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Medical Appliance Technicians

Medical Appliance Technicians is the O*NET name for people who construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances. The skills rated most useful are quality control analysis, critical thinking, and speaking. A regular part of the work is to repair, modify, or maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, or surgical supports, according to specifications. Interest ratings put Realistic on top at 7.0 out of 7 and Investigative second, so the code is RIC and the day leans toward hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world. Getting in usually takes a few months to a year of learning on the job, a level O*NET calls some preparation. It tends to suit people who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, and it offers little for anyone seeking leading, persuading and making business decisions.

What they do

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

Main tasks

  • Repair, modify, or maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, or surgical supports, according to specifications.
  • Polish artificial limbs, braces, or supports, using grinding and buffing wheels.
  • Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns.
  • Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools required.
  • Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools.
  • Bend, form, and shape fabric or material to conform to prescribed contours of structural components.

Skills

  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Troubleshooting

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on quality control analysis and critical thinking.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want to lead people or run the business side. Enterprising rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RIC takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Also called

  • Certified Orthotist (CO)
  • Certified Pedorthotist
  • Certified Prosthetist (CP)
  • Hearing Aid Repair Technician (Hearing Aid Repair Tech)
  • Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech)

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.