Prosthetist and orthotist
Prosthetists and orthotists use the latest technology to transform the lives of patients who need prosthetics or aids. They empower people to move, run, walk or simply stand independently.
Prosthetists and orthotists use the latest technology to transform the lives of patients who need prosthetics or aids. They empower people to move, run, walk or simply stand independently.
As a prosthetist or orthotist, you’ll care for people who need an artificial limb or a device to support or control part of their body. You’ll witness and be a part of a patient’s emotional and rewarding journey towards independence.
As an orthotist, you’ll make and fit braces and splints (orthoses) for people who need added support. This might be to help body parts that have been weakened by injury, disease or disorders of the nerves, muscles, and bones.
As a prosthetist, you’ll make and fit artificial limbs (prostheses) for people with disabilities. This includes artificial legs and arms for people who have had amputations due to conditions such as cancer, diabetes or an injury.
Prosthetists and orthotists have quite different roles, but both aim to improve people’s ability to move freely. As a prosthetist, you’ll create and fit artificial replacements for patients who are missing a limb. As an orthotist, you’ll correct problems or deformities in nerves, muscles, and bones.
The work is quite varied and may include:
Your standard working week will be around 37.5 hours and may include a mix of shifts, such as nights, early starts, evenings and weekends.
If you work in the NHS, you’ll be paid on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, typically starting on band 5.
You will be able to claim £2,000 a year towards childcare costs through the NHS Learning Support Fund, and there’s funding available for adult dependants and some placement travel costs too. If you have a disability, there are grants to help with essential costs while studying via the Disabled Students’ Allowance.
If working on the NHS you will have access to one of the best pension schemes in the UK, as well as access to exclusive health service discounts and benefits at some of the most popular brands.
Once you’ve qualified and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, you can choose to specialise as a prosthetist or an orthotist.
You’ll receive an annual personal development review to ensure you’re making the most of every opportunity offered. And with continuous professional development, you can add to your skills and progress to specialist roles with a higher pay grade.
You may also join the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO), where you can keep your skills up-to-date with courses, conferences, and seminars.
You may choose to specialise in sports injury, diabetes, forensic podiatry or working with children. Teaching, research, and management are other career pathways.
As a prosthetist or orthotist, you won’t just treat your patients physically. You’ll also help them feel happy and comfortable living with their blade or brace.
You’ll need to be a great communicator and be able to build rapport with your patients, as it can be a nervous time for them. You’ll need to be the voice of encouragement and the person who listens and understands. You’ll also need to communicate clearly with the technicians who create medical devices for your patients.
This is a physical job where using your hands is vital. To get the best performance out of a prosthesis or aid, you’ll need to make a lot of adjustments.
You should be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as working with hand tools and workshop equipment to make these adjustments. You might also spend a lot of time bending over or crouching to examine and measure patients.
To become a prosthetist or an orthotist, you must first successfully complete an approved degree in prosthetics and orthotics. Only a few universities in the UK offer full-time courses, which take three or four years depending on the university. Once you’ve successfully completed your degree, you’ll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before you can start practising.
Entry requirements for an undergraduate degree include:
Or the equivalent qualifications:
Every university sets its own entry requirements, so it’s important to check with them directly.
A degree apprenticeship with a healthcare provider is another way to become a prosthetist or an orthotist. Apprenticeships give you the chance to earn a living while gaining your qualification.
As well as a genuine interest in prosthetics or orthotics, you’ll need to meet the academic requirements of the apprenticeship – typically holding qualifications at Level 3.
You can search for vacancies on the NHS Jobs website and Find an Apprenticeship website.
Your employer and the government will pay the tuition fees, so apprenticeships aren’t eligible for student grants.
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