The Prosthetics and Orthotics profession is allied to medicine and offers a challenging career for those who enjoy working with people. Prosthetists and orthotists are important members of the rehabilitation team and apply biomechanics in a clinical environment. Prosthetists are concerned with the replacement of a patient's limb following amputation. The artificial limb must look and function as closely to the patient's natural remaining limb as technology will allow.
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| Prosthetists create the shape of the socket by applying their knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the body and of the forces which are applied. | Orthotists create devices which support a patient's body to compensate for paralysed muscles, provide relief from pain, or prevent orthopaedic deformities from progressing. Orthotists must understand the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the human
body and the forces that may be applied to the patient's body to enhance or maintain the quality of life. Both prosthetists and orthotists need hand skills to control the interaction between devices and the individual patient. They must also understand the properties of the materials and components from which devices are made, in order to ensure safe and effective clinical practice. |
Professional Registration
In the UK , graduates of the BSc in Prosthetics and Orthotics are eligible to apply for state registration through the Health Professions Council. State registration is required to use the title of Prosthetis/Orthotist. Students and graduates can also become members of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists.
Funding
As the Prosthetic/Orthotic profession is allied to medicine, funding is in the form of a means-tested Department of Health bursary, a non-means tested student loan and the payment of tuition fees. Students from Scotland , England , Wales and Northern Ireland should apply direct to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for payment of tuition fees and for a bursary.
Scottish students should apply to SAAS for a student loan, students from England and Wales to their Local Education Authority and students from Northern Ireland to their local Education and Library Board. EU students are entitled to payment of their tuition fees only and should apply to the SAAS - they are not eligible for a bursary or a student loan. Students entering the first year are funded for clinical uniform and workshop clothing.
Structure
A newly designed Degree Course was launched in 2007. This course aims to maintain a strong practical element within the course whilst introducing a clinical placement element at an earlier point in the course. The related subjects and their content have been exhaustively reviewed. A strong project element has been introduced and the use of Web based teaching is intended to allow pactical and on tap student support.
Years 1, 2 and 3 are primarily still taught in the National Centre's custom-built premises on the University's city-centre John Anderson Campus. Years 3 and 4 comprises clinical placements based in an approved clinical facility either in the UK or abroad.
Teaching Methods
Teaching methods include seminars, web-based and face to face tutorials, laboratories and clinical practical sessions. In the practical sessions, students work as part of small teams with real patients and manufacture and fit prosthetic/orthotic devices. Assessment is by examination and coursework. Clinical work-based learning is assessed in a clinical setting. The range of assessments includes essays, written examinations, practical examinations, problem-solving, multiple choice questions, oral presentations and project work.
Career Opportunities
Graduates work for the Health Service in either NHS facilities or for commercial companies contracted to the NHS for Prosthetic/Orthotic services. Currently, career prospects are very good.