How To Get A Job As A Medical Appliance Technician
Medical Appliance Technicians are skilled craftsmen who are responsible for building, fitting, and maintaining braces, limb supports, artificial limbs, and other medical apparatus that support the body, relieve pain, and enable individuals to function more normally in their daily lives.
Medical Appliance Technicians work in doctor’s offices, clinics, supply centers, hospitals, and in private practice. To be a successful Medical Appliance Technician, you must have excellent manual dexterity, be a good listener, be able to follow specific directions precisely, and have good communication skills. You must also be sensitive, compassionate, patient, encouraging, and supportive.
Medical Appliance Technicians receive detailed prescriptions from physicians and other medical professionals. They must read and interpret these prescriptions, meet with the patient to take measurements, and then construct whatever casts or devices are required. They must then meet with the client again, fit the device, padding and making any adjustments necessary to ensure that the device is comfortable and functional.
In constructing these devices, Medical Appliance Technicians must first make templates which are used to cut the required materials. Parts are then bent and shaped as needed. Both hand and power tools are used to cut, carve, and grind. The parts are then glued, riveted, welded or bonded, as necessary, to formulate the finished device. Precision is vital. Medical appliance Technicians give encouraging, supportive, on-going instructions to the client on how to use and care for the appliances.
Education
To become a Medical Appliance Technician, you must first obtain your high school diploma. Subject which will be useful in the profession are mathematics, English, physics, and any courses available in drawing, design or engineering construction.
It would be advantageous to get some volunteer experience in a hospital or rehabilitation center, which will give you some exposure to people who would benefit from the services of a Medical Appliance Technician. Any other related work experience would be an asset.
Colleges and some vocational centers offer training courses for Medical Appliance Technicians. These courses take from one to two years and involve both academic and practical courses. A once year course will give a Certificate, and a two year course will give an Associate Degree. As the complexity of Medical Appliances grows, Technicians are finding additional training is more in demand by employers, especially for those seeking advancement. Although some Technicians still receive only on-the-job training, formal education is preferred.
Some apprenticeship programs are available that give the perfect combination of technical knowledge and practical experience.
The demand for Medical Appliance Technicians is increasing as there is more limb loss due to longer life and such diseases as diabetes. New techniques are enabling the construction of devices unheard of in the past.
A career as a Medical Appliance Technician is an excellent choice for those with the appropriate skills and character. Remuneration and benefits are excellent.
Certification if available for those with sufficient accredited training and experience. This is voluntary.
For more information on training, go to:
