication: Selecting appropriate material to design a customized prosthetic device
- Fitting and Alignment: Fitting the device to the patient and ensuring comfort by making necessary adjustments.
- Patient Education: Teaching patients how to use and care for their prostheses properly
- Progress Monitoring: Regularly monitoring patient’s progress to optimize function
- Device Maintenance and Repair: Performing repairs and replacements on the prothetic device
Benefits of Building a Career in Prosthetics
There are several benefits of exploring a career in the prosthetics field. Some of them are as follows:
- A good source of income
- Diverse work settings
- Career flexibility and transferable skills
- Positive job outlook
- Potential for reasearch and development
