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Education
Education and training
There are no established admission requirements to enter an approved training/education program. The prerequisites for recruitment to an in-firm training program differ from one place to another. Nonetheless, it is very helpful to have a high school diploma from a German secondary school.
Basically, the candidate should be receptive and have excellent manual and technical skills. He or she should be conscious of the responsibility which is pertinent to this profession. A prosthetist/orthotist is not only a craftsman utilising modern techniques, it is also someone who is permanently in contact with people who are dependent on his or her ability and understanding. Therefore, technical interest, deftness and psychological perception are all equally important for this profession.
Education
Prosthetics and orthotics (P & O) is an officially recognised occupation within the health care field according to the professional code of April 1, 1998. The education lasts 3.5 years and is concluded with an exam taken in front of the examination board of the Chamber of Skilled Crafts and Small Businesses. If the trainee has an advanced high school degree or is better qualified, it is possible to apply for a reduction of the training period.
The vocational training is based on a dual system. The characteristic of this system is that the qualifications required for the education of the trainee are obtained in a company and in a vocational school. The responsibility for the education of the trainee is assumed by the training establishment.
The description of the vocational training program is concise and clear. A basic schedule explains the content at every stage of the vocational training program in detail.
The schedule of the vocational training program provides a basis for the in-firm training. Skills and knowledge which should be conveyed to the trainee are specified in a timetable with the content in each of the phases within the base schedule. The education in the vocational school should also follow this schedule. Additionally, it is subdivided into years and the learning subjects, goals and duration guidelines for each of them.
Technical and vocational advanced education
The trainee who passes the skilled crafts examination (P & O technician) can apply in different forms to advanced education programs. Advanced education courses are available in P & O educational institutions, college or universities and evening classes are offered at the Chambers of Skilled Crafts and Small Businesses. Attending such a course opens several possibilities. The offered courses vary according to the region and the changing needs of the profession. It is therefore recommendable to ask in advance about the dates of the course at the local office of labour (Datenbank KURS data base) or at the corresponding Chamber of Skilled Crafts and Small Businesses.
Certified prosthetist/orthotist
The certification in P & O can start after three years of working experience. Only after the certification has been obtained, it is possible to act independently, own a P & O business, and be qualified to assume the vocational training of orthotist/prosthetist. The certification as a prosthetist/orthtoist can be achieved by participating in preparatory courses (evening, weekends or full time programs) which impart the required knowledge for the certification exam. Such certification preparatory courses are available in several regional Chambers of Skilled Crafts and Small Businesses.
The Federal Academy of Orthopaedic Technology (Bundesfachschhule für Orthopädie-Technik) in Dortmund, Germany offers a one-year course which includes theoretical and practical education. The course is culminated with the certification exam for orthopaedic technology and an European diploma which complies with the European education guidelines. Furthermore, continuing education in different areas of specialty within the field are offered on a continued basis.
Engineer of technical orthopaedics and rehabilitation technology
The fundamental idea of this study program at the Federal Academy of Orthopaedic Technology is the combination of technical and theoretical education. The minimum requirements to enter into this program are the completion of a prosthetist/orthotist vocational training program, four years of working experience and the examination for gifted working applicants or the advanced technical college entrance qualification with a finished skilled crafts examination.
The study program begins every year in the summer semester. If the student passes all the required examinations of the Federal Academy of Orthopaedic Technology, the Chamber of Skilled Crafts and Small Businesses and of theTechnical College the three following titles are obtained:
- Engineer of technical orthopaedics and rehabilitation technology
- Certified prosthetist/orthotist
- European diploma
