A prosthetic technician is a skilled professional who uses machinery and computer equipment to create customized prosthetic limbs and devices for patients out of materials such as wood, metal, and plastic. The job of the professional is to make the artificial devices look as real as possible. In addition, the technician usually works for a prosthetist and is in charge of testing and correcting prosthetic devices as needed. A prosthetic technician can work in a variety of settings, such as private clinics, ambulatory care centers, and rehabilitation centers. A two-year college degree is usually required to work as a prosthetic technician.
Building prosthetic devices according to specific specifications provided by a prosthetist in a laboratory or workbench is a large part of the technician’s job. Using drawings and measurements, the technician creates sketches or models from plaster casts after receiving a prescription. Devices can be made from wax or plastic impressions of a person’s amputated area by the technician.
Plastic, wood, and metal are sawed, carved, and ground to make artificial devices. A prosthetic technician will adhere parts to one another by gluing, bolting, or sewing them together. A layer of padding is also added to fit over the device, which is usually made of fiberglass or leather. The technician will polish and paint the device to match a patient’s pigment to make it as lifelike as possible.
A prosthetic technician may be in charge of taking patient measurements and performing tests to ensure that the built device is mobile and stable. He is frequently in charge of putting the newly created device on a patient. He will also show the patient how to use the newly created device. When necessary, the technician assists the patient by servicing and repairing prosthetic devices.
A technician’s prosthesis devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes. A technician may be in charge of creating artificial ears, noses, or hands for people who have lost their hearing, noses, or hands due to a serious injury or disease. Some designs can be as complex as creating a prosthetic device with electrodes that allow the patient to move his or her hand. Dentures, bridges, and crowns are among the oral prosthesis devices that some technicians specialize in designing.
To be successful as a prosthetic technician, one must be able to use power tools, which necessitates exceptional hand-eye coordination. A technician must follow specific instructions and designs, which necessitates excellent time management and communication abilities. A physical therapy or medical assistant degree is usually required to pursue a career as a prosthetic technician. Although educational paths vary, a person can gain valuable skills by enrolling in a two-year college program that specializes in prosthetics or orthotics and then completing one or two years of directed practical training. A person can also gain experience right out of high school by working as an apprentice for a certified prosthetist for four years.