Prosthetic-orthotics technician
Also known as: orthotic and prosthetic technician, surgical appliance maker, surgical appliance technician, orthopaedic technician, prosthetics maker, prosthetics assembler
About this occupation
Prosthetic-orthotics technicians design, create, fit and repair supportive devices, such as braces, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.
A specialisation of prosthetist-orthotist.
Essential skills and knowledge
- manipulate plastic
- repair orthopedic goods
- test prosthetic-orthotic devices
- biomedical engineering
- use technical drawing software
- repair prosthetic-orthotic devices
- types of orthopedic supplies
- orthotic devices
- manipulate wood
- manipulate metal
- maintain prosthetic-orthotic devices
- prosthetic devices
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Endoscopy Technicians (O*NET 31-9099.02). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Clean, disinfect, or calibrate scopes or other endoscopic instruments according to manufacturer recommendations and facility standards.
- Collect specimens from patients, using standard medical procedures.
- Perform safety checks to verify proper equipment functioning.
- Maintain or repair endoscopic equipment.
- Assist physicians or registered nurses in the conduct of endoscopic procedures.
- Place devices, such as blood pressure cuffs, pulse oximeter sensors, nasal cannulas, surgical cautery pads, and cardiac monitoring electrodes, on patients to monitor vital signs.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Writing, Speaking
US median pay: US$48,430 a year (2025), 109,740 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.9)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Surgical Technologists
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
- Surgical Assistants
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
- Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
- Neurodiagnostic Technologists
- Medical Equipment Preparers
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.