WHAT IS AN ORTHOTIST
What You Need to Know
An Orthotist plays a valued role in the world of healthcare. Like my image on the front page, each role is like an individual rock. Each roles plays a part that balances, or works with one another for the overall outcome of the patient. An orthotist is responsible for assessing and treating patients with a variety of orthopedic ailments to assist in their activities of daily living. We work closely with orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, family doctors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Each department that I work with have different roles and tasks. However, the overall goal is to improve the quality of life of the patient.
My Experience
After completing my 4 year undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at the University of Western Ontario. I started the Clinical Methods Program at George Brown College. After 2 years of my studies I started my residency at Active Orthopaedic Solutions in Kingston Ontario. The residency program takes two years to complete. After completion of these hours you are then eligible to sit for the certification exams. The certification exams consist of a written section and a 2 day practicum exam. Once you have successfully passed you are then a Certified Orthotist CO(c)
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After the completion of my residency my family and I relocated to the Niagara Region to work at Niagara Prosthetics and Orthotics as a practicing clinician and Manager. Both work experiences exposed me to adult and paediatric patients who have suffered from a stroke, spinal cord injury, osteoarthritis, trauma, sports injury, clubfoot, muscle paralysis, cerebral palsy, spina bifida.
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My family and I relocated for the last time to our current location which is the Greater Toronto Area where I work at the Hospital for Sick Children. This role is very specific to the paediatric population and certain orthopaedics needs. The patient population that I see are children with scoliosis, clubfoot, deformational plagiocephaly, craniosynostosis, post-operative bracing, hip dysplasia, idiopathic toe walking and cerebral palsy.
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For a detailed description of my work experience click here CV
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Related Websites
Orthotics Prosthetics Canada (OPC)
Ontario Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists
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International Association of Prosthetics and Orthotics
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Society on Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitative
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