Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician Training Pathway
Building a trained technician workforce to effectively support orthotists and prosthetists through advancing technician manufacturing skills in creating devices.
This specialised training program has been designed for orthotic and/or prosthetic technicians or technical officers working in a manufacturing setting. The program provides learners with the opportunity to develop fundamental knowledge and technical skills required to work and grow within the orthotic/prosthetic sector.
The program aims to support technical staff with the development of best practice skills and increased competency and capability on course completion. Technicians create customised, fabricated devices to support the movement and quality of life for patients with physical disabilities, deformities, pain or limb loss.
Modules included in the pathway program
- Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering
- Support the use of orthoses or prostheses
- Communicate and work in health
- Recognise impact of health conditions
- Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
- Work with diverse people
- Support clinical principles in an orthotic and prosthetic setting
- Work with tools and machinery in an orthotic and prosthetic setting
- Work with materials in an orthotic and prosthetic setting
- Support fabrication practices in an orthotic and prosthetic setting
- Manufacture foot orthoses
- Manufacture leg and ankle-foot orthoses
- Manufacture spinal orthoses
- Footwear modification in an orthotic setting
- Manufacture cranial orthoses
- Foundations of manufacturing in a prosthetic setting
- Plaster work in a prosthetic setting
- Socket fabrication and lamination in a prosthetic setting
- Componentry and alignment in a prosthetic setting
- Finishing in a prosthetic setting
- Digital manufacturing in an orthotic and prosthetic setting
- Support the use of composite laminations in an orthotic and prosthetic setting
Program details
- The content is hosted and delivered online
- Assessments are undertaken in the workplace and submitted to HETI for review and marking
- Course completion time: 12 - 24 months
- Self-paced learning
- Online e-learning modules that include MCQ and short answer written assessments
- Practical application through on-the-job learning
- Workplace activities and competency assessments
- A certificate is issued on completion of each module
- Must be working in a technician role within a NSW Health orthotic or prosthetic service, workshop or manufacturing facility
- Must nominate a registered orthotist or prosthetist as a clinical supervisor
- Submit an expression of interest via the registration e-form
Contacts
Training Coordinator
T: 02 9844 6172
E: heti-alliedhealth@health.nsw.gov.au
Ambreen Khan
T: 02 9844 6172
E: ambreen.khan1@health.nsw.gov.au
Sue Aldrich
E: sue.aldrich@health.nsw.gov.au
"The training provides technicians with the tools to ensure they have a solid foundation of knowledge to build from. It also promotes retention of technicians as it creates a culture of growth and development in this workforce, rather than a halfway stop to another job."
- NSW Health Supervisor / Clinician (Evaluation of The Orthotic and Prosthetic Technician Training Pathway, 2024)
