Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Orthotist and Prosthetist
What orthotist and prosthetists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an orthotist and prosthetist?
Evaluate a new amputee patient. From there, the day usually includes evaluate patients’ needs, take casts, measurements and scans, and design orthoses and prostheses. Most work full-time weekday hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an orthotist and prosthetist working full time.
- Evaluate a new amputee patient.
- Scan a limb for a prosthetic socket.
- Fit a spinal brace.
- Adjust a prosthetic knee alignment.
- Review a design with a technician.
- Train a patient walking with a new leg.
- Document fittings.
Where orthotist and prosthetists work
Practitioners work in O&P clinics, hospitals and rehab centers.
Hours and schedule
Most work full-time weekday hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Evaluate patients’ needs
- Take casts, measurements and scans
- Design orthoses and prostheses
- Fit and adjust devices
- Train patients to use devices
- Work with physicians and therapists
- Supervise technicians
Tools you’ll use every day
- 3D scanners
- CAD software
- Casting materials
- Fabrication tools
- Alignment tools
- Gait analysis systems
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Life-changing results
- Mix of clinical and hands-on design
- Faster-than-average growth
- Technology like 3D printing
What’s hard
- Master’s plus residency
- Small field
- Insurance paperwork
- Physical fitting work
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I want to help people move
- I like hands-on design
- I enjoy biomechanics
- I’m patient with long-term care
- I like technology
- I’m willing to earn a master’s
Not sure? Take the free Orthotist and Prosthetist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Check skin for pressure injuries
- Use PPE in fabrication
- Guard patients during gait training
- Follow tool safety