The Shower-Safe Foot
The worst part of lower-right leg amputee Frank Jones’ everyday life was showering.
“I’ve waited 45 years to be able to stand in the shower,” Jones said.
Upgraded 'Foot'
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Frank's life has now been changed by the invention of the Shower-Safe Foot. It was created by Michael Simonetti, a student in San Diego State’s administration, rehabilitation and postsecondary education graduate program, in collaboration with Jones and his prosthetist, Russell DePalma.
The Shower-Safe Base Foot - About prosthetics - continued
Prosthetic Technician: Job Description and Career Information
Prosthetic technicians use machinery and computer equipment to design, create and customize prosthetic limbs for medical patients using materials such as wood, metal or plastics. They usually cover the prosthetic limbs in rubber or latex and paint them a color similar to that of the patients' skin to make them look more natural. After the prosthetic limbs are created, the prosthetic technicians then test the devices to make sure they function properly and make adjustments when needed.
How to Become a Prosthetic Technician
Prosthetic technicians usually need an associate degree or certification from an accredited institution to find a job, but a number of employers are willing to train applicants as long as they have a high school diploma. Students interested in becoming prosthetic technicians should take courses like wood shop, mechanical engineering, anatomy, physics and chemistry.
Prosthetic technicians must be good at operating machinery such as power tools and need a high level of hand-eye coordination. They should also be able to follow detailed directions very closely and must have good communication skills.
Career and Economic Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics (www.bls.gov) reports that the median hourly wage for orthotists and prosthetists, who usually need master's degrees and mainly design prosthetic limbs and other devices, was about $30.13 while the wage for medical appliance technicians, who mainly repair prosthetic limbs and other devices, was $17.35 in May 2012. Between 2012 and 2022, job growth was expected to be 7% for medical appliance technicians and 36 for prosthetists. Since an increasing number of elderly people will need prosthetics, demand will increase for orthotists and prosthetists as well as medical appliance technicians. However, increased manufacturing productivity due to automation will likely slow job growth for medical appliance technicians.
The Steps to Becoming a Certified Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician
When a person suffers an injury or debilitating disease, he or she may rely on an orthotic or prosthetic technician to create the braces (“orthoses”) or artificial limbs (“prostheses”) needed for mobility. Because the work makes such a significant difference in the life of a patient, becoming an orthotics or prosthetics technician can be a rewarding career for people who enjoy working with their hands and want to use their technical skills to benefit others. Certification, offered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, ensures that technicians have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the job of fabricating, fitting, maintaining and repairing medical devices that are constantly changing to keep up with the latest medical technology.
Source: Francis Tuttle Career Blog by Ken Koch
For an Analysis of the Orthotics and Prosthetics (O&P) Profession