Overview
Other medical technologists and technicians include medical technologists and technicians, such as dietary technicians, ocularists, prosthetists, orthotists, prosthetic technicians and orthotic technicians. Dietary technicians are employed in health care and commercial food service establishments such as hospitals, extended care facilities, nursing homes, schools, cafeterias and fast food outlets. Ocularists are employed in custom ocular prosthetic laboratories, or they may be self-employed. Prosthetists, orthotists and prosthetic and orthotic technicians are employed in hospitals, clinics, prosthetics and orthotics laboratories, and prosthetic device manufacturing companies. Prosthetists and orthotists may also be self-employed.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Prosthetists and orthotists
Design, fabricate and fit prosthetic and orthotic appliances such as artificial limbs, braces or supports
Interpret physicians' specifications and examine and measure patients to develop working sketches of appliances
Make and modify plaster casts of areas to receive prostheses or orthoses
Fit, adjust and repair appliances
Advise patients in the use and care of prostheses and orthoses
Supervise and direct the activities of prosthetic and orthotic technicians.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$29,009
$45,504
$51,273
Usual Hours Worked Weekly: 31.17
Job openings
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British Columbia
78expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Prosthetists and orthotists require a two-year college program in prosthetics and orthotics technology and three years of supervised practical training.
Certification by the Canadian Board of Certification of Prosthetists and Orthotists (CBCPO) may be required.
Prosthetic and orthotic technicians usually require a two- to three- year college program in prosthetics and orthotics and one to two years of supervised practical training or completion of secondary school and up to four years of supervised practical training under a certified prosthetist or orthotist.
Additional information
Prosthetic and orthotic technicians may become certified prosthetists or orthotists with an additional two years of experience as a registered prosthetic or orthotic technician and completion of certification examinations by the Canadian Board of Certification of Prosthetists and Orthotists.
Certification requirements
Optional: The following certification are optional to practice as Prosthetists and orthotists in B.C.
- Membership with Orthotics Prosthetics Canada
Membership with Orthotics Prosthetics Canada
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work in prosthetics and orthotics in B.C., you may choose to become a member of Orthotics Prosthetics Canada. Eligibility is achieved through completing a combination of: a recognized education program, an internship program, and written and practical exams.
Work Experience
Work experience required
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.