High School student wanting to study O&P in future

High School student wanting to study O&P in future

Bill Lifford

5/13/1999

>hello my name is Christina Ritter, I am interested in becoming a CPO
>after I get out of High School. I am having some trouble finding
>information on prosthetics and orthotics in school because it is not a
>very popular career. I am writing to ask all that read this any to
>please tell me the college they went to and how long they went and how
>long they have been a CPO, CP, CO or so on


Hi Christina,

My name is Bill Lifford, and I've just recently (Jan '99) became a C.P. As
a very recent graduate, let me briefly explain to you how the O&P
educational system works:

Some schools offer bachelor's degrees in prosthetics and Orthotics. These
usually consist of two years of prerequisites and two years of P&O related
classes, studying both disciplines. You then graduate with a Bachelor of
Science in P&O. These include University of Washington (Seattle),
Southwestern University (Dallas), and I believe there is one in California
as well (I'm commuting on the train now and can't remember, I even met the
director and he's a great guy, but if you remind be I'll be happy to look
it up for you). I think it *might* be USC-San Diego, but don't hold me to
it.

Other schools are certificate programs, in which you need a bachelor's
degree with a large number of science-related prerequisites to attend.
These include Newington (Connecticut), Northwestern (Chicago), and others...
once again, I'm drawing a blank here but there are at least two others. The
length of the program varies depending upon the schools. You then study
either Prosthetics or Orthotics and have to reapply to the school to study
the other discipline.

Anyway, after you pursue either of these pathways, then you must complete a
residency program. The residency runs 12 months per discipline... so for
both your residency can last 2 years, or you can do two separate residencies
at different locations. There are a few ways to work it out. During this
residency you will use what you've learned in school as well as absorb
knowledge and experience from the staff of the facility you do the residency
in. Once you have completed your residency, you can then apply to take the
ABC exam in O or P.

I went to the Newington Certificate Program, as I already had a Bachelor of
Arts degree and I took a lot of science pre-req's at a local community
college. At Newington I studied prosthetics and then I did my residency in
prosthetics in Montgomery, Alabama for a small private O&P company. I had a
great time, learned a ton of stuff, and I just passed my ABC prosthetics
exam, so I'm very happy. I would highly recommend the program if you
already had a bachelor's degree, but seeing as how college is still a year
and a half away for you, I'd say you should investigate the colleges with
degrees in O&P.

I'd also recommend you contact the O&P National Office in Arlington,
Virginia for more info. I don't have the number here, but if you call me at
work I'll give it to you. They can send you all sorts of information.

Good luck in your future Orthotic and Prosthetic career! As a recent
graduate and C.P. I can say that I've found it tremendously worthwhile and I
love the field and my job.

Bill Lifford
ARIMED Orthotics and Prosthetics
Brooklyn, NY
718-875-8754 personal email: <Email Address Redacted>