Prosthetist / orthotist (degree)

Prosthetic/ Orthotic Care

• Work with patients to analyse their needs & involve them in the design & choice of their device as appropriate
• Analyse & critically evaluate the information collected
• Analyse & compare normal & abnormal gait, locomotor function & movement using both qualitative & quantitative means
• Select & use appropriate investigation & assessment techniques, completing an accurate clinical assessment
• Develop & implement a treatment plan, adjusting & changing as required to meet the patient’s needs (including necessary practical skills)
• Assess factors important to the relevant design, using appropriate techniques to capture body shape
• Develop the model required to manufacture the device & modify/adjust the model where necessary
• Prescribe orthotic or prosthetic intervention including, where necessary, the specification for manufacture
• Undertake analyses where required for unapproved combinations or applications of components
• Recognise when devices require rectification/repair & take appropriate action
• Demonstrate a logical & systematic approach to problem solving using research reasoning to determine appropriate actions

• The structure & function of the human body, together with knowledge of health, disease, disorder & dysfunction including: human structure & function of the musculoskeletal system; the aetiology & pathophysiology of human disease & general genetic principles; & a range of disorders that are amenable to prosthetic or orthotic treatment & their limitations
• Gait, locomotor & movement functions & ways to check them
• How to undertake & record a thorough, sensitive & detailed assessment
• How to formulate & evaluate a treatment plan for a patient including setting appropriate review goals & timelines; the range of prosthetic & orthotic devices available; how to position or immobilise patients correctly for safe & effective interventions including fitting a prosthesis or orthotic device
• The theoretical basis of prosthetic & orthotic science & design; a range of techniques for capturing body shape
• The structure & properties of materials & their appropriate application to prosthetic or orthotic hardware & clinical practice; a range of modelling techniques; how to measure & adjust a model
• Biomechanical principles & the appropriate application of forces to the human body following prescription & supply of a device in a manner which makes the application of such forces safe & effective in an episode of treatment
• How to undertake analyses when required for unapproved combiniations or applications of components
• How equipment works & how to maintain it to a high standard at all times, when & where to report faults; quality control & how it applies in prosthetic/orthotic design & delivery
• The range of orthotic & prosthetic products available allowing the most appropriate product to be provided/manufactured to meet the specific needs of the patient
• How to identify changes in the fit of prostheses/orthoses over time (due to changes in the patient &/or materials) & how best to return the device to optimum effectiveness or where appropriate to renew & replace

• Work in partnership with patients to assess their needs & exercise professional judgement, utilising the best research evidence available, clinical experience & patient aspiration
• Work in partnership with patients to identify goals & agree appropriate treatment plans & that work is based on mutual respect & trust-always maintaining high standards of care
• Apply a range of communication interventions & interpersonal skills to support patients receiving prosthetic/orthotic care

• Recognise & take account of the wide range of needs a patient has including physical, psychological, social & cultural needs (recognising when to refer to other professionals)
• Demonstrate clinical reasoning & the processes that underpin decision-making & problem solving
• Recognise the value of case conferences & other methods of review

• Equality, diversity & inclusion legislation; how to treat people with dignity & respect; how to assess the nature & complexity of a patient’s needs including how to empathise with patients; understanding how disability affects & influences prosthetic & orthotic management; the requirement to adapt practice to meet the needs of patients dealing with emotional needs due to a range of circumstances & experiences
• Ways to use your judgement to develop treatment plans that reflect a patient’s needs & preferences
• How to recognise how communication affects assessment & engagement of a patient & to be able to apply a range of communication techniques; taking into account a patient’s emotional state, The stages and processes of clinical reasoning and understand how they underpin effective decision makingage, capacity, understanding, learning & physical ability, culture, ethnicity & religious beliefs
• Ways to assist the communication requirements of patients; including recognising the need to use interpersonal skills to encourage the active participation of patients; how to recognise the limits of prosthetic/orthotic practice in the context of patient care; including when not to proceed with a treatment intervention in the best interests of a patient
• The stages and processes of clinical reasoning and understand how they underpin effective decision making

Governance & Safety

• Receive, act on & make referrals (to others) as appropriate
• Practice safely, according to available evidence & within competency level, maintaining fitness to practice
• Work collaboratively in partnership with other professionals, patients & carers focussed on achieving agreed goals
• Obtain informed consent for prosthetic/orthotic care
• Safeguard patients, including vulnerable adults & children
• Conduct risk assessment of the environment, patient & the device prescribed & supplied
• Safeguard confidential information relating to patients at all times
• Maintain records that are fit for purpose & process them accordingly
• Manage & lead colleagues & staff as appropriate
• Comply with local & national standards regarding reporting of medical device failures & incidents
• Practice within the scope of HCPC Standards of proficiency
• Evaluate research & other evidence to inform practice
• Work safely, including being able to select appropriate hazard control & risk management, reduction or elimination techniques in a safe manner in accordance with health & safety legislation
• Select appropriate personal protective equipment & use it correctly
• Establish safe environments for practice, which minimise risks to service users, those treating them & others, including the use of hazard control & particularly infection control

• How to work collaboratively with those who provide services to patients; recognising the limits of prosthetic/orthotic practice & when to seek advice &/or refer to another professional
• What is meant by fitness to practice; how to work within legislation, standards, protocols & codes of conduct (e.g. Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency HCPC); the limits of your own competence & role
• How to be able to apply professional knowledge, skills & experience as part of a multi-professional team to ensure a patient’s needs are met
• What is meant by informed consent & how to secure it across the age range & in line with cognitive ability; the importance of providing patients with information that allows them to make informed decisions & safely manage their condition & supplied devices
• What is meant by duty of care; medical ethics; safeguarding of adults & children & how it applies to your role
• Health & safety legislation, policies & procedures; ways to assess risks that ensures safety & security of the prescribed device; how to balance the needs of the patient & personal risk taking; a range of evidence-based models of risk assessment related to prosthetics/orthotics & your own role
• Concepts & theories of leadership & management and how they apply the clinical environment
• How to maintain confidentiality & apply the principles of information & clinical governance
• The importance of managing records & data in accordance with legislation, protocols & best practice
• The need to participate in training, supervision & mentoring
• Quality guidelines & device design principles that apply to patient devices; incident reporting & escalation
• The national standards & legal framework within your scope of practice; including maintaining a high standard of personal professional conduct; the need to keep skills & knowledge up to date & the importance of career-long learning
• Ways to reduce occupational stress & the importance of maintaining your own health & well-being
• The value of critical reflection on practice & the need to record the outcome of such reflection
• The structure & function of health & social care services in the UK
• A range of research methodologies