51-9082.00Apprenticeship

Medical Appliance Technicians

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

Career Cluster:Healthcare & Human Services
Job Family:Production
Job Zone:Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
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Technology Tools

Autodesk AutoCADMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Word

Key Tasks

  • 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.
  • Lay out and mark dimensions of parts, using templates and precision measuring instruments.
  • Test medical supportive devices for proper alignment, movement, or biomechanical stability, using meters and alignment fixtures.
  • Fit appliances onto patients, and make any necessary adjustments.
  • Take patients' body or limb measurements for use in device construction.
  • Polish artificial limbs, braces, or supports, using grinding and buffing wheels.
  • Mix pigments to match patients' skin coloring, according to formulas, and apply mixtures to orthotic or prosthetic devices.
  • Instruct patients in use of prosthetic or orthotic devices.
  • Service or repair machinery used in the fabrication of appliances.
  • Order parts or supplies for orthotic or prosthetic devices.

Skills

Active Listening
72%
Quality Control Analysis
69%
Critical Thinking
69%
Reading Comprehension
66%
Troubleshooting
66%
Speaking
66%
Social Perceptiveness
63%
Operations Monitoring
63%
Complex Problem Solving
60%
Monitoring
56%
Judgment and Decision Making
56%
Service Orientation
53%
Coordination
50%
Instructing
50%
Repairing
50%
Time Management
50%
Active Learning
50%
Writing
50%
Equipment Maintenance
50%
Persuasion
47%
Systems Analysis
47%
Learning Strategies
47%
Mathematics
44%
Operation and Control
44%
Equipment Selection
44%
Negotiation
44%
Management of Personnel Resources
41%
Systems Evaluation
38%
Operations Analysis
35%
Technology Design
35%
Management of Material Resources
28%
Science
22%
Management of Financial Resources
22%
Installation
13%
Programming
10%

Knowledge

Production and Processing
72%
Customer and Personal Service
67%
English Language
62%
Mechanical
61%
Design
57%
Education and Training
52%
Mathematics
50%
Administration and Management
49%
Administrative
47%
Engineering and Technology
47%
Physics
47%
Building and Construction
44%
Medicine and Dentistry
43%
Computers and Electronics
41%
Public Safety and Security
41%
Chemistry
39%
Personnel and Human Resources
37%
Sales and Marketing
37%
Therapy and Counseling
35%
Communications and Media
30%
Psychology
30%
Law and Government
30%
Biology
30%
Economics and Accounting
29%
Foreign Language
27%
Transportation
25%
Telecommunications
20%
Sociology and Anthropology
17%
Fine Arts
17%
Philosophy and Theology
14%
Geography
13%
History and Archeology
12%
Food Production
9%

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Abilities

Problem Sensitivity
72%
Near Vision
72%
Oral Comprehension
72%
Deductive Reasoning
69%
Visualization
69%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
69%
Oral Expression
69%
Finger Dexterity
66%
Information Ordering
66%
Speech Clarity
63%
Speech Recognition
63%
Inductive Reasoning
63%
Manual Dexterity
63%
Multilimb Coordination
60%
Control Precision
60%
Written Comprehension
56%
Visual Color Discrimination
50%
Hearing Sensitivity
50%
Category Flexibility
50%
Depth Perception
50%
Trunk Strength
50%
Written Expression
50%
Selective Attention
50%
Originality
50%
Perceptual Speed
47%
Far Vision
47%
Auditory Attention
47%
Fluency of Ideas
47%
Mathematical Reasoning
47%
Flexibility of Closure
47%
Time Sharing
47%
Number Facility
44%
Reaction Time
44%
Static Strength
41%
Speed of Closure
41%
Wrist-Finger Speed
38%
Dynamic Strength
35%
Memorization
35%
Response Orientation
35%
Extent Flexibility
31%
Rate Control
28%
Stamina
25%
Gross Body Equilibrium
25%
Gross Body Coordination
25%
Explosive Strength
16%
Night Vision
0%
Sound Localization
0%
Peripheral Vision
0%
Spatial Orientation
0%
Speed of Limb Movement
0%
Glare Sensitivity
0%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%

Work Activities

Getting Information
76%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
72%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
72%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
68%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
67%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
66%
Thinking Creatively
65%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
65%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
65%
Controlling Machines and Processes
61%
Processing Information
60%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
58%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
58%
Assisting and Caring for Others
58%
Handling and Moving Objects
57%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
57%
Performing General Physical Activities
56%
Documenting/Recording Information
56%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
54%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
53%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
53%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
53%
Training and Teaching Others
52%
Analyzing Data or Information
51%
Scheduling Work and Activities
50%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
45%
Developing and Building Teams
45%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
44%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
43%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
40%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
40%
Working with Computers
40%
Coaching and Developing Others
39%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
39%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
39%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
36%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
32%
Performing Administrative Activities
25%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
21%
Selling or Influencing Others
21%
Staffing Organizational Units
18%

Work Context

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

96%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

94%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

89%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

87%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

85%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

85%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

85%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

85%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

84%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

83%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

82%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

82%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

81%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

80%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

74%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

72%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

72%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

71%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

71%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

70%

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

70%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

69%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

69%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

63%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

59%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

59%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

57%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

55%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

54%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

49%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

48%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

48%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

48%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

47%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

44%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

44%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

43%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

38%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

27%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

26%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

24%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

24%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

21%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

21%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

21%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

20%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

17%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

16%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

15%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

10%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

10%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

7%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

5%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

4%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

4%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

3%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

1%

Education

Associate's degree

26%

High school diploma or equivalent

21%

Bachelor's degree

18%

Interests

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

100

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

51

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

45

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

35

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

9

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

0

Work Styles

Attention to Detail
92%
Dependability
84%
Cautiousness
76%
Integrity
63%
Perseverance
53%
Achievement Orientation
47%
Cooperation
44%
Innovation
43%
Empathy
42%
Self-Control
42%
Sincerity
40%
Stress Tolerance
38%
Social Orientation
36%
Intellectual Curiosity
35%
Self-Confidence
31%
Adaptability
30%
Initiative
25%
Optimism
24%
Humility
22%
Tolerance for Ambiguity
4%
Leadership Orientation
2%

Work Values

Relationships
78%
Support
72%
Working Conditions
64%
Achievement
61%
Independence
61%
Recognition
45%

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