Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Working Life

Orthotists and prosthetists are professionals allied to medicine who work at hospitals, clinics or within specialised rehabilitation centres. Prosthetists supply and fit artificial limbs (prostheses). People may have lost a limb in an accident or had an amputation following a disease. Sometimes, people are born without a limb.  
 
Orthotists supply and fit surgical appliances (orthoses) that are used to assist movement and correct deformities. People suffering from an injury or disease can also benefit from an orthosis. Typical orthoses include:

• collars for the head and neck
• braces, corsets and trusses for the spine and abdomen
• splints for fingers and hands
• callipers and compression garments for legs
• orthopaedic footwear and insoles

Prosthetists and orthotists take precise and detailed measurements and often a plaster cast of the client. This will provide sises for the technician, who will make the prosthesis or orthosis. The finished article is later fitted by the orthotist or prosthetist. They show the client how it works, what its limits are, and how to put it on and take it off.  
 
The orthotist/prosthetist closely monitors the effectiveness of any prosthesis or orthosis they have fitted, and may make adjustments, repairs or renewals at regular intervals. You will use the skill you have learnt to design and select the best possible prosthesis.  
 
A close relationship is built up during the rehabilitation process, as the client adjusts to their changed situation. Close liaison is also maintained with the team of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists who are involved in the welfare of the client.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Maintain patients' records.
• Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
• Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
• Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.
• Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.
• Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
• Construct and fabricate appliances, or supervise others constructing the appliances.
• Make and modify plaster casts of areas to be fitted with prostheses or orthoses to guide the device construction process.
• Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances.
• Train and supervise support staff, such as orthopedic and prosthetic assistants and technicians.

Further Information

• Prosthetist-Orthotist- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Orthotists and prosthetists are professionals allied to medicine who work at hospitals, clinics or within specialised rehabilitation centres. Prosthetists supply and fit artificial limbs (prostheses). People may have lost a limb in an accident or had an amputation following a disease. Sometimes, people are born without a limb. 

Training & Development 

Studying Abroad there is currently no course in Ireland to become a qualified Prosthetist & Orthotist. Professionals practicing in Ireland have study internationally, most commonly in the UK. ​

You will need to take a three or four year BSc (Hons) degree in prosthetics and orthotics, approved by the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists and the Health and Care Professions Council. The approved degree courses is available at two universities in the UK:

• University of Strathclyde – BSc in Prosthetics & Orthotics
• University of Salford – BSc in Prosthetics & Orthotics

You can also explore studying Prosthetics and Orthotics in Sweden:

• Jonkoping University- BSc Prosthetics and Orthotics 

To get on to a degree you will usually need at least five GCSEs (A-C), including English, maths and a science-based subject, as well as three A levels, including maths and either biology, physics or chemistry.

Professional Development

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

• Irish Association of Prosthetists & Orthotists

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €41k - €71k

Salaries vary based on employer (state/ Private), location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Indeed

Last Updated: August, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include:  Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, Speech and language therapists, Therapy professionals n.e.c.  

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

Employment growth was above average for therapy professionals, mostly related to an increase in employment between 2022 and 2023 of 3,000 persons. Over four-fifths of those employed were female and a third were working part-time (the highest share across healthcare occupations); this occupation also had a high share who were aged 55 years and over which will have future implications for replacement demand. A small number of employment permits were issued mainly for physiotherapists, but also for occupational and speech and language therapists.

The delivery of Sláintecare, particularly in terms of community care and mental health services, will require additional staffing in these occupations. Provision in the education/training system for these occupations has expanded, with 100 places added in 2023 (across Ireland and Northern Ireland), and further places announced for September 2024.

Given the duration of training programmes, recruitment difficulties for these posts are unlikely to ease in the short-to-medium term. However, the numbers employed in each of the therapy categories are too small to allow for detailed analysis and to determine if shortages exist.

• UCAS

  • Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 3LZ
  • +44 330 3330 230
  • Click Here

• British association of Prosthetists and Orthotists

  • Sir James Clark Building, Abbey Mill Business Centre, Paisley PA 1 1TJ
  • +44 141 561 7217
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Association of Prosthetists & Orthotists

  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health and Safety Executive

  • 1G Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 7HS, UK
  • +44 (0)845 345 0055
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here