Design, measure, fit, and adapt orthopedic braces, appliances or prostheses, such as limbs or facial parts for patients with disabling conditions.
<ul><li>Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.</li><li>Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.</li><li>Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.</li><li>Maintain patients' records.</li><li>Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.</li><li>Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.</li><li>Make and modify plaster casts of areas that will be fitted with prostheses or orthoses, for use in the device construction process.</li><li>Confer with physicians to formulate specifications and prescriptions for orthopedic or prosthetic devices.</li><li>Construct and fabricate appliances or supervise others constructing the appliances.</li><li>Train and supervise support staff, such as orthopedic and prosthetic assistants and technicians.</li><li>Update skills and knowledge by attending conferences and seminars.</li><li>Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances.</li><li>Show and explain orthopedic and prosthetic appliances to healthcare workers.</li><li>Research new ways to construct and use orthopedic and prosthetic devices.</li><li>Publish research findings or present them at conferences and seminars.</li></ul>