Medical Appliance Technicians

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Medical Appliance Technicians

Careers / Medical Appliance Technicians

Summary Description


	Construct, fit, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices, such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Arch Support Maker

2.	Arch Support Technician

3.	Arch-Support Maker

4.	Artificial Limb Maker

5.	Artificial Plastic Eye Maker

6.	Brace Maker

7.	Certified Pedorthotist

8.	Designer

9.	Fabrication Technician

10.	Hearing Aid Repair Technician

11.	Lab Technician

12.	Medical Appliance Maker

13.	Medical Assembler

14.	Medical Device Assembler

15.	Medical or Surgical Instrument Maker

16.	Model Maker

17.	Orthopaedic Technologist

18.	Orthopedic Brace Maker

19.	Orthopedic Technician

20.	Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician (O and P Technician)

21.	Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician (O&P Technician)

22.	Orthotic Finish Grinding Technician

23.	Orthotic Fitter

24.	Orthotic Technician

25.	Orthotics Technician

26.	Prosthetic Lab Technician

27.	Prosthetic Technician

28.	Prosthetics Lab Technician

29.	Prosthetics Technician

30.	Registered Prosthetic Orthotic Technician

31.	Restoration Officer

32.	Restoration Technician

33.	Surgical Appliance Fitter

34.	Surgical Brace Maker

35.	Surgical Instrument Maker

Job Tasks

	Drill and tap holes for rivets and glue, weld, bolt, or rivet parts together to form prosthetic or orthotic devices. Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials. Operate welding equipment.

	Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools that will be required. Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.

	Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools. Construct customized assistive medical or dental devices.

	Bend, form, and shape fabric or material to conform to prescribed contours of structural components. Adjust fabrics or other materials during garment production.

	Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns. Cast molds of patient anatomies to create medical or dental devices.

	Repair, modify, or maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, or surgical supports, according to specifications. Repair medical or dental assistive devices.

	Cover or pad metal or plastic structures or devices, using coverings such as rubber, leather, felt, plastic, or fiberglass. Construct customized assistive medical or dental devices.

	Test medical supportive devices for proper alignment, movement, or biomechanical stability, using meters and alignment fixtures. Inspect medical or dental assistive devices.

	Lay out and mark dimensions of parts, using templates and precision measuring instruments. Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.

	Fit appliances onto patients and make any necessary adjustments. Measure clients to ensure proper product fit.

	Polish artificial limbs, braces, or supports, using grinding and buffing wheels. Polish materials, workpieces, or finished products. Operate grinding equipment.

	Mix pigments to match patients' skin coloring, according to formulas, and apply mixtures to orthotic or prosthetic devices. Mix ingredients to create specific finishes. Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.

	Take patients' body or limb measurements for use in device construction. Measure clients to ensure proper product fit.

	Instruct patients in use of prosthetic or orthotic devices.

	Service or repair machinery used in the fabrication of appliances. Repair production equipment or tools.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technici
	Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians construct, fit, or repair appliances and devices, including dentures, eyeglasses, and prosthetics.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technici
	Dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians and medical appliance technicians often work in laboratories. Most technicians work full time.

	Read More >>

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The first U.S. patent, issued in 1790 to Samuel Hopkins for a potassium compound, was signed by both President George Washington and then Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson.

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