Medical Appliance Technicians

What the job really is

Construct, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices such as braces, orthotics and prosthetic devices, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-9082
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Drill and tap holes for rivets, and glue, weld, bolt, or rivet parts together to form prosthetic or orthotic devices.
• Read prescriptions or specifications to determine the type of product or device to be fabricated and the materials and tools required.
• Make orthotic or prosthetic devices, using materials such as thermoplastic and thermosetting materials, metal alloys and leather, and hand or power tools.
• Bend, form, and shape fabric or material to conform to prescribed contours of structural components.
• Construct or receive casts or impressions of patients' torsos or limbs for use as cutting and fabrication patterns.
• Repair, modify, or maintain medical supportive devices, such as artificial limbs, braces, or surgical supports, according to specifications.
• Cover or pad metal or plastic structures or devices, using coverings such as rubber, leather, felt, plastic, or fiberglass.
• Test medical supportive devices for proper alignment, movement, or biomechanical stability, using meters and alignment fixtures.
• Lay out and mark dimensions of parts, using templates and precision measuring instruments.
• Fit appliances onto patients, and make any necessary adjustments.
• Polish artificial limbs, braces, or supports, using grinding and buffing wheels.
• Take patients' body or limb measurements for use in device construction.

Tools and technology

Autodesk AutoCAD, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, 3D scanning systems, Acetylene torches, Air compressors, Alignment stands, Allen wrenches, Anvils, Arbor presses

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Dental Laboratory Technicians
• Medical Equipment Repairers
• Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
• Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
• Surgical Technologists
• Calibration Technologists and Technicians
• Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Medical Appliance Technicians — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.