Prosthetist/Orthotist

---

 

Prosthetist's and Orthotist's transform the lives of your patients by helping them to run, walk better or simply stand without pain. Prosthetist's and Orthotist's give back the power of movement to their patients, in a way that’s as pain-free as possible and use the latest technology to create and fit prostheses or aids. Prosthetist's and orthotist's have quite different roles but both aim to improve peoples’ ability to  move freely. Prosthetist's create and fit artificial replacements for patients who are missing a limb, while orthotist's correct problems or deformities in nerves, muscles and bones with a range of aids.

 

A day in the life

The roles are quite varied and may include:

• fitting a prosthesis for a military veteran and seeing the full rehabilitation process.
• giving a surgeon your advice when they’re performing an amputation.
• helping a diverse range of ages, from children with cerebral palsy to adults with arthritis.
• preventing a patient from needing an amputation through well-fitting splints and complex footwear.

 

 

---

 

Your development

Once you’ve qualified and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, you can choose to specialise as a prosthetist or an orthotist. You may find jobs where you can do both. You’ll have annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) check-ins, where we’ll discuss your career aspirations and plan how we can help you to achieve them, so you’re always moving forward. You may also join the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO), where you can keep your skills up to date with courses, conferences and seminars.

You may choose to specialise in sports injury, diabetes, neurological conditions, or working with children. Teaching, research and management are other career pathways.

 

---

For more information regarding joining our team, please submit a form through the ‘Contact us’ page or contact the Human Resources team, who are more than happy to help, on 02392 286577 or email hr.inbox@porthosp.nhs.uk.

 

My story

Anna Veli

Principal Maxillofacial Prosthetist

---

 

How did you become a Prosthetist? After completing my undergraduate studies in Dental Technology from the University of Athens in Greece, I enrolled at the MSc Maxillofacial & Craniofacial Technology programme from King’s College London, graduating in 2018 with Distinction.

What do you do on a day to day basis? I have over 15 years’ experience within a dental laboratory, 6 of which are within NHS and reconstructive science. I have an interest in facial prostheses and implant work, and together with the rest of our reconstructive team, I am the person behind the rehabilitation of patients suffering from any type of facial deformity (cancer, trauma, and congenital). My main focus is facial rehabilitation, orthognathic planning, trauma, and implant work (intra and extra oral).

What do you enjoy about being a Prosthetist? What I love the most about my job is the fact that I can combine my artistic skills (drawing and painting) with science and build someone’s facial and body anatomy. This not only gives confidence to my patients I can carry out their work to the highest standards, but also creates a friendly atmosphere. At the end of the day, it is all about the patients and their care. It makes me very happy to know that somehow I can make a difference in their life and help them re-enter the society after their cancer treatment.

 

---