Medical Appliance Technicians

Construct, fit, maintain, or repair medical supportive devices, such as braces, artificial limbs, joints, arch supports, and other surgical and medical appliances.

Job Task

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

Looking for a job in Medical Appliance Technicians? Check out these great job search websites. Thousands of job opportunities and reseach for a new career! Includes job search websites from Australia and internationally