Entry Level Qualification 

12

Career Fields 

Allied & Para Medical Science

For Specially Abled 

Career Entrance Exam 

AIIMS MSC, AIIMS BSC

About Career 

Orthotists/ Prosthetists are professionals who assess, prescribe, design, fabricate, and fit either orthotic or prosthetic devices to patients who require such devices. Orthotists/Prosthetists attend to patients who have physical and functional limitations. These limitations could either be due to an accident, illness, or a developmental disability.

Before we go further into what Orthotists and Prosthetists do, let us understand what Orthotic and Prosthetic devices are and what they are used for.

1. The terms Orthosis and Prosthesis might sound similar, but they do have a very important distinction. On one hand, orthoses are the devices that are used to correct/repair, accommodate, or even enhance the use of a body part. In this case, it simply means that the body part that lost its function (either due to deficiency or deformity) is supported by external devices or braces. For example, an Orthotist would prescribe and even design a Spinal Orthosis and customize it as per the requirement of the patient who had a major spinal injury. Usually, a brace or a splint is commonly used orthoses.

2. Prostheses are artificially made body parts that replace a part of the body that is missing or damaged (either due to amputation/ deficient growth). This means that an entire part of the body would be replaced with a device or artificial limb. For example, a Prosthetist would attend to a patient who has an amputated leg by replacing it with an artificial limb or prosthetic leg. Some examples of Prostheses are artificial legs, arms, feet, etc.

Now that you know what we are talking about, let us dig deeper into what would Orthotists/ Prosthetists do.

1. As an Orthotist/ Prosthetist you would be involved in evaluating, prescribing, treating, educating, and rehabilitating the patients as part of the patient’s treatment process. Rehabilitating means that you would be helping the patients restore their normal healthy lives by providing them with necessary orthoses or prostheses. As an orthotist/ Prosthetist, you would assess the patient’s history of deformity or injury; test the muscle strength; understand joint motions, and so on. After identifying and analyzing, you would take measures and other details of the patient to design orthoses or prostheses. You would work along with Orthotist/prosthetist technicians healthcare professionals and physicians to ensure the proper fit and comfort of the prostheses to the patient.

2. To sum up, as an orthoptist/ Prosthetist you would be attending to the patients; testing and evaluating their problems, and then prescribing them with the required device. You would supervise the technicians and other healthcare professionals in customizing the device according to the measurement and other details of the patient. The common goal of both an Orthotist and Prosthetist is similar i.e. to enable an individual to function to the best of their ability.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

As an Orthotist/ Prosthetist, you will be engaged in one of the many roles and responsibilities:

1. You would test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort

2. You would formulate an optimal prosthetic solution using information from the patient assessment, other members of the rehabilitation team, medical charts, etc.

3. You would identify, prescribe, and justify the selection of appropriate materials and components in the construction of the device.

4. You would be involved in constructing the device using appropriate fabrication techniques in preparation for the initial fitting.

5. You would be involved in overseeing the proper fitness of the device to the patient using static and dynamic functional criteria established from the original assessment.

6. You would evaluate the quality of the device fit to ensure the appropriate interface contouring, force application, and trim lines.

7. You would identify problems related to device fit and/or alignment and be able to suggest and implement appropriate corrections.

8. You would assess and solve prosthetic problems as part of long-term patient care.

9. You would maintain accurate records of patient treatment and follow-up as well as confidentiality of such information.

10. You would serve as an advisor to physicians, therapists, and other medical professionals about indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry, and prescription criteria.

11. You would also participate in investigative/research project studies by selecting patients as pilot wearers of newly developed prosthetic items, evaluating the usefulness of such items, and compiling data.

Career Entry Pathway 

Class 10 all subjects as per the scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology along with any other subject as per the scheme of studies – Diploma in Prosthetics and Orthotics (DPO) – Work as an Orthotic/Prosthetic Technician for 2-3 years under the supervision of a certified practitioner in orthotics, prosthetics, or both.

This career entry pathway is for those students who wish to start their career directly after the 12th class. After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology along with any other subject as per the scheme of studies you can go for a diploma in Prosthetics and Orthotics (DPO) and start working as an Orthotic/Prosthetic Technician for 2-3 years under the supervision of a certified practitioner in orthotics, prosthetics, or both.

After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology along with any other subject as per the scheme of studies you can go for a degree in Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics. Most students start working directly after completing graduation and practice under the supervision of a certified practitioner in orthotics, prosthetics, or both.

This pathway is for those students to wish to enter the academic field in Orthotics and Prosthetics. After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology along with any other subject as per the scheme of studies you can go for a Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics. After graduation, you can pursue a Master's in Prosthetics and Orthotics (M.P.O.) after which you need to work for two years under the supervision of a certified practitioner in orthotics, prosthetics, or both.

This pathway is for students who wish to work in government medical research institutes. After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology along with any other subject as per the scheme of studies you can pursue a Diploma in Prosthetics and Orthotics with a minimum work experience of 3 years. After having a work experience of 3 years you can then apply for vacancies for Group ‘B’ technician posts in medical research institutes (AIIMS/ JIPMER/ PGIMER) and become an Orthotic Technician. After working for 5 years as an Orthotic technician you will be promoted to the post of Orthotist.

After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics or Biology along with any other subject as per the scheme of studies you can then go for a degree in Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics. After graduation, you must work for at least 8 years in service as an Orthotist and then apply for vacancies for Group ‘A’ posts in medical research institutes (AIIMS/ JIPMER/ PGIMER). After qualifying you can become a Chief Orthotist and prosthetist in medical research institutes.

Required Qualification & Competencies 

1. After completing higher secondary school, you can go for a bachelor’s degree in Prosthetics and orthotics and then start working in any Prosthetics and orthotics clinic and gain experience.

2. After completing graduation, if you wish to enter the academic field of Prosthetics and orthotics, you need to pursue a master’s degree in the same field. After completing a master’s you need to have at least two years of work experience to become an Assistant Professor.

To become an Orthotist/ Prosthetist, you have to study in one or more of the following subject areas in either a bachelor’s or masters

1. Biomechanics

2. Prosthetic Science

3. Orthotic Science

Competencies Required

Interest

1. Realistic: You should have an interest in Realistic Occupations. Realistic occupations involve more practical and hands-on activities than paperwork or office work. Realistic occupations often involve physical activities for getting things done using various tools and equipment. 

2. Conventional: You should have interests in Conventional Occupations. Conventional occupations involve repetitive and routine tasks as well as fixed processes or procedures for getting things done. These occupations involve working more with data, systems, and procedures and less with ideas or creativity.

3. Social: You should have an interest in Social Occupations. Social occupations involve helping or assisting others; these involve working with and communicating with people to provide various services; these may involve educating and advising others.

Knowledge

1. Healthcare Services: Knowledge of different fields that are related to offering various types of healthcare services to people; assisting physicians and surgeons to carry out diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human diseases, ailments, and disorders. This includes knowledge of different practices apart from medicine which are used to treat and prevent human diseases or to provide holistic healthcare and wellness. This also includes knowledge about drugs and medicines.

2. Personal Care Service: Knowledge of how to provide various assistance and services to others. This includes looking after the needs of individuals, understanding what they need, and providing all assistance at home or elsewhere.

Skills

1. Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, understanding the points being made by others, asking questions, etc.

2. Critical Thinking: Skills in the analysis of complex situations, using logic and reasoning to understand the situations and take appropriate actions or make interpretations and inferences.

3. Judgment and Decision Making: Skills in considering the pros and cons of various decision alternatives; considering costs and benefits; and making appropriate and suitable decisions.

4. Problem Solving: Skills in analysis and understanding of problems, evaluating various options to solve the problems, and using the best option to solve the problems.

5. Technical: Skills in using various technologies and technical methods including cardiovascular knowledge and use of medical technologies, performing diagnostic procedures, etc.

Abilities

1. Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules and common logic to specific problems to produce answers that are logical and make sense. For example, understanding the reasons behind an event or a situation using general rules and common logic

2. Inductive Reasoning: The ability to combine pieces of information from various sources, concepts, and theories to form general rules or conclusions. For example, analyzing various events or situations to come out with a set of rules or conclusions

3. Inter-Personal: The ability to build and maintain good relationships with others at workplaces and elsewhere.

4. Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Personality

1. You are always or mostly organized in your day-to-day life and activities.

2. You remain calm in emergencies and work well under pressure

3. You always feel secure in your surroundings and most situations.

4. You are a soft-hearted person sometimes.

5. You trust others sometimes but not always.

6. You act independently sometimes but do not do so at some other times.

7. You are always practical in most situations.

Career - Job Opportunities & Profiles 

You would initially start working as a Trainee/Technician. You may find work in any of the following:

1. Rehabilitation centers/ corporate organizations for Orthotics/Prosthetics such as OttoBock India, Endolite India, Endolite India Ltd, Bharat VikasParishad, BhagwanMahaveerViklangSahayataSamiti (BMVSS), P&O Rehab India, etc, Mobility India, etc.

2. Orthotic/Prosthetic clinics or centers such as KARE Prosthetics & Orthotics, BornlifeProsethtic& Orthotic Inc., Nevedac Prosthetic Centre, Indian  Spinal Injuries Centre, etc.

3. Medical Research Institutes (as Technicians/Practitioners) such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), etc.

Specialisation Tracks In This Career

1. Orthotist (Lower/Upper limb)

Orthotists specializing in lower/upper limb orthoses are involved in assisting patients having lower/upper body problems (deformities or movement disability etc.) by prescribing external devices applied to the lower/upper body segments. They assist patients having musculoskeletal disorders. MSDS or musculoskeletal disorders are injuries or pain in the musculoskeletal system which includes ligaments, joints, muscles, nerves, etc. These devices/orthoses would assist the patients in improving function by controlling movement, providing support, reducing pain correcting the deformities, etc. Some of these are Foot orthoses, Ankle–foot orthoses, and Knee orthoses (KO) (knee brace), hand orthoses, fore-arm wrist orthoses, etc.

2. Orthotist (Spinal)

Othotists specializing in Spinal orthoses are involved in assisting patients having spinal injuries, fractures bone developmental problems, etc. by assessing, prescribing, evaluating, and fabricating required spinal orthoses that are customized as per the patients’ needs.

3. Orthotist (Cognitive)

Cognitive Orthotists are involved in assisting patients having cognitive impairments such as memory loss, traumatic brain injuries, neurological disorders, etc. These cognitive orthoses work as software-based personal reminder systems and can be installed on handheld devices (such as smartphones, smartwatches, etc.)

4. Prosthetist (Lower/Upper limb)

Prosthetists specializing in lower/upper limb prostheses are involved in helping patients with amputated upper/lower body parts like leg arm, forearm, elbow, wrist, foot, etc. Some of the Prosthetic devices are myoelectric prostheses, robotic prostheses (robotic leg, robotic knee, etc.), etc. Prosthetists help these patients by prescribing, designing, or fabricating prosthetic devices like robotic prostheses or myoelectric prostheses.

5. Prosthetist (Neural)

Neuroprosthetics are involved in assisting patients with neural prostheses. These are devices that can substitute a motor, sensory nerve, etc. which might have been damaged or injured.

Career Growth

You can start your career as a Trainee/ Technician directly after completing a Diploma in Prosthetics & Orthotics or you can skip this step by pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Prosthetics & Orthotics and start working as an Assistant Technician. You can then go on to become a senior consultant in any Prosthetics and orthotics clinic or Rehabilitation center. In case you wish to set up your practice you would have to acquire enough experience working at various levels in this field.

Trainee – Orthotic/Prosthetic technician – Assistant Orthotic/Prosthetic Technician – Orthotist/Prosthetist Practitioner - Senior Orthotist/Prosthetist – Consultant – Senior Consultant

Salary Offered  

1. As a Trainee at Entry level, you may earn around Rs.8, 000 – 12, 000 per month

2. At Junior-level with an experience of 1- 4 years you may earn around Rs.20, 000 – 35,000

3. At Mid-level with an experience of 5-12 years, you may earn around Rs. 45,000 – 80,000 per month

4. At Senior-level with an experience of 12-20 years, you may earn around Rs. 85,000 – 1,85,000 or more per month

Monthly Earnings In Indian Rupee

1. Entry level: 0 - 2 years of work experience

2. Junior Level: From 1 to 12 years of work experience

3. Mid Level: From 5 to 20+ years of work experience

4. Senior Level: From 10 to 25+ years of work experience (there could be exceptions in some high-end technical, financial, engineering, creative, management, sports, and other careers; also shortly, people will reach these levels much faster in many careers and some careers, these levels will have no meaning as those careers will be completely tech skill driven such as even now, there is almost no level in a Cyber Security Expert’s job)

Famous Personalities 

Not Available

Work Activities 

1. Analyzing and interpreting data and information: Analysis of data and information to find facts, trends, reasons behind situations, etc.; interpretation of data to aid in decision-making.

2. Assisting and caring for people: Assisting people in availing of services; taking care of people in different situations; offering help and services to others.

3. Communicating with co-workers and others: Communicating with people in writing, verbally or otherwise inside your workplace and various other people who have professional relationships with your place of work including vendors, government officials, etc., or with people at large.

4. Decision-making and problem-solving: Analysis of data and information; evaluation of alternative decisions and results of decisions; making the right decisions and solving problems.

5. Getting Information and learning: Observing, hearing, reading, using computers, or otherwise obtaining information and learning from it.

6. Inspecting situations, events, and people: Inspecting situations, events, and people to understand the reasons and causes for the situation or events to happen; inspecting people to understand reasons behind their behavior and actions.

7. Providing advice and consultation to others: Giving advice or consultation to others about various issues, conceptual matters, know-how, scientific matters, products, or services.

8. Updating and using relevant knowledge: Keeping updated with the latest knowledge relevant to your fields of work and using the relevant knowledge in getting things done.

9. Using computers for work: Using computers for day-to-day office work; using computer software for various applications in day-to-day professional work; entering data and processing information; for writing.

10. Working directly with people: Working directly with people to offer them products and services, providing assistance, etc.