Prosthetist and orthotist

Prosthetists and orthotists have quite different roles, but both aim to improve people’s ability to move freely. As a prosthetist, you’ll create and fit artificial replacements for patients who are missing a limb. As an orthotist, you’ll correct problems or deformities in nerves, muscles, and bones.

The work is quite varied and may include:

• fitting a prosthesis for a military veteran and helping them through the journey of their entire rehabilitation process
• giving a surgeon your advice when they’re performing an amputation
• helping a diverse range of ages, from children with cerebral palsy to adults with arthritis
• preventing patients from needing amputations by providing well-fitting splints and complex footwear

Your standard working week will be around 37.5 hours and may include a mix of shifts, such as nights, early starts, evenings and weekends. 

If you work in the NHS, you’ll be paid on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, typically starting on band 5.

You will be able to claim £2,000 a year towards childcare costs through the NHS Learning Support Fund, and there’s funding available for adult dependants and some placement travel costs too. If you have a disability, there are grants to help with essential costs while studying via the Disabled Students’ Allowance.

If working on the NHS you will have access to one of the best pension schemes in the UK, as well as access to exclusive health service discounts and benefits at some of the most popular brands.

You are likely to be based in a hospital but may also work in private clinics.

Once you’ve qualified and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, you can choose to specialise as a prosthetist or an orthotist. 

You’ll receive an annual personal development review to ensure you’re making the most of every opportunity offered. And with continuous professional development, you can add to your skills and progress to specialist roles with a higher pay grade. 

You may also join the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO), where you can keep your skills up-to-date with courses, conferences, and seminars. 

You may choose to specialise in sports injury, diabetes, forensic podiatry or working with children. Teaching, research, and management are other career pathways. 

As a prosthetist or orthotist, you won’t just treat your patients physically. You’ll also help them feel happy and comfortable living with their blade or brace.

You’ll need to be a great communicator and be able to build rapport with your patients, as it can be a nervous time for them. You’ll need to be the voice of encouragement and the person who listens and understands. You’ll also need to communicate clearly with the technicians who create medical devices for your patients. 

You must be precise when recording measurements, so that each device fits properly and is truly tailored for the individual. This can often feel like a make or break moment for patients, so it is crucial to get fittings as accurate as possible.

You’ll need to evaluate every patient’s situation and look for creative ways to meet their personal rehabilitation needs. The nature of the job is seeing different people with very different conditions. Every patient is a project and will need their own tailored plan.

This is a physical job where using your hands is vital. To get the best performance out of a prosthesis or aid, you’ll need to make a lot of adjustments.

You should be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as working with hand tools and workshop equipment to make these adjustments. You might also spend a lot of time bending over or crouching to examine and measure patients.

As a prosthetics and orthotics student, you’ll study mechanics and materials science alongside anatomy and physiology, learning to be a mechanic for the human body.

To become a prosthetist or an orthotist, you must first successfully complete an approved degree in prosthetics and orthotics. Only a few universities in the UK offer full-time courses, which take three or four years depending on the university. Once you’ve successfully completed your degree, you’ll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before you can start practising. 

Entry requirements for an undergraduate degree include: 

• two or three A levels, including maths, physics, biology/human biology or engineering
• five GCSEs (grades A – C), including English language, maths, and science

Or the equivalent qualifications:

• a BTEC, HND or HNC, including maths or engineering
• a relevant NVQ
• a science-based Access course
• equivalent Scottish or Irish qualifications
• a previous degree or a full practising qualification in a related area

Every university sets its own entry requirements, so it’s important to check with them directly.

A degree apprenticeship with a healthcare provider is another way to become a prosthetist or an orthotist. Apprenticeships give you the chance to earn a living while gaining your qualification.  

As well as a genuine interest in prosthetics or orthotics, you’ll need to meet the academic requirements of the apprenticeship – typically holding qualifications at Level 3.

You can search for vacancies on the NHS Jobs website and Find an Apprenticeship website. 

Your employer and the government will pay the tuition fees, so apprenticeships aren’t eligible for student grants.