Bachelor of Health Care, Prosthetist-Orthotist
The objective of the Degree Programme in Prosthetics and Orthotics is to train skilled, innovative and cooperation-minded experts in prosthetics and orthotics treatment for the Finnish social and health care system. The degree programme consists of 210 credit points and takes three and a half years to complete. Metropolia University of Applied Sciences is the only institution in Finland to provide training leading to the Prosthetist-Orthotist degree.
The Prosthetist-Orthotist as an expert
A Prosthetist-Orthotist is an expert in technical orthotics and prosthetics treatment who supports people’s ability to function and move with the help of orthotics and prosthetics. A Prosthetist-Orthotist understands the importance and possibilities of independent functioning at different stages in people’s lives and knows the effects of different illnesses on people’s ability to carry out various tasks.
Prosthetist-Orthotists are required to have the ability to interact, make decisions and be innovative and to possess technical capabilities and good handiwork skills. Moreover, they are required to be qualified in the use of information technology and to have teaching and guidance skills. Leadership skills and the ability to constantly develop oneself are also extremely important. The change in the population’s age structure and other social factors are set to increase demand for prosthetics and orthotics services. The challenge is to develop the usability of prosthetics and orthotics, to increase their effectiveness and to improve their value for money.
The Prosthetist-Orthotist’s tasks
A Prosthetist-Orthotist’s job includes the assessment of the need for prosthetics and orthotics and the provision of services based on these assessments, either as finished products or as individually designed and manufactured prostheses and orthoses. A Prosthetist-Orthotist’s responsibilities include prosthetic limbs, orthoses, movement aids, special footwear and insoles, orthoses for daily functions and orthoses used for the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases.
Prosthetist-Orthotists work in the area of social and health care as experts in their own field, employed by companies manufacturing prostheses and orthoses, the prosthetics and orthotics departments of hospitals and other institutions or different organisations. Prosthetist-Orthotists can also work as self-employed professionals or in sales and marketing tasks with companies providing prostheses and orthoses. The Prosthetist-Orthotist evaluates, in co-operation with the treating doctor and other professionals participating in the rehabilitation process, his or her customer’s ability to function and physical activity and determine their requirements and deficiencies and any potential obstacles to them. At the same time, a Prosthetist-Orthotist is required to assess the suitability of an individual’s environment to his or her activities and the usability of prostheses and orthoses.
Studies
The studies of the Degree Programme in Prosthetics and Orthotics are based on knowledge of rehabilitation and its techniques and medical and health care sciences. Various development projects, international cooperation and research activities enable students to expand their knowledge base. The key qualifications provided by the Degree Programme in Prosthetics and Orthotics are:
- Customer-oriented, multidisciplinary know-how
- The assessment of the customer’s functioning abilities and their need for prostheses and orthoses
- Prosthetics and orthotics expertise
- Working methods and knowledge of materials
- Knowledge in entrepreneurship
- Management, decision-making and documentation
- Professional development and research.
Curriculums
International equivalence
The Degree Programme in Prosthetics and Orthotics is internationally equivalent to the Bachelor’s Degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics. The Degree Programme in Prosthetics and Orthotics is part of the international Socrates exchange programme. Students have undertaken exchange studies lasting between 3 months and 1 year. Our current partners are University of Salford in Manchester, the UK, Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong, China, and Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal.
Contact information
Toni Nisula
Degree Programme Coordinator
Tel. +358 40 641 8012
toni.nisula [at] metropolia.fi (toni[dot]nisula[at]metropolia[dot]fi)