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Prosthetists and orthotists

OaSIS code 32129.03

Prosthetists and orthotists design, fabricate, fit and repair prosthetic and orthotic devices.

Overview

Also known as

  • Certified orthotist (CO)
  • Certified prosthetist
  • Orthotist
  • Prosthetist
  • Surgical fitter

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • 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.

Additional information

No data has been provided for this section.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment (32109)
  • Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians (32104)
  • Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
  • Medical laboratory technologists (32120)
  • Medical sonographers (32122)
  • Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists (32123)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

3 – Health occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

32 – Technical occupations in health

Sub-major group

321 – Technical occupations in health (except practitioners of natural healing)

Minor group

3212 – Medical technologists and technicians

Unit group

32129 – Other medical technologists and technicians

Occupational profile

32129.03 – Prosthetists and orthotists

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Assisting and Caring for Others
5 - Highest Level
Applying New Knowledge
4 - High Level
Communicating with Coworkers
4 - High Level
Developing Technical Instructions
4 - High Level
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance
4 - High Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
3 - More than 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
5 - Physically touching or very close

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Standing
Duration
2 - Less than half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
2 - Less than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
3 - Important
Frequency
3 - Once a week or more but not every day

Workplaces/employers

  • Clinics
  • Hospitals
  • Prosthetic device manufacturing companies
  • Prosthetics and orthotics laboratories
  • Self-employment

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Finger Dexterity
4 - High Level
Fluency of Ideas
4 - High Level
Manual Dexterity
4 - High Level
Spatial Visualization
4 - High Level
Written Expression
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Product Design
5 - Highest Level
Problem Solving
4 - High Level
Reading Comprehension
4 - High Level
Social Perceptiveness
4 - High Level
Writing
4 - High Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Attention to Detail
5 - Extremely important
Concern for Others
5 - Extremely important
Active Learning
4 - Highly important
Analytical Thinking
4 - Highly important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RSI

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Social (S)

Social occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the interaction with others to inform, train, aid, develop, cure, or enlighten. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others, teaching, working or communicating with people.

Investigative (I)

Investigative occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the observation and systematic or creative investigation of physical, biological, or cultural phenomena. These occupations require an extensive amount of thinking and frequently involve working with ideas, searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • 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.
  • Registration with the Canadian Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (CAPO) may be required.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Technical Design
3 - Advanced Level
Languages
2 - Intermediate Level
Mechanics and Machinery
2 - Intermediate Level
Biology
1 - Basic Level
Business Management
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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