How to hire orthotists and prosthetists
A job description you can copy, interview questions tied to the real work, and what to pay. Free.
Job description template
Copy it, fill in the brackets, and remove anything that does not fit your job. Keep only must-haves you would really turn someone away for.
[Job title] at [Company name] [City, State] · [Full-time / Part-time] · [Pay range] About the role [Two or three sentences about your team, the work and why it matters.] What you will do • Construct and fabricate appliances, or supervise others constructing the appliances. • Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients. • Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit. • Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort. • Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses. • Maintain patients' records. • Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances. • Select materials and components to be used, based on device design. What you bring • [Required license, certification or years of experience, if any] • [Education, only if you truly need it. Typical to start in this job: Master's degree] • Strong active listening, critical thinking, reading comprehension, speaking, writing and active learning skills • Working knowledge of customer and personal service, medicine and dentistry, design and therapy and counseling • [Anything else you would really turn someone away for] Pay and benefits [Pay range]. For reference, the U.S. median for this job is $38.99 an hour ($81,110 a year). [Benefits, schedule and anything else candidates should know.] How to apply [Apply on JAI Bot. Every applicant hears back.]
Interview questions for orthotists and prosthetists
Ask every candidate the same questions, in the same order, and write down what they say. Questions about past work show what someone has actually done.
- Tell me about a time you had to construct and fabricate appliances, or supervise others constructing the appliances. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to understand a request or problem that was explained poorly. How did you make sure you got it right?
- Describe a decision at work where the obvious answer was wrong. How did you work out the better choice?
- Tell me about written instructions, a policy or a manual you had to follow closely. How did you make sure you followed it correctly?
- Why this job, and why now? What would make you stay here for the long term?
Good answers name a real situation, what the person did themselves and what happened. Avoid questions about age, family plans, religion, health, national origin or anything else unrelated to the job.
What orthotists and prosthetists do
- Construct and fabricate appliances, or supervise others constructing the appliances.
- Design orthopedic and prosthetic devices, based on physicians' prescriptions and examination and measurement of patients.
- Examine, interview, and measure patients to determine their appliance needs and to identify factors that could affect appliance fit.
- Fit, test, and evaluate devices on patients, and make adjustments for proper fit, function, and comfort.
- Instruct patients in the use and care of orthoses and prostheses.
- Maintain patients' records.
- Repair, rebuild, and modify prosthetic and orthopedic appliances.
- Select materials and components to be used, based on device design.
Skills that matter most
Education, experience and outlook for orthotists and prosthetists
- Typical education to start: Master's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Internship/residency (BLS)
- Job outlook: +12.9% over ten years, much faster than average · about 700 openings a year (BLS)
What to pay orthotists and prosthetists
Pay depends a lot on where the job is. Highest and lowest median yearly pay by state:
| State | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| California | $91,820 |
| Florida | $81,370 |
| Texas | $77,220 |
See orthotists and prosthetists pay in every state
Related hiring guides
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
- Medical Appliance Technicians
- Physicians, All Other
- Podiatrists
- Audiologists
- Orthodontists
- Physical Therapist Assistants
- Paramedics
- Physical Therapists
- Prosthodontists
Post this job on JAI Bot. Free to start: JAI Bot reads every applicant against your must-haves, shows the resume evidence behind each one, and helps you reply to everyone. People make every decision.
Post a job freePay by areaJob duties and skills: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2025. Interview questions and the job description template: JAI Bot, based on the duties and skills above.