Orthotist-prosthetist
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Job description
These individuals fit, repair, and modify prosthetics and orthotics. They may also monitor the manufacture of medically prescribed orthotics. They work mainly in rehabilitation centres.
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
Main tasks
- Improve the functional independence of individuals.
- Assemble or manufacture orthopaedic devices according to drawings, measurements, and plaster casts.
- Repair, rebuild, and modify orthopaedic and prosthetic devices or orthopaedic shoes.
- Take clients’ limb or body part measurements, as required.
- Use a variety of manufacturing materials (metal, leather, plastic).
- Adapt, adjust, and repair orthopaedic devices.
- Make orthotics and prosthetics for people of various ages and health conditions.
- Ensure follow-up with clients.
Advancement and mobility
- Two years of experience and successful completion of the Foot Orthotist Certification Board of Canaada certification exams are required to become a certified Orthotist.
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
College
DCS in orthèses, prothèses et soins orthopédiques
Placement rate: 78.9%
10.5% of graduates pursue further studies
Also required
- Membership in the Ordre des technologues professionnels du Québec (OTPQ [Quebec Order of Professional Technologists]).
Sometimes required
- Membership in the Association des orthésistes et prothésistes du Québec (AOPQ [Quebec Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists]) may be required.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Active listening
- Quality control analysis
- Critical thought
- Reading comprehension
- Troubleshooting
- Oral expression
- Social perception
- Monitoring operations
- Solving complex problems
- Information processing
- Result evaluation
- Judgment and decision-making
- Service oriented
- Active learning
- Coordination
- Teaching
- Equipment maintenance
- Written expression
- Time management
- Repair
Abilities
- Oral comprehension
- Awareness of issues
- Near vision
- Verbal skills
- Deductive reasoning
- Hand-arm stability
- Visualization
- Digital dexterity
- Information organization
- Speech clarity
- Manual dexterity
- Inductive reasoning
- Speech recognition
- Limb coordination
- Control accuracy
- Written comprehension
- Selective attention
- Classification
- Written expression
- Core strength
- Originality
- Depth perception
- Colour perception and distinction
- Hearing sensitivity
Knowledge and attributes
- Perseverance
- Autonomy
- Capacity to adapt
- Knowledge of customer and personalized services
- Capacity to work in a team
- Rigour
- Attention to detail
- Capacity to be discrete
- Knowledge of design
- Knowledge of medicine or dentistry
Interests
- Make, build, install
- Assist and advise
- Collect, verify, sort, and classify data or information
- Assist or care for people
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Artistic
- People with this profile prefer to express their emotions and thoughts through various art forms. They like to use their imagination.
- Social
- People with this profile prefer to be in contact with others, in particular to entertain, help or teach them.
Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)
Other medical technologists and technicians (CNP 32129)
Skill type
Health
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Last update: January 29, 2026