Prosthetist and orthotist
Level 6 · DegreeHealth and science 4 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 6 degree apprenticeship qualifies you as a registered Prosthetist and Orthotist (HCPC-registered), assessing, designing, and fitting artificial limbs and orthotic devices for patients across the NHS and independent sector. You will use clinical assessment, biomechanical knowledge, and manufacturing skill to restore function and improve quality of life for patients with complex needs. Completion leads to HCPC registration with pathways into specialist limb centres, sports prosthetics, or clinical research.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Prosthetic and orthotic clinical assessment and gait analysis methods
Biomechanics of the human body and how devices restore or support function
Design and prescription of complex prosthetic and orthotic solutions
Clinical fabrication techniques and use of advanced materials and CAD/CAM
Patient-centred care, shared decision-making, and rehabilitation in P&O
Research methods and evidence-based practice in prosthetics and orthotics
HCPC professional standards, ethics, and clinical governance
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Assess patients' clinical needs, gait, and functional requirements in clinic
Prescribe and design bespoke prosthetic or orthotic devices for individual patients
Take casts, scans, and measurements for custom device manufacture
Fit, align, and adjust devices and evaluate outcomes with patients
Manage a clinical caseload across amputation, neurological, and paediatric specialisms
Collaborate with physiotherapists, surgeons, and occupational therapists in MDT care
Maintain HCPC-compliant clinical records and contribute to service improvement
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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