Providing walking analysis & engineering solutions to patients with limb loss and to patients with problems of the neuro, muscular & skeletal systems.
Occupational Profile
A Prosthetist/Orthotist is a registered clinician. This unique occupation provides the opportunity to practice in two areas of healthcare. Most will specialise in Prosthetics or Orthotics; a small number continue in both. Prosthetists Provide gait (walking) analysis & engineering solutions to patients with limb(s) loss. They are trained in mechanics, bio-mechanics, & material science along with anatomy, physiology & pathophysiology. They are able to design, provide & modify prostheses that replicate the structural or functional characteristics of a patient’s absent limb(s). They provide care to patients with congenital (from birth) loss as well as loss due to conditions including diabetes, reduced vascularity, infection & trauma. Orthotists Provide gait (walking) analysis & engineering solutions to patients with problems of the neuro, muscular & skeletal systems. They apply mechanics, bio-mechanics, & material science along with anatomy, physiology & pathophysiology when assessing patients. They design & provide orthoses that modify the structural or functional characteristics of a patient’s neuro, muscular & skeletal systems enabling them to mobilise, eliminate gait deviations (improve walking), reduce falls, reduce pain, prevent & facilitate healing of ulcers & prevent physical deformities from progressing. They fit & modify Orthoses, an accountable and responsible for the impact of any changes. They provide care to patients with a wide range of conditions. Prosthetists / Orthotists manage their own patient caseloads, work across all age ranges & with a wide variety of conditions, often providing lifetime care. Whilst autonomous practitioner with leadership & management responsibilities they work as key part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to provide holistic care to patients & work collaboratively with members of the MDT through the provision of rehabilitation & long-term care. Prosthetists & Orthotists work for both the NHS & independent companies. Prosthetists/Orthotists demonstrate confidence, compassion, competency & effective judgement about risk & be responsible & accountable for their decisions. Prosthetist & Orthotists instruct and guide their technicians in the specification and manufacture of prostheses and orthoses. They also advise them in matters of patient interaction and care when the technicians are dealing directly with patients for example for repairs. They use current evidence to evaluate the effectiveness of their practice with the aim of continually improving outcomes for patients. They are responsible for ensuring their own knowledge & skills are current & support the development of others.
Summary of Standard
https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/prosthetist-orthotist-degree/
Full Standard
