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 If you have a desire to help individuals and are looking for a unique and rewarding career, a career as a Prosthetist might be for you. A Prosthetist works closely with amputees and their families, along with their physicians and physical therapists, to provide the amputee a comprehensive rehabilitation service.
A Prosthetist profession is unique in that it combines science, art, and an unyielding desire to improve the quality of life for amputees. Prosthetists are trained medical professionals, completing courses in biology, physics, math and applied prosthetics.
There are currently two academic paths that an individual can take to obtain the required education to enter the prosthetic profession as a prosthetist.
The following describes the two educational options available:
- Educational Route Option 1 - Obtain a bachelors degree from an accredited school in prosthetics/orthotics, along with two years residency in the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education [NCOPE] program. With this option a master’s degree is not required, and upon completion of this educational option, the student can sit for the prosthetic board exams.
- Educational Route Option 2 - Obtain a four year bachelors degree in any field, taking the required master’s prerequisite courses (AT LEAST 1 physics, 1 calculus, 1 psychology, 2 anatomy and physiology, 1 biology and 1 chemistry class). THEN, enter an accredited masters program for two years along with two years residency in the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education [NCOPE] program. Upon completion of this educational option, the student can sit for the prosthetic board exams.
An Individual may sit for prosthetic board exams ONLY after you have successfully completed one of these educational options.
Education Requirements and General FAQ's:
Bachelors program at a glance
Bachelors Degree from an accredited four year institution
- Any degree
- Most graduate program prerequisites include Calculus based physics with lab, calculus I and II, anatomy/physiology with lab, psychology, and chemistry I with lab.
- Courses must be completed with 3.0 GPA or higher
- GRE test required
Masters program at a glance
Masters Degree from an accredited National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) program (without a degree from an NCOPE accredited program, an individual may not sit for board exams).
- 2 years of classroom learning with imbedded nonpaid internships and co-ops
- 1 year of residency at NCOPE residency location in orthotics practicing under American Board Certified orthotist/prosthetist (C.P.O.)
- 1 year of residency at NCOPE residency location in prosthetics practicing under ABC C.P.O.
- Completion of 3 part certification exam within 3 years of residency program
- 4 attempts to pass each part within 3 years
- Part I: Written Multiple Choice Examination: computer based, a three hour, multiple choice examination that assesses the candidate's knowledge of patient and practice management. Knowledge assessed on the written examinations includes anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, disease process, pathologies, material science, ethics and professionalism.
- Part II: Written Simulation Examination: computer based, a three hour interactive exam that uses six simulated case scenarios to test the candidate's analytic and clinical problem solving skills. The cases will include topics such as prescription criteria, device recommendation, technical implementation and follow-up protocols.
- Part III: Clinical Patient Management Practical Examination: a hands-on practical examination of knowledge and skills assessed through direct examiner and patient model interaction in a clinical environment. The candidate must perform specific tasks while demonstrating and describing the orthotic or prosthetic recommendation, fitting criteria, patient instructions and follow-up plans involved in the provision of care.
Universities with programs:
Can I just get a post baccalaureate certificate?
I read that I can just get a post baccalaureate certificate to practice as a Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist. Is this still true?
No. By 2012, the availability of these programs will be nonexistent. In April 2005, a landmark meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana convened a group of 35 educators, researchers and political leaders in prosthetics and orthotics profession. Known as the Education Summit, the meeting focused on examining the need for education programs in P&O to upgrade to the master’s degree. The outcome of the meeting was a consensus for all American schools to move the professional education of orthotists and prosthetists from the current certificate and baccalaureate levels to the master’s degree level by 2010. Georgia Tech’s MSPO program was selected to serve as the model program to provide guidance and leadership during this national transition. Recently (2007) it was further clarified that all existing P&O education programs would need to transition to the master's degree by 2012 and that any new school that was aiming to create a P&O education program would need to do so at the level of a master's degree or higher by 2010.
What is the career outlook for this profession?
Extremely good! There is an increasing number of orthotists and prosthetists nearing retirement. The number of individuals preparing to exit the profession is marginally offset by the number of graduates from accredited schools preparing to enter the profession. Combined with the expanding number of elderly persons in need of orthotic and prosthetic care, other professions have begun to encroach their scope of practice by attempting to treat patients in need of orthotic and prosthetic services. Subsequently, inter-allied health competition for orthotic and prosthetic patient care has been forcing certified practitioners to operate in areas where in some cases, other allied health professionals are better educated or just as skill-oriented (i.e. upper extremity orthotics, splinting. In other areas, companies manufacturing pre-made orthoses and prostheses are directly marketing to the patient. These developments could weaken the quality of services provided to patients in need of orthotic and prosthetic care. (Found at http://www.ap.gatech.edu/mspo/programmain.htm)
What is the expected salary for a Board Certified Orthotist/Prosthetist?
Depending on market values, a CPO could make $60,000 to $75,000+.
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