prosthetic devices
The various artificial replacements of body parts or limbs, which were lost during a trauma, disease or an accident.
Prosthetist-orthotists design and custom fit prostheses and orthoses for individuals who are missing a limb from accident, disease or congenital conditions or for individuals who have impairments, deficiences or weaknesses due to injury, pathology or congenital malformation. They mix patient care with the design and fabrication of these devices to address their patients' needs.
Competences and skills
57 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 5 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competenceCross-sector
4 competencesbiomechanics
The use of mechanical means to understand the function and structure of biological organisms.
human anatomy
The dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and altered anatomy and physiology throughout the human lifespan.
kinetics
The study of movement and its causes.
rehabilitation
The methods and procedures used to help an ill or injured person restore lost skills and regain self-sufficiency and control.
Essential skills and competences 18 competences
Occupation specific
3 competencesdesign medical supportive devices
Compose, create and evaluate orthopaedic and prosthetic devices after consulting with physicians, examining and measuring the patient in order to determine the size of the artificial limb.
instruct patients on supportive devices
Inform patients on the utilisation and care of orthoses and protheses.
modify lifecasts
Fix and appropriately modify lifecasts to ensure their accuracy.
Sector-specific
9 competencesadvise on rehabilitation exercises
Educate and advise on rehabilitation exercises to aid long-term recovery, teaching the appropriate techniques to ensure health is maintained.
answer patients' questions
Respond in a friendly and professional manner to all inquiries from current or potential patients, and their families, of a healthcare establishment.
archive healthcare users' records
Properly store the health records of healthcare users, including test results and case notes so that they are easily retrieved when required.
collect healthcare user's general data
Collect qualitative and quantitative data related to the healthcare user's anagraphic data and provide support on filling out the present and past history questionnaire and record the measures/tests performed by the practitioner.
comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice
Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.
contribute to continuity of health care
Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.
create lifecasts
Use specialised products such as silicones to create moulds of a person's hand, face, or other body parts in a process called lifecasting. Use moulds or other materials to create medical devices in the prosthetic and orthotic field.
ensure safety of healthcare users
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
record healthcare users' progress related to treatment
Record the healthcare user's progress in response to treatment by observing, listening and measuring outcomes.
Cross-sector
6 competencesadhere to organisational guidelines
Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
communicate in healthcare
Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.
comply with legislation related to health care
Comply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.
contribute to the rehabilitation process
Contribute to the rehabilitation process to enhance activity, functioning and participation using a person-centered and evidence-based approach.
interact with healthcare users
Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
listen actively
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
Optional knowledge 13 competences
Occupation specific
1 competencepedorthics
Conditions that affect the feet and lower limbs, and the modification of footwear and supportive devices used to help fix these issues.
Sector-specific
4 competencesorthopaedic conditions
The physiology, pathophysiology, pathology, and natural history of common orthopaedic conditions and injuries.
orthopaedic goods industry
The characteristics of devices and suppliers in the orthopaedic devices field.
orthotics
The manufacture and design of devices used to modify structural functions of the skeletal system.
prosthetic-orthotic device materials
The materials used to create prosthetic-orthotic devices such as polymers, thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather. In the choice of materials, attention must be paid to medical regulations, cost and biocompatibility.
Cross-sector
8 competencesfirst aid
The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.
human physiology
The science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.
hygiene in a health care setting
The procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment used and infection control methods.
medical informatics
The processes and tools used for the analysis and dissemination of medical data through computerized systems.
digital
medical terminology
The meaning of medical terms and abbreviations, of medical prescriptions and various medical specialties and when to use it correctly.
orthopaedics
Orthopaedics is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
pathology
The components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.
- Scope note
- Excludes .
types of orthopedic supplies
Various types of orthopaedic supplies such as braces and arm supports, used for physical therapy or physical rehabilitation.
Optional skills and competences 21 competences
Occupation specific
3 competencesmanipulate prosthetic-orthotic device materials
Alter the materials used for prosthetic-orthotic devices such as metal alloys, stainless steel, composites or polymer glass.
modify casts for prostheses
Fabricate and fit casts for prostheses for patients with partial or total absence of limb; measure, model and produce casts for prostheses and evaluate their fit on the patient.
perform a prosthetic examination of the patient
Examine, interview and measure patients to determine the kind and size of prosthetic and orthotic devices that have to be made.
Sector-specific
13 competencesassist patients with rehabilitation
Assist to develop and restore patient`s body systems, their neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, helping them in the rehabilitation process.
develop therapeutic relationships
Maintain the individual therapeutic relationship to engage the individual's innate healing capacities, to achieve active collaboration in the health education and healing process and to maximise the potential of healthy change.
finish prosthetic-orthotic devices
Complete the manufacturing of prosthetic and orthotic devices by sanding, smoothing, applying paint or lacquer layers, stuffing and covering some parts with leather or textiles.
identify patients' medical records
Locate, retrieve and present medical records, as requested by authorized medical personnel.
maintain prosthetic-orthotic devices
Ensure that all prosthetic-orthotic devices are properly stored and taken care of so they maintain their functionality and appearance.
place orders for orthopedic products
Order specialised orthopaedic materials and supplies for the store; maintain the company stock.
recommend orthopedic goods to customers depending on their condition
Recommend and provide advice on orthopaedic goods and pieces of equipment such as braces, slings or elbow supports. Provide individual advice depending on customer's specific condition and needs.
recommend orthotic devices
Suggest patients to use tailor-made insoles, padding and arch supports to relieve feet pain.
repair orthopedic goods
Replace and repair orthopaedic material such as prostheses, technical supports and rehabilitation aids.
repair prosthetic-orthotic devices
Perform repairs, fix and modify prosthetic-orthotic devices according to the specifications.
test prosthetic-orthotic devices
Ensure that the prosthetic-orthotic devices fit the patient according to specifications. Test and evaluate them to ensure that they work as intended. Make adjustments to ensure proper fit, function and comfort.
use e-health and mobile health technologies
Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.
digital
work in multidisciplinary health teams
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
Cross-sector
5 competencesmanipulate plastic
Manipulate the properties, shape and size of plastic.
manipulate wood
Manipulate the properties, shape and size of wood.
provide health education
Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
record data from biomedical tests
Use information technology to accurately record and analyse data from biomedical tests, writing reports on the data and sharing results with the appropriate persons.
digital
respond to changing situations in health care
Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.