Credential & Education
BC’s Prosthetists and Orthotists Provide Necessary Services
Practitioners independently provide or supervise comprehensive orthotic and prosthetic care. Orthotists and Prosthetists assess patients, plan and assisted by Technicians carry out treatment such as orthopaedic braces, surgical supports and artificial limbs. They provide treatment plans and follow‐up with patients often in coordination with other healthcare professionals to ensure successful treatment outcomes.
BC’s Prosthetists and Orthotists are certified by the Canadian Board for Certification of Prosthetists and Orthotists (CBCPO), within Orthotics and Prosthetics Canada (OPC), the regulatory body for the prosthetic and orthotic profession within Canada. Depending on the training acquired, they receive the following clinical certification:
- CP (c) = Certified Prosthetist
- CO (c) = Certified Orthotist
- CPO (c) = Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist
Orthotics and Prosthetics Canada (OPC) also regulates the technical registrations.
A Registered Orthotic and/or Prosthetic Technician is a trained professional who provides technical
expertise in the design, fabrication, maintenance and repair of orthoses/prostheses and their
components. A Registered Technician is trained and qualified to assist a certified or resident orthotic or
prosthetic practitioner by providing technical support including technical assessment and management.
The Registration designation promotes a standard of technical competence and provides recognition
within the profession.
Learn more about Orthotics and Prosthetics Canada (OPC) educational requirements for clinicians and technicians, and a list of Canadian accredited Prosthetics and Orthotics programs.
Prosthetist
Prosthetists are heath care professionals who work closely with clients who have partial or total absences of a limb. This collaboration includes an assessment of the clients’ needs in order to design individual treatment plans to improve their quality of life.
These prosthetic treatments include client assessments, design specifications with the fabrication and evaluation of a prosthesis (or artificial limb). Scheduled follow-up visits for reevaluation ensures the prosthetic treatment continues to be safe and optimizes client mobility and function. Prosthetists are part of an inter-professional team of health care professionals working to promote prosthetic education and wellness.
Orthotist
Orthotists are heath care professionals who work closely with clients with physical challenges due to problems with nerves, muscles or bones (such as neurological and musculoskeletal conditions). This collaboration includes an assessment of the clients’ needs in order to design individual treatment plans to improve their quality of life.
These orthotic treatments include client assessments, design specifications with the fabrication and evaluation of an orthosis (or splint, brace or orthopedic appliance) for the whole body – not just feet. Scheduled follow-up visits for reevaluation ensures continued proper orthotic treatment and alignment of body conditions to optimize safe client mobility and/or function. Orthotists are part of an inter-professional team of health care professionals working to promote orthotic education and wellness.