Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honours)

Domestic students:

Recent secondary education (Year 12)

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

VCE: Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.

Selection rank adjustments

VCE: A study score of 25 in any Mathematics, Physical Education, Health and Human Development or any Science equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.

Additional selection information

• Applicants seeking consideration via Work Recognition must complete all requirements listed on the La Trobe University Work Recognition webpage and submit a Personal Statement, including relevant work experience and reasons for applying for this course.
• Subject Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.
• Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.
• Successful completion of Unilearn Biology (which must include online lab activities) with an overall grade of at least 60% satisfies the Biology prerequisite for this course. Applicants who complete this course must submit a copy of their Unilearn Statement of Achievement and transcript with their application. Refer to Unilearn Biology page for further information.
• Applicants who have not successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or equivalent are ineligible to apply for this course. This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

International students:

Recent secondary education (Year 12)

Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.

English language requirements

IELTS is the only English Proficiency tests accepted for entry into this course.

Please refer to our Language requirements page for details of other accepted English proficiency tests and additional recognised English language proficiency measures, such as English as the language of instruction.

IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with no individual band score less than 6.5. (increase in IELTS score due to a change in accreditation requirements)

All applicants:

Inherent requirements

Behavioural and relational skills

Core requirement Students must be able to manage their own responses and behaviour to work effectively in a range of learning environments with diverse people and tasks. This includes the capacity to be receptive and respond appropriately to constructive feedback. Students should also be able to work with others in a team or group environment and make and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals in order to complete tasks or for professional practice. See also Student behaviours policy for more information. Course-specific requirement

Prosthetic and Orthotic students require the capacity to manage their own emotions and behaviour effectively when working with peers and individuals in practice settings.

Prosthetic and Orthotic students are required to be examined by their peers and physically examine their peers and clients (of all genders, religions, and cultural backgrounds) in teaching and clinical / hospital environments.

Effective verbal and non-verbal communication are fundamental to Prosthetics and Orthotics practice and needs to be respectful, culturally appropriate, clear, attentive, empathetic, honest, and non-judgemental.

The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues assists with building rapport with people and gaining their trust and respect in academic and professional relationships. For example, displaying consistent and appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, being mindful of space, time boundaries and body movements and gestures promotes trust in academic and professional relationships. Additionally, being sensitive to individual differences displays respect and empathy to others and develops trusting relationships.

The ability to observe and understand verbal and non -verbal cues is essential for safe and effective observation, recording and reporting of client symptoms and reactions to facilitate assessment, intervention, and treatment.

https://www.aopa.org.au/publications/competency-standards

Cognition

Students must be able to locate, acquire, retain and apply knowledge as part of their learning and for assessment. They must have the ability to sustain their attention over a designated period, maintain their focus in a variety of learning environments and remember information long enough to complete tasks in a reasonable and safe timeframe.

Safe and effective delivery of Prosthetic and Orthotic services is based on comprehensive knowledge that must be sourced, understood, and applied appropriately, this includes conceptualising and using appropriate knowledge in response to academic assessment items. It also includes appropriately applying knowledge of theory, research evidence, policies, and procedures in a range of learning and clinical environments.

Literacy skills are required to: convey spoken and written messages accurately and effectively; paraphrase, summarise and reference in accordance with appropriate academic conventions in written assignments. Additionally, effective written communication is required to ensure clinical documentation meets professional and legal requirements.

Competent application of numeracy skills is essential in Prosthetics and Orthotics to facilitate the safe and effective service delivery. Examples include recording accurate measurements in client notes; Prescribing prosthetics and orthotics devices (including componentry) that correctly meets client measurement, weight, and activity requirements.

Prosthetic and Orthotic practice requires both physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level to provide service delivery over time.

Prosthetic and Orthotic service delivery requires sufficient mental endurance to perform multiple tasks in an assigned period and the ability to perform repetitive activities with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on the activity until it is completed appropriately. Examples include participating in tutorials and lectures in a range of learning environments; Providing consistent Prosthetic and Orthotic service delivery over a negotiated time frame while on placement.

Sensory Capability

Students should possess the ability to interact with visual, auditory or tactile inputs sufficiently to manage their learning environment and to meet professional performance needs.

Prosthetic and Orthotic students require sufficient visual acuity to demonstrate the required range of skills, tasks, and assessments to maintain consistent, accurate and safe care to self and others. Visual observations, examinations and assessment are fundamental to safe and effective Prosthetic and Orthotic service delivery. Examples include observing and detecting subtle changes in posture, gait, general movement, and the ability to perform functional activities during assessment and treatment. Safely operating equipment, tools, and machinery e.g. workshop equipment – grinders, sewing machines, power tools and hand tools.

Sufficient auditory ability is necessary to monitor, assess and manage individual health needs consistently and accurately. Auditory assessments and observations are fundamental to safe and effective Prosthetics and Orthotics service delivery. Examples include ability to detect and respond to auditory warning / alarm systems; Detecting care requests by calls for help or activation of a call bell (hospital environment); Engaging appropriately to a client's responses during an assessment.

Tactile assessments and observations are fundamental to safe and effective service delivery, sufficient tactile ability is necessary to monitor, assess and detect clients' physical characteristics and act on any abnormalities detected. Prosthetics and Orthotics examples include: Detecting changes in circulation, e.g. temperature; Palpating joints, muscles, and soft tissues, and detecting anatomical or movement abnormalities; Ensuring prosthetic and orthotic devices are fitted correctly and are technically safe of client use.

Strength and mobility

Gross motor skills: Students should possess the strength, range of motion, coordination and mobility sufficient to manage their learning environment and ultimately, professional performance needs. Fine motor skills: Students should possess the manual dexterity and fine motor skills sufficient to manage their learning environment and ultimately, professional performance needs. Prosthetic and Orthotic students require sufficient gross and fine motor skills to provide, coordinate and prioritise service delivery. This includes the ability to appropriately position self, equipment, and clients to perform tasks consistently and safely to reduce risk of harm to self and others.

Tasks that involve gross motor skills include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, standing, twisting, and bending. Tasks that involved fine motor skills include being able to grasp, press, push, turn, squeeze and manipulate various objects and individuals.

Examples of gross motor skills that are important for Prosthetics and Orthotics include: Maintaining own and client's balance during assessment and treatment; Completing technical task such as fabrication and manufacture of prosthetic and orthotic devices; Evaluating clients in a safe and effective manner, who have varying physical capacity, who are positioned on plinths and hospital beds, on mats on the floor, on chairs and when standing.

Examples of fine motor skills that are required for Prosthetics and Orthotics include: Performing assessment techniques, e.g. evaluation of sensation and joint movement; Performing technical tasks, e.g. fabrication and assembly of prosthetic and orthotic devices, including the use of hand tools such as electric drills, cast saws, Allen keys and screwdrivers.

Refer specifically to AOPA Domains 2 and 3 https://www.aopa.org.au/publications/competency-standards

Prosthetic and Orthotic practice requires physical performance at a consistent and sustained level to provide service delivery over time. Prosthetics and Orthotic service delivery requires sufficient physical endurance to perform multiple tasks in an assigned period and the ability to perform repetitive activities with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on the activity until it is completed appropriately. Examples include participating in tutorials and lectures in a range of learning environments; Providing consistent Prosthetic and Orthotic service delivery over a negotiated time frame while on placement.

Graduate ready to start a rewarding career as a trained prosthetist and orthotist. Possible fields include:

• public health
• private practice
• research