Orthotists and Prosthetists are healthcare professionals specializing in the design, fabrication, and fitting of orthopedic braces (orthoses) and artificial limbs (prostheses). They work with patients of all ages who require external support or replacement of limbs due to conditions like congenital disabilities, injuries, or diseases.
Eligibility
- Educational Qualification:
- Undergraduate Level: Candidates should have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics.
- Postgraduate Level: A Bachelor’s degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics (BPO) or a related field is typically required for admission to a master’s program.
- Age Limit: There is generally no specific age limit, but candidates should check the eligibility criteria of the specific institution they are applying to.
Selection Procedure
- Entrance Examinations:
- Admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programs often requires candidates to clear entrance exams conducted by respective universities or state bodies.
- Some institutes may accept scores from national-level exams like NEET.
- Merit-Based Admission:
- Some institutions may offer admission based on the merit of the qualifying examination (12th standard or Bachelor’s degree).
- Counseling and Interview:
- After clearing the entrance exam, candidates might have to go through a counseling process and/or a personal interview.
Job Opportunities
- Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers: Orthotists and Prosthetists work in hospitals, private clinics, and rehabilitation centers where they provide direct patient care.
- Manufacturing: They can work with companies that manufacture prosthetic and orthotic devices.
- Academic and Research Institutions: Opportunities are available in teaching and research.
- Private Practice: Many professionals set up their own clinics to provide specialized services.
- Government Agencies: Employment opportunities are also available in government health services.
Institutes for Study in India
- All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AIIPMR), Mumbai
- Offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Prosthetics and Orthotics.
- National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (NILD), Kolkata
- Provides Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (BPO) and Master of Prosthetics and Orthotics (MPO) programs.
- Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR), Cuttack
- Offers BPO and MPO courses.
- Institute of Health Sciences (IHS), Bhubaneswar
- Provides BPO and MPO programs.
- Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore
- Offers courses in Prosthetics and Orthotics.
- Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities (PDUIPH), New Delhi
- Provides BPO and MPO courses.
- Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai
- Offers Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Prosthetics and Orthotics.
A career as an Orthotist/Prosthetist is highly rewarding for those interested in healthcare and technology. It combines patient care with the technical skills required to design and fabricate medical devices, offering diverse job opportunities across various sectors