Career as Orthotists or Prosthetis

Career as Orthotists or Prosthetists 

The Good Universities Guide states that Orthotists or Prosthetists design, build, fit and repair splints, braces, callipers, artificial limbs and related appliances to restore function or compensate for muscular and skeletal disabilities.

Orthotists/Prosthetists work within major teaching hospitals, rehabilitation centres and private practice. They may also work for commercial companies that design and manufacture devices for people with disability.                                                                       

Good Universities Guide - Orthotist and Prosthetist

La Trobe University offers the 4-year Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honours) which focuses on training students to become a qualified health professional with expertise in treating people's physical and functional limitations. 

From first year, students undertake clinical placements and experiences both on campus in La Trobe's prosthetic and orthotic facilities and at external sites.  Students study anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and prosthetic and orthotic prescription, design and fabrication.  The Honours year is offered in two streams: industry and research. 

Students complete either a major industry-relevant honours project or a research honours project in the final years of the course.  Graduates of the course can go on to working in Public health (hospitals, aged care facilities and rehabilitation centres, or Private practice (using skills in private prosthetic-orthotic facilities and other agencies), or Research and design (graduates may work for commercial companies that design and manufacture devices for people with disability.)