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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division
SOC: 29-2091 Orthotists and Prosthetists
Assist patients with disabling conditions of limbs and spine or with partial or total absence of limb by fitting and preparing orthopedic braces or prostheses.
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Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
OJT: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Tasks: Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit. Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort. Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses. Maintain patients' records. Select materials and components to be used, based on device design. Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients. Make and modify plaster casts of areas that will be fitted with prostheses or orthoses, for use in the device construction process. Confer with physicians to formulate specifications and prescriptions for orthopedic or prosthetic devices. Construct and fabricate appliances or supervise others constructing the appliances. Train and supervise support staff, such as orthopedic and prosthetic assistants and technicians. Update skills and knowledge by attending conferences and seminars. Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances. Show and explain orthopedic and prosthetic appliances to healthcare workers. Research new ways to construct and use orthopedic and prosthetic devices. Publish research findings or present them at conferences and seminars.
License: License not required.
Outlook: Very Good
Alabama Employment Outlook
Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage   Annual Wage
Entry $14.47   Entry $30,098.00
Mean $27.69   Mean $57,580.00
Experience $34.29 Experience $71,322.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections
Estimated Employment 2016Projected Employment 2026Annual Average OpeningsAnnual Growth Rate
N/AN/A101.96
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Occupational Videos
29-2091.00 Orthotists and Prosthetists