Tech Training Program responses

Tech Training Program responses

Ralph W. Nobbe, CPO

8/7/2013

Original post with de-identified responses at end:

Folks - a young man I know has the aptitude and mechanical background to
be a great technician. No interest in becoming a practitioner. He has
expressed interested in a couple of the tech programs. I have no recent
experience with any of them.

Can anyone provide me with feedback as to the thoroughness of the
current technician level training programs? Limitations?

I have already directed him to the NCOPE website.

*****
Responses separated by *** - in no particular order:

This is the best way!
The way this works is; you put this fine fellow to work as a technician
in training under your credential. Two years supervised on the job
working/training. You pay him a living wage, supply him O&P reading
material to increase his knowledge mentor him in your way of doing
prosthetic work. He interfaces with others in the field. Encourage him
or arrange for him to attend local State O&P society
meetings/workshops. Then with a simple letter from you & his high school
or college diploma he can apply to take his technician test and become a
certified technician. Voila you now have a trained certified employee
technician with a background in doing things your way. Tell him up front
at completion of his certification test he is not to expect some very
high wage increase, but incremental increases based on merit & COL,
profit sharing if your company has it, ect.
ABC Registered Technician Eligibility Criteria
Pathway 1. High school diploma or GED and a formal technician training
certificate from an NCOPE accredited program.

Pathway 2. High school diploma or GED and two years qualified experience
under the supervision of an ABC certified practitioner or registered
technician.
***
We have hired a few techs out of school. We end up re-teaching them
almost everything. A year after their their hire date the technicians
and practitioners in the office agreed that their education was a waste
of money. Just take the time to mentor this person - then they are
learning to do things the way you want.
***
Northeast metro white bear lake mn all hands on training I did in 1989 I
have a nephew going through now.
***
I had a couple techs when I was employed with RIC that were trained
through Joliet Junior College; in Joliet, Illinois. The techs from this
program seem to be really well prepared.
***
All the techs I have worked with from Francis Tuttle have been really
sharp.
On the job training in a busy lab will
Get you to the same place just as fast but requires dedication to study
anatomy.
***
We currently have a tech from the Spokane program and he is fantastic!
Really knows what he is doing and teaches us a thing or two once in a
while! I highly recommend this program and a well trained tech is
invaluable
***
The tech program at Francis Tuttle in OKC is a pretty good one. NCOPE
has kind of tied their hands somewhat but they do a good job where they
can. Another thing I like about their program is that the graduates also
leave with a pedorthic fitters (I think) certificate. It gives the tech
a little more value when being hired after graduation.
***
Call Joe Young at Francis Tuttle tech in Oklahoma City, 2yr program, he
can explain it all.
405-717-4199
State of the art facility, up to date teaching techniques
***
I was trained through Century college in MN as a tech and later became
a CPO. While I didn't fully appreciate the hours of hounding of
hounding on how to rivet, sew, file, square joints and laminate with out
air ect. I have come to understand how important and valuable it was.
Actually just riveted on a condyle strap on a TT socket (which I haven't
done like forever ago) and remembered tech school of needing to add a
removable spacer and double burr so the rivet was tight but the strap
was loose.

I thought that I could train a in house tech though didn't realize how
many little and very important things there are to learn to a good tech,
like how to use a vertical jig. My in tech is really great at the most
common things that we do pull, plastic, sewing, shaping plastic though
when is comes to metal, leather, alignment and all the small super
important small things like, squaring joints, making PVA glue or let
alone a PVA bag for a hip or a bladder Symes socket I find myself back
in the lab.

Now I graduated 18 years ago don't know if they are still teaching
leather Kemblo liners though I would hope they are still covering the
basics.
***

Now my personal opinion - for what its worth.

Being a second generation practitioner, I value hand skills and the old
school tech capability. I seem to remember that very few of the
people/patients/clients we work with are square, plumb, parallel, even,
matched, level or symmetrical. Depth and breadth of experience are
critical. Give me an individual that has worked as a jack of all
trades that can offer creative solutions and I believe they will become
a great tech.
Educational programs have to teach the traditional techniques, they
often work, when others won't. Educational programs add the
communication standards and consistency that facility training most
often cannot.

All responses were forwarded to this young man. He has the ability,
interest, and will be a great tech.

--
Rebuilding Bodies, Restoring Lives...

Ralph W. Nobbe, CPO
Nobbe Orthopedics, Inc.
3010 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 687-7508 tel
(805) 687-6251 fax
<Email Address Redacted>

www.nobbeorthopedics.com