Prosthetic-Orthotic Technician
About the Program
The George Brown College Prosthetic-Orthotic Technician Program is the only technical training program in Prosthetics and Orthotics
in Canada. It is a two year diploma program which accepts twenty-five students each year. All students entering the program have at least
the equivalent of an Ontario High School Graduation Diploma. Many also have varying degrees of work related experience or have completed
a previous University or College program.
The George Brown College Prosthetic-Orthotic Technician program has supplied technical personnel for the Prosthetic and Orthotic profession for over twenty years. It is still the only full-time technical training program in Canada and one of three in North America.
The program prepares individuals in the technical aspects of Orthotic and Prosthetic management. Upon graduation the students have the initial competencies to function as an integral team member in the delivery of Orthoses and Prostheses. Graduates are also eligible to sit national registration exams after working in the profession for 2 years under the supervision of a certified practitioner.. Many graduates of the program will also pursue a desire to be a clinical practitioner in the profession and apply to the Clinical Methods in Orthotics & Prosthetics Program.
The program has many unique activities that have become fixtures in the operation of the program. Since the inception of the program
it is mandatory for all second year technical students to present a related topic in a formal setting. These "Grand
Rounds" sessions occur once a month in the presence of faculty, students, and professionals from the field.
The program has a formalized Curriculum Committee which meets regularly and includes practising technicians and clinicians. The Curriculum Committee must ensure that the Orthotic-Prosthetic Technical Program is responsive to and reflective of the most up to date technical theories in the profession.
Program Goals and Objectives
The Orthotic/Prosthetic Technician program at George Brown College prepares individuals in the technical aspects of Orthotic and Prosthetic management and in obtaining the necessary competencies to function effectively as an integral team member in the delivery of Orthoses and Prostheses.
Graduating students will have the entry level skills as an Orthotic or Prosthetic Technician to allow them to proceed towards fulfilling the necessary requirements for Registration with the Canadian Board for Certification of Prosthetists and Orthotists.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Orthotic Prosthetic Technician Program the graduate Technician will be able to:
- Perform all primary fabricating procedures such as vacuum molding, laminations, bending and aligning components, and other such processes as deemed required by the programs curriculum committee.
- Perform all required technical skills such as fastening, sanding, gluing, cutting, drilling, etc., at a reasonable competence as determined by the present standards set by the program's curriculum committee.
- Identify and perform tasks involved in the repair and maintenance of prostheses and orthoses.
- Identify and describe the common materials used in orthotic and prosthetic practise and demonstrate the proper use of such materials.
- Based on the appropriate prescription and directions of the Certified Orthotist or Prosthetist, develop an efficient and effective protocol for the fabrication of orthoses and prostheses.
- Identify and demonstrate the proper procedures, operating specifications and common safety practices in the use of machines, tools and the handling of materials required in the fabrication of orthoses and prostheses.
- Demonstrate a competent knowledge in the application and function of common orthotic and prosthetic appliances and their corresponding
components and systems.
- Demonstrate the common orthotic and prosthetic bench or static alignment procedures necessary to prepare the orthotic or prosthetic appliance for patient fitting and articulate the principles (biomechanical, anatomical, etc.) used in determining such alignments.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the pertinent biomechanical, anatomical, physiological, and pathological concepts necessary for the effective implementation of technical and clinical procedures in the delivery of orthotic and prosthetic care.
- Appreciate the need to keep abreast of new techniques and developments with respect to orthotic and prosthetic care and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the research and development of more effective prosthetic and orthotic designs and procedures.
Course Listing
Semester 1
Fabrication Theory
Materials & Laboratory Techniques
Kinesiology I
General Education Foundation
Anatomy I
College English |
Semester 2
Fabrication Theory
Materials & Laboratory Techniques
Kinesiology II
Computer Skills & Applications
Anatomy II |
Semester 3
Fabrication Theory
Materials & Laboratory Techniques
Kinesiology/Biomechanics for Technicians I
Computers Applications for Presentation & Publication
Externally Powered Prosthetics/Orthotics Techniques & Rehabilitation Technology
Pre-Graduate Work Experience I
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Semester 4
Fabrication Theory
Materials & Laboratory Techniques
Kinesiology/Biomechanics for Technicians II
Professional Issues in Orthotics/Prosthetics Prosthetic & Orthotic Seminars
Pre-Graduate Work Experience II
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Statistical Information
- Student Intake: 28 to 30
- Average No. of Applicants 150
- Classes running per year: 2
- Attrition (past five years): 25%
- Employment Record over the past 5 years: Approximately 85%
Course Stream
Selection Process
As is clearly stated in the College Calender course description, to apply for the Prosthetic-Orthotic Technician Program a candidate must have a least the equivalent of a Ontario High School Graduation Diploma with the recommendation that applicants have credits in Physics and Biology OR one can apply as a Mature Student.
For the Prosthetic-Orthotic Technician Program, those who meet the academic pre-requisites* (* determined by the George Brown College Admissions Department), will be contacted by our program directly to arrange a date for our testing process. All testing will occur at our Sunnybrook campus in U Wing OR SCIL. Please see our specific contact information and maps to our location by clicking "contact us" in the left side menu from our homepage.
The selection process will also include a Written Test encompassing questions on mathematics, physics, biology, and
english that are at a college entry level but with specific applications to our program. This written test will take place on the same day
and in the same location as the interviews and manual dexterity testing. There are no sample tests or list of references available for this
test, as it is based on high school level of competency. A outline of this test can be found at:
 homepage.mac.com/eaglesmoon/S102/S102_test.html
The interview and manual dexterity testing is as follows. The interview format involves one twenty to twenty-five minute interview for every applicant. The interviewers are for the most part professionals in the field who either teach in the program or are graduates from the program. The manual dexterity testing is comprised of a number of stations involving various tasks that normally take twenty minutes to compete.
If you have not already, we suggest you send the appropriate documentation supporting your application to us at the address below or bring it with you on your testing date. This should include a resume, letters of reference, confirmation of any related work experience, academic transcripts and any other pertinent data that we could use during our evaluative process.
Approximately twenty-eight applicants are selected for the first year class beginning in September of each calender year.
ADDRESS:
Prosthetic-Orthotic Technician Program,
George Brown College Prosthetic & Orthotic Programs
c/o SCIL/U Wing,
2075 Bayview Ave.,
Toronto, Ont. CANADA, M4N 3M5
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& Wellness
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Programs page
Revised:
October 4, 2011
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